As Christ’s saints, our mission is simple yet profound: to Glorify God as we joyfully Gather, willfully Grow, lavishly Give, and courageously Go in the power and unity of the Gospel.
This isn’t just a religious fad or catchy statement—it’s a biblical calling to live out our faith fully and completely. It’s a comprehensive approach to intentional discipleship and sanctification designed to challenge and encourage every born-again faithful follower of King Jesus to examine our walk with Him to ensure no facet of faith is left untouched or conformed to the pattern of the world... "so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
-Colossians 1:10
Joyfully Gathering: More Than Sundays
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” — Hebrews 10:24-25
Gathering isn’t limited to showing up for Sunday services. Yes, corporate worship is absolutely essential, but Scripture calls us to deeper community—genuine Gospel fellowship that sharpens and sanctifies. “Iron sharpens iron, and one sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). Gathering means engaging in accountability, discipleship groups, Bible studies, and intentional relationships that challenge and encourage spiritual growth. The point is for us to serve—not to be served (Matt 20:26-28).
But the WORD of God calls us even deeper. King Jesus Himself said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30). Are we gathering with and for Christ? Are we aligning our hearts and lives with His, not just on Sundays or in group settings, but in the way we live as an Ephesians 2:10 church? Are we constantly mindful of Holy Spirit-led opportunities to do the good works of evangelism and discipleship (not humanitarian relief efforts or as social justice warriors) which God prepared in advance as our new way of life?
Willfully Growing: Sanctification in Community
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” — 2 Peter 3:18
Growth in Christ is non-negotiable. It’s a lifelong process of sanctification, where we are “being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Yet, growth cannot happen in isolation. God designed His Church to be the primary means of our maturing faith.
Gathering regularly is only the start. The real question is, are we growing in the faith and reality of God the Son? Are we intentionally, willfully seeking growth in being sharpened, challenged, and edified in conversations and discussion about God's WORD? This doesn't mean an academic study of the Bible so that we have all the answers. It's a desire to seek and share a deeper understanding of God's WORD. Without intentional growth, gathering becomes routine rather than transformative.
We must remember that growth involves taking God's revelation into application. James warns us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). True growth leads to action—living out what we learn in Scripture in every area of our lives. Action without continual growth and refinement inevitably becomes nothing more than human customs, traditions, and rituals (Mark 7:1-7).
Lavishly Giving: The Overflow of a Crucified Life
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7
Giving isn’t primarily about money or finances. It’s about the heart—a heart that has been crucified with Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). A heart fully surrendered to Jesus gives joyfully—not just finances, but time, talents, energy, and love for the building up of Christ's Body & Bride.
We often test our faith by examining what we’re willing to give up. But a more piercing question is: What are we still holding onto? What idols remain? What areas of our lives are untouched by the Gospel? As I’ve preached before, “Partial obedience is full disobedience.” Speaking of King Jesus, John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). True giving is an act of self-diminishment, where Christ’s glory shines through our lavish generosity in every area, aspect, facet, and dimension of our surrendered lives.
Courageously Going: Discipling the Nations
“Go therefore and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you...” — Matthew 28:19-20
The Great Commission isn’t a suggestion—it’s an imperative command from God the Son. But there’s often a misunderstanding here. The Greek text doesn’t place the imperative on “going” or “making,” but on “disciple.” Our call is to disciple all nations as we go about doing the good works God prepared in advance as our NEW way of life (Eph 2:10)... whether across the world or across the room.
Are we going? Not just moving physically but engaging spiritually—being Christ’s witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Are we living as His martyrs (martyres), bearing witness to the power and unity of His Gospel in our lives, families, workplaces, communities, and church? Jesus promised, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). But this victory assumes Holy Spirit-led action. Gates are defensive structures—they don’t attack. The Church is designed and intended to advance against them. We are called to storm the gates, suited up in the full armor of God (Eph 6:10-20) to bring the light of Christ into the darkest places.
A Call to Comprehensive Obedience
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5
Our mission—Glorifying God in joyfully Gathering, willfully Growing, lavishly Giving, and courageously Going in the power and unity of the Gospel—requires full surrender and full engagement. It’s not a religious buffet where we pick & choose what we’re most comfortable with. Authentic discipleship demands holistic obedience to Christ Jesus.
"Partial obedience is full disobedience."
We must ask ourselves:
Am I joyfully gathering for Christ with the saints or content with flying solo?
Am I willfully growing in the grace and truth of the WORD or have I arrived?
Am I lavishly giving back to God with my whole life or just what I'm comfortable with?
Am I courageously going as an ambassador of the GOSPEL or keeping its light hidden?
Our entire lives must be surrendered and given to King Jesus. This is not to earn salvation but to validate the reality of it. The human heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure (Jer 17:9). Our enemy, the Devil, masquerades as an angel of light. He wants us to believe that a heart that's half-surrendered or a life that's partially devoted to Christ is "good enough."
The enemy wants us to believe that faith is a private thing. The WORD of God reveals that what God expects, in fact, what He demands, is beyond our ability. That's why we need the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. That's why we need to die to self and be born-again by grace through faith in Christ. All our fears, insecurities, pride, and idols must be forever cast down at the foot of the cross, not temporarily dropped. As members of Christ’s Body & Bride, we are called, not just to a higher standard, but a perfect one (Matt 5:48)—one that reflects the fullness of the Gospel in every nook and cranny of our redeemed lives.
We can't settle for partial obedience... reluctantly gathering when we feel like... begrudgingly growing if and when it's convenient for us... selectively giving of our surplus rather than everything we have... or timidly going on our terms. As a church, we are devoted to Christ Jesus. Therefore, we strive for the comprehensive, Holy Spirit-empowered life that glorifies God in all things at all times. In the end, that’s our ultimate mission: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things unto the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Blessings and love,
Kevin M. Kelley
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