Vision/Goals:
Our vision is to facilitate healthy churches, through the planting and strengthening of congregations, among as many language groups in ourarea as God gives us opportunity. Our dream is to expand into two new language groups annually.
Description of Ministry:
Our strategy is built on “Great Commission” principles. Evangelism (“Going”) involves outreach to people groups where God is at work and where He has formed churches in years past. Church Planting (“baptizing” suggests congregationalizing) expands the work among a people group, as well as extending the work to other people groups notyet reached. Discipleship, or congregational development and discipleship (“teaching them to observe all I have taught you”), assist new churches to grow in a more effective and healthy way.
We currently have ministry among Korean, Hispanic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Haitian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Liberian, Nepalese, Arabic and East Indian (Technically, “the deaf”, among whom we also have ministry, would be classified as a language group, too.) Annual retreats are held for many of these groups.
To coordinate and assist in these efforts, a Language Advisory Council representing seven of these language groups and our state staff, meets every other month. In addition, we have a catalytic missionary who assists us in focusing upon Asian people groups.