The values listed here reflect some of the things that are most important to those committed to the vision of Outreach Center.  We believe Christian values flow from the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the character of the Kingdom He has established.  They form the boundaries within which we operate.  The list is not all-inclusive, but it gives insight into our heart, philosophy and character.

The Bible

The Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired (God breathed), and is our standard and final authority in all matters of life and ministry (II Tim. 3:16-17).  We are fully committed to its understanding and practice.  What we know about His Word is not as important as what we do in response to the instruction of His Word.  We will spend little or no time disputing matters that have little relevance to the clear instruction that God has given us on basic and essential issues.  Where there are differences of interpretation and application, we believe love should mediate.

Christian Community

When we make a committment to Jesus, we are committing to His Body, the Church.  We believe that small groups of Christians, called Basic Christian Communities or Cells, provide the best structure for functioning as the Body of Christ.  In Cell Life, we desire to encounter the Living Christ in the midst of His people.  Scripture is applied, and the Body is edified through the workings of the Spirit and His gifts.  We believe that much of the growth and maturing process of the believer takes place within the context of these Christian communities.  God uses relationships with others to encourage, strengthen, protect, and help us grow in Him.  The reality of our faith is best expressed in how we love one another.  In this process we recognize the importance and value of each individual regardless of personal status, race, age and gender.  All are one body.  Godly character and the fruit of the Spirit, not just giftings and abilities, are the true signs of maturity.  Those committed to the vision of Outreach Center are expected to participate in Basic Christian Community—Cell Life.

Worship

As people of God, our first priority is to worship Him.  He is to hold the place of highest honor in our midst.  We are committed to a lifestyle of worship which flows from our relationship with God.  In our worship we express who He is, what He has done and what he continues to do.  All ministries should flow out of our worshipful relationship with Him.

Leadership

Jesus Christ is the head of the Churhc and is our Chief Shephered.  All leadership is accountable to Him.  A leader should exhibit a servant’s heart, model humility and obedience, and lead by example.

We believe a plurality of leadership is the New Testament pattern; therefore, the responsibility to oversee this fellowship will be shared by a team of Servant Leaders (elders).  They will seek to be sensitive to the needs of the body and will seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the direction of the fellowship.

Women

In the kingdom of God there is “neither male nor female” be we are “all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).  We recognize that important role of women in the ministry of Jesus and the early church.  Therefore, we affirm women as full partners in the grace and ministry of the Lord.

Family

We place great value on family.  It is God’s idea.  God established and blessed the family.  Satan desires to destroy the family, for it reflects the very heart and image of God in unity, diversity and relationship.  God desires to work through the family; therefore, we are committed to building strong family relationships.

We believe it is primarily the parents’ calling to disciple their children.  As a fellowship, we will partner with parents in that calling so that we might see the whole family brought into a deeper, fuller, more loving relationship with each other and Jesus.

Prayer

We place great empahsis on prayer since it is the lifeline of the individual and the church body.  Through prayer we are linked to the supernatural power of God.  Unless we function as a praying church we will operate in human energy rather than divine power.

Through prayer and God’s Word we receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit which enables us to live righteous lives and participate in His Kingdom work.

Evangelism & Discipleship

Jesus commanded us to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.  Evangelism is the first step in the process of discipleship and should never by separated from it.  It is the work of each individual, as well as the church, to reach out to the lost and unbelieving, to bring them to saving faith and then nurture and equip them for life and service.  The first focus of our evangelism should be to our family, friends, co-workers, and others where we live.  It should then extend to the uttermost parts of the world (Acts 1:8).  We believe the process of discipleship best takes place within the context of caring relationships which are surrounded by a loving, accepting Christian community.

Spiritual Gifts

We believe God continues to grace His church with spiritual gifts.  Their purpose is to edify the body of Christ, equip it for ministry and glorify Jesus.  The Spirit’s giftings are meant to encompass the whole of Christian life and service.  Their full scope involves both the miraculous endowments of the Holy Spirit (I Cor 12:8-10) and other special enablements for practical service and ministry (Rom 12:3-8, Eph. 4:11).  All members of the body are important, yet no one gift is bestowed upon all; therefore, the body is balanced.  No one person has all the gifts; therefore, humility operates.  Gifts operate in spiritual power rather than human ability so that only God is honored.  They should be exercised within the guidelines of Scripture, never be substituted for the fruit of the Spirit, and should result in the unification and edification of the Body of Christ.

Healing

God is our healer.  All healing comes from Him.  The healing ministry of Jesus is to the whole person, which includes the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.  We are to be channels of God’s healing power through prayer for the sick and the ministry of deliverance to those held in bondage by the enemy.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

Lifestyle

We desire to be a people whose lifestyle constantly reflects a commitment to the Lordship of Christ.  In this, godly character and values give credibility to giftings and ministry.  It is our responsibility to be shaped by the values of His Kingdom and not by the values of this culture.  We are to be salt and light to this world, a fellowship where His Holiness is not compromised and His Mercy is not restrained.

Stewardship

We believe in New Testament stewardship and understand that God has entrusted to each individual Christian all that they have in possessions, talents, gifts and time.  Those committed to Outreach Center have agreed together to give tithes and offerings out of generous and cheerful hearts for this on-going work and ministry.

Equiping & Ministry

We believe that every Christian is a minister and priest before God with spiritual giftings and ministry.  Our goal is to see believers edify and build up the Body of Christ and reach out to evangelize the unsaved.  Therefore, we are committed to equip the people of God for their work of ministry.  Effective equipping is not simply intellectual but must include modeling and ministry experience.

Miracles

We expect God to both indwell and empower His church in miraculous ways that transcend human reason and scientific explanation.  We do not demand miracles as a validation of God’s presence or power nor as a reward for serving God.  However, miracles are an expression of the changeless God who is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Therefore, we believe that God’s works of power continue today.  There are enough miracles to remind man that God can supernaturally break into the physical world but not so many as to allow man to escape the “fellowship of His suffering”.  We seek to verify acts of God’s power and are willing to determine what is a true miracle, what is misinterpretation, what is fabrication, what is manipulation by a false miracle worker and what is the deception of Satan.

Summary

Outreach Center is committed to the organism over the organization.  We believe the best structure is on the supports the restoration, healing and growth of people.  We are committed to growing as a fellowship on the basis of ministry to one another.  We believe we are “created unto good works”; therefore, the focus of our ministry will be outward.  We do not exist unto ourselves; instead we are called to follow the example set by Jesus the originator and perfecter of our faith.  We, at Outreach Center, realize that our expression of biblical Christianity is one among others in the world-wide Body of Christ.  Ours is a particular call, and Outreach Center is for those who hear that call.