Our Vision
When I think of the word “vision” in relation to the church - I think of insight, I think of goals, I think of purpose, and I think of something that unites people together for a common cause. Certainly with these things in mind as Christians there is a common cause that every single one of us share and that is the declaration of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever it can be given. We share in the common cause of His life at work through us as in some amazing way God takes ordinary people and enables them to participate in His extraordinary plan of advancing the Kingdom of Heaven principles, power, and life here on Earth.
While this is true, I believe God has also given Hanover Pentecostal Church a vision for our community. This vision incorporates both the potential of what we can be as a local body of believers and the reality of what God is doing in and through us to impact our sphere of influence in the community of Hanover and Grey and Bruce county.
The thing with vision is that it is ever expanding and ever being shaped as God grows us, challenges us, and gives us bigger things to aim for. So as I share some of the vision for HPC please keep in mind that this is by no means exhaustive nor complete - but it is the vision we share as a church right now.
City on a Hill!
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
“A city on a hill!” That is a vision worth aspiring to. Yet, in this passage it is something that Christ teaches his followers already are! Jesus urges people to let their light shine! Know that you are the light of the world - now shine it! So our vision at HPC is to be a “city on a hill” - to worship God, to serve, to love, and to live in such a way that the light of Christ is inescapable in our church, and in our lives. We want people to be so astounded by the work of Christ in and through us that they are drawn to the One we represent, and join us in the incredible work of God through His people.
This vision relates directly to our mission which is summed up simply in the following, easy to remember statement:
The mission of HPC is to allow the light of God to shine so powerfully in our lives that people can’t help but to join us in becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
This mission is realized in the four actions we put in practice. These four words were quite evident in the launch of the church as recorded in the book of Acts (see sidebar) and should be normative in the church today.
INSPIRE
…everyone was filled with awe.
We believe the church should stand out in the community. There should be no doubting what the church believes - and there should be no doubt who is the head of the church (Jesus Christ). When a church is inspiring - there will be a sense of awe in what is happening. Healings, life transformations, relationship mending, purpose all are evident in a church that inspires. But what is it that makes a church inspiring? Plain and simple, the presence of God. We believe that as God’s people draw close through Him through the study of His word, through prayer, through fellowship, and through worship that we take on the character of Jesus Christ and are welcoming His presence wherever two or three gather. More than that - what inspires is the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people. We truly believe that when we are surrendered to God and His work that the power of His Spirit begins to work through our lives.
Friends, Church should be inspiring! The greatest inspiration is the message we carry. It is both a sobering message - in the realization that all the sickness, disease, evil, and hurt in this world is the result of the curse of sin upon mankind. A curse that dooms every single one of us to death (Romans 3:23) and everlasting separation from God. Considering that God is the source of everything good - that’s a tough pill to swallow. Yet, the joyful part of the message we carry is that because God is love, and because He loves His creation, He doesn’t want to leave us doomed to the curse of sin. Jesus Christ was God’s solution, in fact God Himself (Jesus) lay aside for a time His glory and majesty (Philippians 4:4) and came to Earth as a man to offer Himself as a sacrifice so as to pay the penalty for sin. Because He was sinless, and because of His humanity, Jesus’ death on the cross made it possible for us to receive the benefit of right standing before God as our sin was laid on Him. The Bible teaches that when we realize we’re sinners, believe that Jesus paid the price for our sin, and surrender our lives to Him that we become a part of the family of God and have the assurance of everlasting life in Him. There is no greater inspiration than to realize you’re lost, and then discover someone has died so that you may be rescued. But wait, the story doesn’t end there! Jesus is the only one who has ever risen Himself from the dead! In doing so, Jesus declared victory over death and sin and that victory is transferred to all those who believe in Him. Jesus’ offers hope for anyone without hope, offers life for anyone just getting by, and purpose for anyone looking for meaning. That’s inspiring!
EQUIP
Church is also a place where we are prepared/equipped for life. Whether it be learning to be a better parent, assisting parents in raising great kids, developing and growing in the abilities and talents that God has blessed you with, learning how to be good stewards of our finances and time - belonging to, and participating in the church helps prepare you and equip you to live for Him!
It is also our desire at HPC that every believer be grounded in God’s Word. We believe the Bible is relevant today and we delight in the stories of people who have applied it’s teaching to their lives and seen incredible transformation.
INVOLVE
Another verb that is evident in the life of the church of Acts is that they recognized God wanted to involve them in His work, was Himself involved in the life of the church, and they were in it together! At HPC we recognize that every single one of us in the church has a part to play in God’s plan. Just as in a body there are different ‘parts’ that help the body function as a whole - so it is in the church where God has created and gifted us with unique abilities and talents to use in fulfillment of our part in His plan. We are committed to involving everyone who is willing to serve in the greatest cause anyone could be a part of! The best thing - we’re in it together - with each other, and God Himself!
SEND
Finally, we are a sending church. Jesus gave a great commission to all of His followers to “Go into the world and make disciples…” It is our passion to share the incredibly good news of God with the world. He wants more people decide to join His family. Our vision is to see our families, our neighbors, our community, our county, our province, our country, our continent, and our world hear and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ! After all, that’s God’s vision - and one He commands His people to carry out.
That is why as a church we are so passionate about getting involved in sharing the love of Christ with our community in different ways. That is also why we contribute to and participate in missions around the world.
After all..
Our mission is allow the light of God to shine so powerfully through our lives that people can’t help but join us in becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
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