"A community of people with a growing faith in Jesus Christ 
as Lord & Savior, and part of the worldwide body of Christ."

All people are sinners, however, through repentance and asking to be forgiven, God wants everyone to come to a personal relationship with Him, through faith in Jesus Christ. (1)

The source of growth in our relationship with Christ is the Word of God as illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Every believer seeks full devotion to Christ through the Bible. (2)

We are to love one another as Jesus Christ loves us and by witnessing our love, the lost can find Christ. (3)

We exist to glorify God in everything that we do. (4)

Our talents and resources are provided by God to accomplish His will. He calls all to serve according to their gifts. (5)

God calls us to worship together. There is no way to experience His full glory without group worship. (6)

All people should feel welcome, needed and fulfilled in the body of Christ. (7) 

God has entrusted believers to reach the lost with the Good News about Christ. As people and as a church, we strive to reach our communities, our state, our country, and the whole world for Christ. (8)

Purpose

"To love God and bring glory to Him by making Disciples" (9)

Mission

"With passion in action and word, love all people, reach them with the knowledge of Christ and teach them to grow in Jesus Christ"

"Mission Motto"

"Connecting People with God and His Family!"

Practical Application

Our church will structure to carry out our mission under 5 coordinated activities according to God's directive:

Mission: We strive to reach the lost with God's love

Ministry: We serve our community of faith

Fellowship: We encourage each other in God's love 

Worship: We show love and admiration to God through action and word

Discipleship: We challenge each other to grow in our understanding of God and His mission 

General Philosophy

Being a Church directed by God's Word and led by His Spirit, we want to glorify Him by building meaningful relationships within our community of faith and among people of our region and world, and to encourage them to place their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Together we can experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit as we 
journey through life in faith.

With His empowering, we will learn to accomplish God's directives for this life He has given us. Since God desires all to be part of His family we must be genuine in our love. All that we do should be guided by our Purpose and Mission, clearly distinctive because of how we think, act and feel toward others (worldview). God calls everyone to be part of His family. 

Of those who choose to join, each has a unique way of serving the rest of the community (ministry) and the world (mission). Based on our vision, leaders in our faith community will continually evaluate, discern and give clear direction to the church and its various groups, so that all -- regardless of status or age -- will be challenged to join together, using their talents to further our unique mission on this earth. Therefore, it is imperative that every person who is a part of the church understands who we are and what we are here for and that everything we do is focused on and directed by our Purpose and Mission.

Strategy for Growing
our Community of Faith

We realize that the family unit has been and continues to be an integral part of our communities, whose vigor, history and culture revolves around family ties. We need to be a church that is focused on the family by welcoming people regardless of their background or their biological connection. We do this the same way families have been built throughout history -- by first meeting the needs of its most dependent members, the children. Statistics show that most people come to know Christ at or before the age of 14, so it is imperative that we focus on this age group. As children grow up having built relationships through the church, they will more likely continue in the youth program through their high school years. Through this process, we have the opportunity to bring many to new birth at an early age, continue the excitement and growth through their high school years, and provide a grounding in Christ as they leave the community, go to college, enter the workforce or begin their own families. Regardless of residency, they would be prepared to become an active part of His church. 

By focusing on children, we in turn create the opportunity to connect with the rest of the family. Young children's dependence on parents/guardians and older siblings provide multiple opportunities for reaching youth and adult family members. While they enjoy greater independence they also face societal pressures to fit in, to succeed and to fulfill adult responsibilities. Every opportunity should be taken to welcome and engage youth and adult family members in programming involving the children. Children's programming can provide common ground to allow older family members to reach a level of comfort with the Archbold Evangelical Mennonite Church (AEMC) that could lead to involvement in youth and adult programming where they can be discipled and remain a part of the church. This makes for a perpetual church and a perpetual mission. 

To fulfill our mission, live our philosophy and implement our strategy there must be a vision for our church that provides clear direction for today as well as the future. Specific goals will be set for the different areas of the church. These goals, as well as the strategies to accomplish them, must be able to be expanded upon or restrained, depending on how God is leading.

Tactical Vision For Growth

Prompted from God*s Word, and seeking to be found faithful, we the community of AEMC:

Will seek to connect people who are at various places in their journey, so that they may be encouraged to move into 1) a relationship with God and/or 
2) a more intimate level in their relationship with God.

