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“We, as co-workers with Christ, aim to help all people in the Toowoomba region
experience the love of God in an ever-deepening relationship with Him”
Back in 1999 our leadership team began planning for our future. Through this process of prayer, discussion and planning, God has been revealing His heart for us. We are faced with many possibilities for further growth and for the development of new ministries in such areas as singles, children, creative arts and counselling. But before we look at these ideas or strategies, we must know why we exist as a Church. What has God called us to be? What does He want us to do? What is our purpose, our reason, our mission? The mission statement quoted here defines our purpose, based on our understanding of the Bible and reflecting our unique style as a Church. Let us briefly explain some of the key phrases:
“co-workers with Christ”
Right up front we are saying that this mission can only be achieved together with the help of Christ. We need Him and we need each other. In the end this is His mission expressed through us as a local community of believers.
“all people in the Toowoomba region”
Our heart is that all kinds of people might come to know and experience God’s love through the ministry of this Church. Some may have no knowledge of God or the Bible at all; others may have known Christ but fallen away. Others may be struggling with hurt or rejection or disappointment with God. We want to share God’s love and truth with all kinds of people, and that even includes people who are part of our congregation already - one another. In essence we are saying that all people, wherever they are at, need to know the love of God.
”Experience the love of God”
We believe that God is real and is not just a doctrine or idea. The love of God is experienced in many ways, seen and unseen, practical and spiritual. We experience God’s love by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:4) and by the love of others (1 John 3:18, 4:7ff.). This comes through prayer, care, teaching, fellowship, worship, acts of mercy and much more. Jesus wants us to live in an experience of His love; to abide in him; and to share his love with others. He said we are more than his servants, we are his friends (John 15:15). He then told us to ”love each another” (v.16) and to ”love our enemies” (Matthew 5:44).
The big question we all must ask ourselves is this; ”how is my life, or my ministry, or the Church program I am involved in, helping people experience the love of God?” When we can answer this question we are discovering our part in the mission of Christ’s Church here at HumeRidge.
“ever-deepening relationship with Him”
Peter exhorts us to ”grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Wherever we are and whatever we have learned, there is still more. My prayer would be that we walk beside people at different stages of their journey with Christ, helping them to move a little further on with Him.
Dale White (February 2001)
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