The Ambassadors Church

Galindo analyzes that the fundamental “mission” of a congregation is the same as any other congregation that exists in any part of the world. He argues that though every congregation has a mission and a vision, at the same time, it shares a basic common mission. (43) This reminds me of my home church The First Church of Evanston and my Field Site, The Evanston Vineyard Church. Both churches have a common mission of welcoming people to the church, irrespective of their ethnic, cultural, racial, and economic and, gender backgrounds. The mission is to help people be received in the house of God with due and deserved Christian love so that they feel loved and welcomed. Both these churches encourage church attendees to attend the service and receive the Eucharist.

For 17 years God has blessed me to serve alongside my husband as directors of Chi Alpha at the University of Texas at Arlington. During my time here, I have served and mentored hundreds of young women and internationals who now fulfill the mission of Chi Alpha in the marketplace and the world as pastors, missionaries, police officers, nurses, teachers, and social workers. I am especially thankful to walk with those students who came to faith, experienced discipleship, and the Holy Spirit empowered their lives through the ministry.

First, we thank God for our Pastor’s inspiration and leadership. She has truly taught us what Christian fellowship is all about.

It appears the Holy Spirit has graciously lead me into your midst for my required internship this academic year. As a student at United Theological Seminary for a second masters in Religious Leadership, I am writing to you today to tell you a little bit about myself.

Howell in his article “The Role of the Black Minister in his Parish Ministry” suggests that the African American Pastor is the head of his church. He is the chief staff person and, in some churches, the only professionally employed person. It is expected of him/her to be able to carry the church forward. The pastor must be the guiding personality in the congregation. The pastor’s administrative role unlocks many complications for his/her ministry to the people. As he/she directs the members in planning and implementing the program, many occasions are presented for comforting and aiding the religious needs of groups and

May 1, 2016, the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, located in Greenwood (S.C.) County will celebrate its 142nd church anniversary. Many years Mt. Olive have been a church that loved people, gave without limits and took great care of its members. The last five of those one hundred and forty-two years, I have been honored to serve as pastor of this great church. Although this is a great church, Mt. Olive and many churches like it are plagued with a disease that has slowly, but surely, causing the church to drift further away from God and fall deeper into the ways of the world. This epidemic is known as “tradition”. Churches that are bound by tradition and not led by the Holy Spirit will find themselves missing the mark of what God has called us to do. The bible is filled with instructions for the church, but as Christians and Disciples of Christ, Matthew 28 is the foundation upon which we should be operating on in the church as well as in our lives. The Great Commission challenges us to “go, teach and preach to all nations.” Traditional churches will allow church tradition to dictate biblical doctrine. It will allow the church to argue about who’s right instead of what’s right. Sadly, church success has been based on structure and finances rather than saving lost souls.

He has not failed in his jurisdictional responsibilities in any way. Most importantly, President Lewis is a lover and promoter of the children, youth, young adults, and youth leaders of Northern Mississippi. He has created, developed, and fostered a holistic youth ministry, all by the leading of God’s Spirit. Through his leadership, our young people and youth leaders are equipped and prepared to be assets to their local churches, districts, jurisdiction, their communities, and the world. President Lewis constantly encourages the youth to “Get Their Learning but Never Forget Their Burning.” His faithfulness has not gone unnoticed. The National Church also looks to President Lewis’ exemplary leadership and he has been called to serve in various capacities. For the past 4 years, he has served as the President for the International Youth Department’s Southern Region, having served as Vice President for the previous 8 years. President Lewis also serves as Co-Chairman of the National Coalition of Jurisdictional Presidents and Co-Chairman of Regional Presidents. Still, he has NEVER neglected his duties back home. Indeed, President Lewis has become a respected churchman and a seasoned father to a new generation of sanctified leaders within the Church of God in Christ, Incorporated and

However, they remained faithful to their ultimate mission of the church to make believers in among all peoples and all nations. There forth, this has become the mission statement of the A.M.E. Church .

The Lord has called Brother Edward Wright to be your Pastor and Teacher here at Cedar Grove Baptist Church. He has been called by God and recognized by you, the congregation, to be your under-shepherd. He has a high calling from God to lead you and to love you and has an even greater accountability for his service here to our Savior in the Day he stands before Christ.

Within the context of American society, we have strayed from the true purpose and identity of what the church was originally created to be. When we hear the word, “church,” we think of a building, a mere location where believers gather together every Sunday. The church of America might believe the essential elements of the church are an air-conditioned sanctuary, ten different ministry opportunities, and a full band to lead worship. While none of these things are necessarily bad, they do not comprise the biblical model of what the church was created to be. The church can be divided into two components: the Universal Church and the local church. Once a person becomes a believer, they are part of the Universal Church, the body of believers

In August 1999, a place of study and worship was secured to ensure consistent preaching, teaching, and understanding of God’s word. The manifestation of Agape 1 Church of Christ, Incorporated was the answer to a call by God on the life of Elder Howwin Carter, Jr. and

I was greeted by, and conversed with, different patrons on each of my visits. This is unusual for me because I typically am not approached by strangers, I am not complaining. I was also offered unconsecrated bread by different practitioners on each visit which was the best tasting bread I have had during a church service. The thing that impressed me most, however, was the church member’s commitment to their surrounding community. They welcome anyone to their services, to the coffee hour afterward, to their annual block party, which they host, and to their harvest Sundays, where they collect food from their patrons and feed the local homeless population. The connection with their surrounding neighborhood is strong, but what is truly unique is the connection the congregation has with one another. For example, on the first Sunday I attended after the service was completed I remained in the nave to photograph and watch the community. I talked to one man about his conversion to Orthodoxy as the priest was consoling a young man who seemed distraught. This seemed to change the church from its ritual space to a community space of self or group

Beginning on August 16th, we will begin a Bible study immediately following Sunday evening services entitled "Follow Me" by Dr. David Platt. It is my prayer that through this Bible study, God will give His believers the boldness to step away from cultural (comfortable) Christianity and compel them to be completely committed followers of Christ who unashamedly fulfill the Great Commission.

Leaders are appointed to serve here on earth on behalf of Christ since Christ is the good and chief shepherd. Leaders should lead the believers based on how Christ related with the church when he was on earth[5]. Shepherds had to feed the people of God and to protect them from predators[6]. Churches today ought to do things how the New Testament churches did[7].

Furthermore, it is vitally crucial for the church leadership to clearly articulate its missional vision, which is to be embraced by the rest of the church’s community. The process of spiritual transformation starts from the invitation and continues through engagement and discipleship. This transformational process embodies the missional vision and the language for 'right now ' and 'here '. Surely, the church’s vision ought to be aligned with the missional attributes of the gospel itself, which are 'the good news is for everyone ' and 'belonging before believing '. Our witness should take place amidst relationship and listening. One principle that I consider to be exceptionally useful in my community is St. Patrick’s idea of Celtic Evangelism: establish community, engage in conversation, and invite commitment (2009, 101).