Will engage ourselves with our communities by meeting mission opportunities, so that we might build relationships with those who have not yet realized the love of God in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. (mission)

Will provide opportunities of meaningful service within the community of faith by assisting those who are growing in the discovery of their unique, 
God given abilities. (ministry)

Will train ourselves to love those inside the family of God and demonstrate 
our love for God and each other through, intercessory prayer, thoughtful 
encouragement and caring for each other. In so doing, we provide an 
alternative to the worldly mindset of individualism and apathy, and model 
Jesus' life and love to others. (fellowship)

Will provide meaningful times to show love and admiration to God for all of 
our target audiences. (worship)

Will offer educational and experiential training for deepening our 
understanding of who God is and how He desires to relate to us, work with us, and use us for His mission. (discipleship)

Will encourage an attitude of self denial and surrender to the power and 
leading of God through all our endeavors, individually, corporately and 
globally.

More Specifically:

In Mark10:14-15 "Jesus was indignant [and] said to them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'" (10)

1. We will pray for God's heart for the children of our region with
    an attractiveness in programming, events and relationships that is 
    unmatched! We will offer programs and opportunities for children to 
    experience the love of God through Jesus Christ in all that we do. We will 
    have facilities that children crave to come to. We will have staff*
    that exudes the joy of the Lord to children.

2. In so doing, we will create opportunities and relationship building arenas 
    that will relate to children's parents. The children's programs will have 
    events throughout each year that will encourage parent participation. At 
    these events, we will plan for Gospel sharing experiences (personally or 
    corporately or both). Our facilities, programs and staff* will not
    only attract parents but also nurture them and their families. 

3. Realizing that children grow up, we will be known for high quality Junior 
    and Senior High programming. We will have teen-gripping programs, 
    facilities and staff* that live, eat and breathe youth programming.

4. We will seek to staff*, understand, evaluate and develop missions, 
    ministries, programs and facilities for post high school programming in
    our region. 

5. For our older adults, we will offer continued opportunities to grow in 
    Christ, to receive love and encouragement from the Body, and to utilize 
    their gifts and resources through counsel, mentoring, discipleship and 
    fellowship.

6. We will strive to understand the un-churched and the de-churched mind, 
    so that we can better plan for reaching and training them. 

7. Our staffing* will reflect our heart to see disciples made of all   
    generations, reaching them, training them and sending them into mission
    and ministry in our region and beyond. 

8. Beyond these specific targets, we would employ the prior tactical vision to 
    provide rounded and grounded discipling for all ages, and all spiritual 
    stages.

(*Staff(ing) refers to both paid and volunteer staff)

Bibliography of 
Supporting Scripture

(1) Romans 3:23-26 "For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet now God in His gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed His blood, sacrificing His life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when He did not punish those who sinned in former times. And He is entirely fair and just in this present time when He declares sinners to be right in His sight because they believe in Jesus."
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord isn't really being slow about His promise to return, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent."
Romans 10:9-10 "For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." 
Luke 24:47 "With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to Me.'"

(2) 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do."
1 John 2:20, 27 "'...for the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and all of you know the truth.'" "'You have received the Holy Spirit, and He lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what He teaches is true--it is not a lie. So continue in what He has taught you, and continue to live in Christ.'"

(3) John 13:34-45 "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples." 
1 John 4:11-12 "We surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love has been brought to full expression through us."

(4) 1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

(5) Romans 12:6-11 "God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically."
1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 24-31 "And now, dear brothers and sisters, I will write about the special abilities the Holy Spirit gives to each of us, for I must correct your misunderstandings about them. You know that when you were still pagans you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. So I want you to know how to discern what is truly from God: No one speaking by the Spirit of God can curse Jesus, and no one is able to say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another He gives the gift of special knowledge. The Spirit gives special faith to another, and to someone else He gives the power to heal the sick. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that is speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, and another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have....So God has put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. Here is a list of some of the members that God has placed in the body of Christ: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who can get others to work together, those who speak in unknown languages. Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a prophet? No. Are all teachers? Does everyone have the power to do miracles? Does everyone have the gift of healing? Of course not. Does God give all of us the ability to speak in unknown languages? Can everyone interpret unknown languages? No! And in any event, you should desire the most helpful gifts."

(5) Ephesians 4:11-13 "He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.  Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ."

(6) Psalm 95:6-7 "Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for He is our God. We are the people He watches over, the sheep under His care."
John 4:23-24 "True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship Him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth."
(7) Ephesians 4:11-16 "He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Under His direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."

(8) Mark 16:15-16a "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved."
Romans 16:25-26 "God is able to make you strong, just as the Good News says. It is the message about Jesus Christ and His plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they might believe and obey Christ."
1 Peter 3:15-16 "If you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 16 But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way."

(9) Matthew 22:37-40 "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
Mathew 28:18-20 The Great Commission "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and 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.'"
1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

(10) Mark10:14-15: " Jesus was indignant [and] said to them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'"