Our Purpose and our Process
Our purpose is to Love Jesus and Love people as we Gather, Grow, Give, and Go.
Our purpose and process are the same. We believe our purpose is to Love Jesus and Love people (The Great Commandment) by gathering, growing, giving, and going. We believe we are called to carry out our purpose through the process of gathering, growing, giving, and going.
Our logo shows what is important to us. The four curves around the cross symbolize the movement each person in our church will experience as they move from Gather to Grow to Give, and to Go, all centered on the cross of Christ. The cross is central to us and conveys that because Jesus first loved us, so we too love Him in return and must love the people around us.
Love Jesus and Love people - The Great Commandment
“Jesus said“ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matt. 22:37-39
“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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:18-20 Great Commission
"Father, I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one, I in them and you in me, so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:22-23 Great Prayer
WE DREAM OF GATHERING TOGETHER FOR WORSHIP DECLARING OUR LOVE FOR JESUS PHIL 3:3, COLOSSIANS 3:16,1 CHRONICLES 29:10-13, REVELATION 5:1,ACTS 2:42-44, JOHN 17:22
“But a time is coming – and now is here – when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers. John 4:23 At AEC, we believe that God's desire is that our church would Gather together regularly to worship God for who He is and what He has done. Our intention is that through the Holy Spirit, we would enter worship with joyful expectation because of our love for Jesus and one another. We see our church welcoming newcomers as we worship together, seeking to take an interest in their lives. As we experience brokenness over our sin and awe over the redemption of Jesus, we dream of seeing a spiritual renewal in Archbold and the surrounding communities so powerful that the Gospel would be spread and the need for discipleship dramatically expand.
WE DREAM OF GROWING TOGETHER IN LOVING RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOD AND HIS PEOPLE. COL.1:28, MATTHEW 22:37-39, 2 CORINTHIANS 3:17-18, 2 PETER 3:18, 1 JOHN 5:3, JAMES 1:22 , PHIL. 2:12-13 "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together.....but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
We believe that Gods desire is for each person in our congregation to not just worship together but also to be connected in relationships with a small group. We see believers learning to live together in unity as they learn and Grow together experiencing the love and humility that God provides. We dream of each person in our congregation "Growing" deeper in the grace and knowledge of Jesus by studying God's Word together, praying together as we develop loving and caring relationships and as we encourage and spur one another to love and good deeds. In confidence and assurance of the faithfulness of Christ and who we are in him, we anticipate Growing a deeper faith as we are equipped for ministry both inside and outside the church building.
WE DREAM OF GIVING TOGETHER OF OUR RESOURCES SHARING OUR LOVE FOR JESUS AND PEOPLE ACTS 2:45, ROMANS 12:8, JAMES 1:17,1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-31, MATTHEW 6:19-21, ACTS 20:35, 1 JOHN 3:16 "Each of you should give just as you have decided in your heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7
We believe that God desires a church that loves Jesus passionately and chooses to Give joyfully. We recognize that in whatever we give, we are simply giving back to God what He has already given us. We dream of AEC believers being united through the purposeful Giving of their time, talents and treasures. Time: seeking to maximize their life doing those things that will last for eternity. Talent: discovering their SHAPE and using the gifts God has given them in areas for service. Treasure: learning how to steward their finances as they are led to Give intentionally. We pray that the needs of people within our church as well as in Archbold and the surrounding area will be met through the generosity of those who are a part of our body and that we would experience great Joy from actively seeking out opportunities to GIVE.
WE DREAM OF GOING TOGETHER TO SHARE OUR LOVE FOR JESUS WITH OUR WORLD. MT. 28:18-20, ROMANS 10:13,2 CORINTHIANS 3:17-18, MARK 16:15, JOHN 3:16
But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 We believe God is sending out our congregation with power as they Go to share the good news of Jesus with their family, friends, neighbors, and their world. We see people Going into the community God has placed them, to reach those people speaking the words of Jesus. We see people building relationships with their neighbors, inviting them into their homes and their hearts. We want people everywhere to come and see Jesus and experience the difference He can make in their lives. Our utmost desire is that the people of AEC would be equipped, through gathering, growing, and giving together, to Go into the world and share the love of Jesus.