Learners
We are students of Jesus, learning to take responsibility for our own development so that we can develop others.
Followers of Jesus are called to discipline themselves for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim 4:7-8). This includes both our personal and communal time with God, as well as involvement together in training provided by spiritual leadership (Luke 2:52; Matt 28:18-20; Eph 4:11-13; 2 Tim 2:2). Our learning must also model Jesus, along the way, following Him on mission. We are to be equipped while on mission SO THAT we can equip others (make disciples who make disciples). Jesus calls us to follow His ways, to be his disciples, and to live in obedience to all that God commands, just like His call on His first disciples. His call included sending them out to make new disciples. We believe we are also called to be followers of Jesus who take responsibility for our own development and the development of others—equipped to equip, blessed to be a blessing—all while on mission together.
Every human being is designed to be a learner. From the time we are born physically, we start learning how to live life and get out of life what we want. We turn to an endless number of “teachers” in order to learn, whether media, art, religion, relationships, education, politics, etc. It is all an attempt to find truth. In the gospel, we are transformed into learners/disciples of Jesus—the Truth. We have been given His Spirit to guide us into ALL truth. Likewise, the gospel not only introduces us to truth, but calls for AND provides the power necessary to OBEY the truth that Jesus taught (“…teaching them to OBSERVE all that I commanded…” Matthew 28:20). As His disciples, we must recognize that while God has given the church teachers to help one become like Jesus, He has also given each of us His Spirit to teach and transform us into the image of Christ AND share it with others (Matt 28:18-20; John 16:13-15; Rom 8:28-30).
worshippers
We are sinners purchased by God, learning to offer our lives back to God through Jesus.
learners
We are students of Jesus, learning to take responsibility for our own development so that we can develop others.
missionaries
We are sinners saved by God’s work for God’s work, learning that we are being sent by Jesus into Jonesboro, ASU, and the nations to bring joy through His good news.
family
We are sinners adopted by God into His family, learning to care for each other as family, and inviting others to experience the blessing of what it is like in God’s family.