The Heart of EQUIP

The most frequently asked question we get is where will you be? Right now, we don't know. We haven't had the chance to talk to anyone on the westside to see what our options are and God hasn't given us a clear direction on that yet. We're open to whatever may come our way at this time.

God has created a wide variety of churches with unique styles, focuses, and visions to reach a wide variety of individuals. I've already shared our vision, so let's go a little deeper into the heart of EQUIP and talk about our values, the things that are important to us.

1. Called to keep the focus on God
Acts 4: 24, “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.”

Prayer will be a primary focus, keeping the first things always first. Our posture will be to worship, seek, and wait. Quality time will be made for this priority.

2. Called to make disciples
Mat. 28:19 “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 . . .”

Teaching disciples to become disciple makers. This process will be intentional and strategic. The goal is to make leaders who will make leaders. Discipleship will happen both in one-on-one relationships and in small groups.

3. Called to be together
Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Creating an atmosphere for growth, where people can thrive, and be equipped. A place where all are accepted, know they belong, heal, become equipped, and where they will be sent out. Diversities in the body will be celebrated.

Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Acts 4:32 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”

We will teach the body to be focused and committed to the world-wide church.

4. Called to “Health”
Acts 2:42-47 “. . . And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Healthy church multiplication should be a natural, normal happening.
We desire to be a deep church where size is not the goal. By going deep with people and developing intimacy with God and with others in the body, they will want to share the good news with others, discipling them, and those disciples will in turn disciple others and multiplication will occur. With this multiplication, strong leaders will be developed and it is our goal that we will birth our first healthy daughter church, and continue to birth other churches and see these daughter churches birth other churches.

I'll probably start sharing other things and interspersing with EQUIP news as things happen. We covet your prayers for this little bud of a church about to bloom. Blessings on this beautiful Saturday.