Greater Vision Sanctuary
WE ARE CALLED TO FELLOWSHIP & BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS
We will fellowship and build relationships as the disciples did in Acts 2:42-47. Intimate Christian fellowship just cannot occur in the Sunday morning assembly. The early churches went from house to house, (Acts 2:46) fitting together their spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:15-16) and bearing one another's burdens Galatians 6:1-2). Christians need to have fellowship with one another, even outside the church assembly. These should not be gossip sessions, but times of mutual edification. Members are encouraged to fellowship with other members outside of service(s), whether it's a family dinner or getting together to play games, remember it's all about building relationships with other members. Can you remember the day when the old time saints would not leave a friend's house after a visit without kneeling for prayer?
WE ARE CALLED TO BE A MULTI-RACIAL CHURCH
"Without prejudice, where there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, (there is neither black or white, neither rich or poor, neither educated or illiterate), for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). We will not tolerate religious prejudice against those whose belief system may be different than ours. (There is no distinction between Baptist, Methodist, Nazarene, Assembly of God, Catholic, Pentecostal or any other denomination of people!)
WE ARE CALLED TO WORSHIP
By worshipping regularly with God's people . . . It was Jesus' custom (Luke 4:16) and the practice of the early church (Acts 2:44). It is something we should not neglect. (Hebrews 10:24-25) No doubt there is no substitute for coming together on a regular, orderly basis and lifting up our hands and voices together to the glory of God.
WE ARE CALLED TO BE DEVOTED TO GOD'S WORD
Reading the Bible daily . . . Scripture is like milk to a baby (I Peter 2:2-3), staple food for an adult (Matthew 4:4) and like breath itself (II Timothy 3:16). There you have it. Babies need milk, adults need stronger food and all of us need breath. The study of God's Word is imperative, but it is surprising to know how many of God's people do not regularly, devotionally read the Word of God. Milk is good, but that is baby food. It is something that has come through the digestive system of another . . . the cow. You need to dig into the word for yourself.
WE ARE CALLED TO PRAY
Praying continually . . . We know this is important but check Mark 1:35, Philippians 4:6, I Thessalonians 5:17. It goes without saying, if we don't pray, God won't answer. John Wesley said, "God will do nothing on earth except in answer to believing prayer."
WE ARE CALLED TO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED MINISTRIES
To children, youth, young adults, singles, married couples, men, ladies, and the elderly designed to address the needs of their age group and family status.Which may include Shepherd's House with items for those in need, retirement facilities for the elderly, housing for un-wed mothers, an adoption agency for parentless children, and housing for men and women who have fallen out of society due to moral, mental, or emotional failure, and/or financial collapse.
WE ARE CALLED TO DISCERN GOD'S WILL
Discerning God's will for His people is another benchmark for the making of a good saint. No, it's not up to you alone, but you are part of the process of the people of God seeking His will. You are one of the two or three gathered in His name . . . " (Matthew 18:20) who send out missionaries (Acts 13:2) and test the spirits (I John 4:1).
WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE
Serving one another . . . May God give us a servant's heart. This office of a servant is about the only one our Lord really trusted us to fill. It may be easy to get someone to sing a solo in the choir, but who is going to cut the lawn and care for the nursery? Mr. Murray has observed that we'd best use our gifts to show our love for each other (John 13:34-35; Romans 12:6 & 8).
WE ARE CALLED TO BE AGGRESSIVE AND EFFECTIVE EVANGELISTS
To reach out to all people groups socially, economically, and morally, and demonstrate the compassion of Jesus to them in their times of need. It doesn't matter what someone has done or is doing; we're going to embrace humanity with the love of Jesus in us.Witnessing to God's love . . . The bottom line of any church is that we are seeking to save that which is lost. Our Lord told us we would receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come on us and we would also be witnesses. How long has it been since you have led a soul to Christ's love through this local assembly?
WE ARE CALLED FURTHER GOD'S WORK
Giving to God's work . . . This really makes good members. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, "Paul urged the Corinthians to set their gift aside (I Corinthians 16:2). Good members faithfully pay tithes & offerings to Greater Vision Sanctuary and give to the furtherance of God's work. They know that God loves a cheerful . . . hilarious . . . giver (II Corinthians 9:6-8). I've seen very few people fall out in hilarious laughter when someone said, "We're going to receive the offering."
WE ARE CALLED TO BE SUBMITTED TO SCRIPTURAL GOVERNMENT
Submitted to and operating under divinely appointed eldership of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers (Eph. 4:11).We believe in Scriptural covering: Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."
1 Peter 5:5 "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders."
Submission to those over us in the Lord is not about being controlled or manipulated; it's about being served by those who by experience have been where we've not yet been. There are many who are in our lives as spiritual fathers, who give ongoing input into the life of the GVS Members. Among them is one who stands out as the true leader over this work, Reverand Bill Baldridge.
WE ARE CALLED TO BUILD STRONG FAMILIES
Where husbands love their wives, even as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it; where wives submit to their husbands, even as unto Christ; and where children are taught, trained and disciplined from infancy to adulthood to live Godly lives (Eph. 5:22-33).
WE ARE CALLED TO RESTORE THE ARTS TO THE CHURCH
Including music, drama, sign language ministry, and human videos/skits with excellence by providing teaching and training for all ages and opportunities for expression within the ministry of the Church.
WE ARE CALLED TO PROVIDE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
For all, no matter of age, to be taught respect for authority, patriotism, manners, integrity, high moral standards, and strong work ethics. Our goal is to train future generations of responsible adults who will make major contributions to the quality of life in their community.To establish training in much needed Church ministries (i.e. sound systems, video applications, dance ministry, drama ministry, children's ministry, praise and worship, etc.).