MISSIONS

In the first chapter of Genesis, we learn that we are created in God’s image and commissioned to exercise His “dominion” over creation on His behalf. In the second chapter, we learn that we are capable of doing just that as we see that “whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.” And then in the third chapter, everything falls apart. Sin enters, shame follows, and curse begins to reign. But God, not content to leave us in our brokenness, entered into our shame, and reconciled us by the blood of Christ. “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:19–20) Thus, those who are in Christ, are re-equipped to carry out the dominion mandate of creation. The Great Commission, to disciple the nations (Matthew 28:19), is simply a call to advance God’s dominion in a world where curse reigns. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17–19)

 

 

Throughout the world, God is not receiving the glory and worship of which he is worthy. As his ambassadors, commissioned to advance his dominion, we cannot be okay with that. The Word of God must be carried to all the world where there is unbelief and deception. Where there is brokenness that prevents God’s image-bearers from giving him the glory he is due, we must be about bringing reconciliation to what is broken. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me… Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35–40) 

 

 

In Acts 1:8, the last thing Christ tells us before his ascension is that he would give us the Holy Spirit to empower us to be his witnesses in our community (Jerusalem and Judea), in our region (Samaria), and overseas (ends of the earth.) Therefore, FPCOS partners with gospel ministries that are local, regional and overseas. The goal of our Mission Ministry at FPCOS is that everyone who regularly worships and engages in discipleship at FPCOS will be actively committed to at least one of our Mission Partners through prayer, resourcing and/or volunteerism.

 

 

For each current FPCOS Mission Partner, the Mission Ministry Team has asked one member of the church to be a Key Contact, regularly seeking updates of how FPCOS can help, and we want to build a team of volunteers to assist each of our Key Contacts. Please take the time to learn about our Mission Partners listed here, and ask the Lord to tune your heart to engage with one or more.