A mission is the driving force that impacts everything. A mission statement instructs us in what to do; God leads us to fulfill our mission given our uniqueness.
Discovery’s Mission Statement Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
A Vision Statement is more about how we believe. A vision statement is a picture of our taste of heaven hitting earth. It is a picture given from the mind of God of what He desires our church to be and do. Discovery’s vision statement is continuous in nature. We are in a process of spiritual growth that does not end. This process is necessary to have a vital ministry. It begins with Christ and continues with His followers.
Discovery’s Vision Statement
Reaching the lost, Reproducing disciples, and bringing Restoration to all.
Reaching the Lost
God gave to His community a parting command to bring the good news of the salvation of Jesus to all the world (Matthew 28:18-20). To have salvation with Jesus is to have an abundance life now and eternal life in the future. We are called to share this new life in Jesus with the whole world—with those near us and with those who are far away.
The community of Jesus is on mission with God to reach this world. Every disciple is a missionary.
Every ministry must include the mission to seek and to save those who are lost. God’s work and the mission He calls us to, involves movement and action. We strive to reach the lost by supporting domestic and international missions, encouraging members for short-term and long-term missions. We serve our local community with acts of love and grace. We build bridges with our local community by providing a verbal witness of the good news of salvation and Jesus, and by living as a church community that lives out the plan of God to a watching world.
Reproducing Disciples
Jesus is the Son of God in the flesh, the perfect example of what God the Father is like (in the historical context of the rabbinic tradition). As part of God’s community, we strive to be like Jesus. A disciple is one who follows with their heart and soul and might. A disciple strives to bring every thought, every action, and every attitude under the image of Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate example of how to live a life of gratitude. He is whom we imitate. Following Jesus means change. God longs for transformation in His followers. Spiritual growth, like physical growth, requires change. When a plant stops changing and growing it dies. When a Jesus’ follower stops changing, they begin to die spiritually. God longs for us to grow in Jesus’ image and passion and to help others in this spiritual transformation of their entire being.
Restoring Hope
Hope has to do with a journey, an incredible journey with Jesus. Hope has to do with becoming the person God wants me to be. Hope sustains those who are being shaped and chiseled into the disciple that Father God longs for. Our hope is not just that we will make it to heaven. Hope is so much more. Our hope has to do with who we are with the power of the Holy Spirit and to whom we belong. We belong to Jesus, our Savior and King.
As disciples of God, we strive to restore hope in this world. We are being used by God to bring restoration from brokenness. We seek the use of prayer to bring healing and restoration to individual lives. We seek to take steps of action which brings redemption to spheres of power and influence in this world. We take seriously that this world belongs to God and that His power can bring change and hope to people, groups, and institutions.