OUR VISION: A vibrant faith in Jesus Christ that brings life to the world!

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  -JOHN 10:10

We believe that there is more to life.  Jesus said that he came to bring us life to the full.  This is shaped by the person, mission and message of Jesus Christ, and in the power of His Spirit that gives us all we need to live by his example in the places we work, live and play.  We want to be a church that is fully alive and living the Jesus-shaped life.

OUR MISSION: TO LOVE GOD AND MAKE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS AT ALL STAGES OF LIFE
Love God - Love Others!

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  Love your neighbour as yourself.  All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments."  -MATTHEW 22:37-40

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."  -MATTHEW 28:19-20

Regardless of where someone is at in their Christian faith, or how old they are, or their life experience, we are on mission to express our love for God and our neighbour and provide opportunities for people to grow in their relationship with Jesus. We believe we are all disciples and we are all called to make disciples. 

Cultural Values
These are the lenses that we apply to the way we live out our vision and mission.
AN INTERGENERATIONAL FAMILY
We believe that community is at its best when it includes all ages and stages of life. (Joel 1:3)
EXTENDING GRACE
We desire to be a hospitable place that provides a safe environment for all people to ask questions, wrestle with issues, and make mistakes. (Hebrews 4:16)
JOYFULLY SPIRIT-FILLED
We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers us to bring life to the world, a life that is marked by anticipation and hope, a revelling in all things beautiful, and a laughter that is the language of the redeemed. (Acts 13:52)
CREATIVELY MISSIONAL
We understand that the mission of God is found everywhere - in our homes, at work, our schools and neighbourhoods. We are all called to be on mission with and for God. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
CONSISTENTLY GENEROUS
We believe that we steward the resources God has given us through a consistent and sacrificial generosity that serves others and displays God's kingdom (1 John 3:16-18)
EVERYDAY DISCIPLESHIP
We see the Christian life as a daily, consistent practice that is developed through teaching, mentorship, and hands-on experiences (Acts 2:42-47; John 15:16) as demonstrated by the life of Jesus.
OUR DISCIPLESHIP STRATEGY
Our discipleship strategy is how we take who we are (cultural values) to where we want to go (vision). It is built around the functions of the early church summarized in Acts 2:42
BELONG
Finding home as we follow Jesus

It's hard to find home if you don't have roots.  We believe that belonging is vital for growing in the Christian faith.  It is very difficult to live out the faith when you are all alone.  Eugene Peterson once said that friendship is as important a spiritual discipline as prayer and fasting.  We think he's right.  Community helps to encourage and challenge you in the faith, and provides care for you when you are discouraged, lonely or sick.

Our strategy for helping people find belonging is to identify what stage they are at in community and then encouraging them to continue to move into more involved stages.  

 

Grow
Finding Life as we follow Jesus

To love is to move.  We are always learning and practicing.  The book of 2 Peter tells us that we have everything we need for life and godliness through knowing Jesus.  We get to participate in the ways of God's kingdom!  Christian living is the art of building upon what we have been given.  At Emmanuel, we envision disciples as being people who think like Jesus, talk like Jesus, and act like Jesus.  The life that Jesus promised us is found in him.  This is what we are all moving towards and aspiring to be.  

 

Share
Finding mission as we follow Jesus

Disciples of Jesus follow their leader.  Belonging in Christian community and growing in our relationship with Jesus is good news!  We respond to the good news by sharing ourselves with others (our talents, passions and time) and telling others what what we have seen and heard about Jesus when we are called upon.