Together, we see ... a church full of hearts consumed and compelled to tell the most incredibly Good News of all time:  "You matter to God, you really are precious, and you are so loved that God himself came to show you the way to real life!"

Together, we see ... a church where there is only one rule -- that there are no rules that artificially limit presenting the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person, everywhere; a church that lives out the responsibility to all those who are not yet here.

Together, we see ... a church where every teaching is a practical "How To" lesson in helping persons do their dead-level best to hold hands with Jesus every day, and in every circumstance; where heaven is not a goal, but simply a very welcomed by-product of this life of "hand holding" with Jesus; where faith is real and useful in everyday living; where everything is either relevant to helping persons living into the real life offered by Jesus, or it is simply not done.

Together, we see ... a church where the music and ministry melts the hardest of hearts and touches the deepest parts; where worship is a witness, changing the minds of disbelief and drawing Christ-followers ever closer to God; where multiple languages, such as creative use of the arts, are used to quench the longing of those thirsting for a fresh and relevant revealing of God''s reality and presence in their lives.

Together, we see ... a church family that intentionally loves, aggressively protects, and mindfully builds-up one another; a place where encouragement, forgiveness, and honesty in all things are practiced, and where gossip, slander, and deceit are not tolerated.

Together, we see ... a church of excited persons who have redefined "Church" ... not as a one-hour, once-a-week quota to be met ... but as a radical call to a twenty-four hour, seven day a week lifestyle to be experienced; where nurture and accountability combine to produce unparalleled spiritual growth in the life of the Christ-follower; from gatherings around serving in a soup kitchen for the homeless to gatherings on a golf course green, real friends who love each other lavishly, confront each other lovingly, and support each other undeniably ... giving to one another out of their poverty, sharing with one another all they have and are, in spite of their fears.

Together, we see ... a church of persons with hearts so full of love for Jesus that, even with tired and cramped hands, are eager to serve rather than be served; impassioned servants who clearly see the bigger picture of life and are grateful for the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others.

Together, we see ... a church aware of anxious hearts, walking cautiously in through those doors, wondering, "Why did I let her drag me here?"  Hearts that long for belonging but wonder, "What are these people going to be like?  Will they care that I''m here?"  We see a people responding in love and care because they too once wondered the same things, and who understand that each guest who walks through these doors are drawn here by God himself.  We see guests being genuinely welcomed personally by many who remember, and who -- for the sake of Jesus -- forsake a chat with their friends to sit with guests; answer their questions; help them to feel not strange, but holy, loved, and welcomed home.

Together, we see ... a church where children and youth are real persons who are encouraged to ask good questions, empowered to seek honest answers, and energized to claim true faith that will last forever; a church that helps parents instill lifelong positive values into their children so they too will live into their own full, God-given potential.

Together, we see ... a church of small groups where every person knows and is known -- including safe small groups for children, who also are often overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control and need a place to sometimes simply "be known."

Together, we see ... a church that is the center of community life by ministering to whole families by providing email accounts with the church''s domain name, negotiated discounts at area childcare providers, grocery stores, and other buying programs with the aim NOT for funding the church, but for providing every increasing resources toward more fully realizing a contemporary version of church described in the Second Chapter of the Book of Acts in the Bible -- believers gathering and holding things in common, in today's context.

Together, we see ... a church that is the center of community life ministering to the whole heart and spirit of persons by providing specialized counseling and support groups for those recovering from divorce, addictions. and abuse.

Together, we see ... a church that is powered, protected, and provided for through prayer; and that glorifies God, follows Jesus, and is guided by the Holy Spirit.