Our Purpose

"To magnify the glory of God through Jesus Christ in all things (1),
by responding to His grace in worship (2),
applying His grace in discipleship (3),
and extending His grace in outreach (4)."

4. Extending His Grace in Mission

We glorify God and enjoy Him by understanding that His desire is to magnify His name amongst all peoples through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are called to share God's good news with others, to take the gospel into all the world (1). This is essentially an expression of Christian love towards people. We desire to bring people of all nations and tongues into the all-satisfying relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This begins with the consistent proclamation of the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit.

But it is also a realization of the reality that the church is the mission of God
in the world by virtue of being salt and light.(2) This underscores that we are
channels of God’s grace and not reservoirs. It also means that our mission is
both institutional and relational. We are both a “city” on a hill (institutional)
and personal witnesses (relational) of the gospel in word and deed. This priority,
therefore, calls us to minister to the physical, emotional and social needs of
people with a view to winning their faith by the compassion of Christ. (3) Mission
is also a commitment to a whole process of “making disciples”.(4) This process
involves teaching them the full counsel of God with a view towards the spiritual
reproduction of the next generation(5) and present impact in our community and
world.

Initiatives in Mission 2007
GBC has adopted the following initiatives as a part of our mission renewal in 2007.

1. We must labor to infuse a missional mentality in everyone.
2. We must encourage a missional mentality to infuse every thing the church does versus a mission department focus.
3. We must promote the integration of faith with vocation or work.
4. We must organize direct efforts at serving the community nearest us.
5. We must equip the congregation in the subtle craft of engaging the culture without being absorbed by the culture.
6. We must partner with more ministries that are already serving the city.
7. We must equip new believers with the gospel and promote a church culture that is open to their non-believing friends versus a fortress mentality.
8. We must become a church planting church.
9. We must seek ways to reach the Monument Boulevard district.

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(1) "And you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:8b)
"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;" (Rev 7:9)
(2)“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)
(3) "So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." (Gal 6:10)
(4)"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matt 28:19-20)
(5) "And He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Cor 5:19-20)