O U R V I S I O N
To restore the heart and soul of our neighborhood.
O U R CALLING
Releasing the Church to live and love like Jesus.
Urgency
Our 3 mile neighborhood is filled with more drugs, crime, homelessness, and despair than any zip code in Northwest Arkansas. While these are each significant issues, it is the ultimate threat of separation and loneliness from God and others that keeps the overlooked and undervalued in vulnerable cycles.
Opportunity
It is said that “truth travels best on the road of relationships”. The ultimate road we travel is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our calling and heart beat to ‘bring GOOD to the HOOD’. Or further explained to restore the heart and soul of our neighborhood by releasing the Church to live and love like Jesus.
EQUIP the Church as missionaries to live as sent
J O H N 1 7
LAUNCH microchurches strategically into our neighborhood
A C T S 2,4
LIVE in proximity to the overlooked and undervalued
L U K E 1 0 : 3 3
L U K E T E N
As Samaritan Church, the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 has taken special meaning for us as we seek to love and care for the overlooked and undervalued in our neighborhoods. In that parable, we see four characters from which we learn and shape ministry.
the BROKEN MAN
Luke 10 highlights a man who is on a journey. Heading down from Jerusalem to Jericho on a road nicknamed “the way of blood,” robbers attack and leave him stripped, beaten, and alone...half dead.
Our response: we stand with the overlooked and undervalued neighbors God calls us to love, as He has loved us.
Dignity over charity.
the SAMARITAN
The Priest and the Levite “happened” to be on the road and avoided the broken man, but the Samaritan SAW, had COMPASSION, and took steps of PROXIMITY towards him. His grace-filled initiative began a narrative of restoration.
Our response: Sunday morning gatherings are designed to encourage and equip our missionary core into becoming the kind of Christ-followers who see, have compassion, and initiate proximity.
Live as SENT, as He was Sent.
the INN KEEPER
While the Samaritan began the restoration, it was the often-unseen Innkeeper who finished it. It was he/she who, through the financial resources of the Samaritan, went the distance to care for the full recovery of the broken man.
Our response: As missionaries sent by God, we link arms as microchurches to launch disciple making restoration efforts, proclaiming Jesus as the final remedy for brokenness.
Servants not saviors.
the EXPERT
The Samaritan story is told with a purpose, to clarify truth to one who would seemingly have all the answers: a so-called Expert, who had two self-justifying questions: “how do I receive eternal life?” and “who is my neighbor?” Jesus uses the second answer of neighboring to unlock the first question of life.
Our response: We initiate equipping and encouragement opportunities to help educate outsiders on the journey towards the overlooked and undervalued neighborhoods.
Learners before leaders.