New Hope exists for a reason. We believe that reason is found clearly in the God's Word, the Bible. Our purposes can be summarized in two scriptures from the book of Matthew. They are commonly called:

 

    At New Hope, all of our ministries, programs and activities are organized around these five purposes. You will see these purposes reflected in five "M's", which make them easy to remember:

 

 

 Membership (Fellowship)

"Baptizing them..." The incredible life Jesus has planned for each of us begins with a personal relationship with Him. When we begin that relationship with Christ, we become a member of His family.  Baptism is the symbol of becoming immersed into God’s family. Once connected with your church family, you enjoy the benefits of loving support, encouragement, and healthy environments in which to grow spiritually. As a church, New Hope grows “warmer” through Fellowship!

New Hope really is a family of people. And as a family, we do many of the things you would expect a healthy family to do. We encourage one another, care about each other, and help each other. We also hold one another accountable.

 

At the center of our New Hope family, we are a spiritual family, connected by our common faith and allegiance to Christ. Becoming a member of the New Hope family starts with membership in the family of Christ. Through worship and teaching, we share the simple steps to making that personal commitment.

 

 Maturity (Discipleship) 

"teaching them to obey..." Those who knew Jesus continued to learn, to teach, to pray and to mentor one another so that their faith would take root and grow to maturity.  Once connected, it’s important to continue with an intentional process of growth – spiritual maturity is no accident. 

 

Healthy biblical teaching and spiritual practices improve your relationship with God and with others.  Learning about God, and cultivating your intimacy with Him is a lifetime endeavor that brings you to maturity, balance, and joy.  As followers, we become “deeper” through discipleship.

Jesus does not want our relationship with Him to be limited to membership in His family. He has given us the tools and means to learn about His life and how we should live, and to communicate with Him, so that our relationship with Jesus will grow in maturity over time. For us today, the Bible itself is a textbook for the Christian life. Prayer--simply talking to God and listening for His response--is also available to us.  

 

 Ministry

"Love your neighbor as yourself..."         At New Hope, we believe "every member is a minister." As we continue to grow in our faith and relationship with Christ, we know one way we can respond to His commands is to serve Him in ministry. God gave you unique gifts that are intended to be used to help and love others.  We are all built for service, and Jesus is our ultimate example of gifted serving.  Discovering your unique design (or SHAPE) for serving is a key step in understanding God’s will for your life.  As a church, New Hope becomes more “loving” through ministry.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 gives us a vivid picture of this. Paul compares the ministry of the church with the human body.  He explains that while each of the parts of the body are different and have their own function, they only find their full significance in their relationship with the whole body.  And so it is in the church--while each church member may perform a unique function in the life of the church, their greatest significance will come when they realize their interconnectedness to the body of Christ! 

 

There are several principles that come from the "one body" approach to ministry found in the Bible:

1. God planned for us to be one body.  We are all created uniquely by God with different gifts, talents, and abilities.  Yet we all make up the "body of Christ."  It has been God's purpose from the beginning that many will become one to accomplish His purposes.
2. The Spirit of God keeps us together.  Regardless of rank, status, or ethnicity we are knit together by the Spirit of God.
3. God builds the body to match the assignment.  God knows the work and mission for which the local church was born. He will send to the local church the parts needed for the church to perform its function.
4. All the parts of the body rely and depend on each other.  For the church to function as the body of Christ it is necessary for all the parts to work in harmony and unity.  We all need each other.  The success of the whole depends on the success of each individual part.  Each and every ministry is important.

"...Go & make disciples..." Sharing our faith with others is an important part of who we are as members of Jesus' family. Through Christ we have strength for living & hope for the future--that's Good News that must be told! Our church-family becomes “larger” through evangelism.

Missions at New Hope is centered on opportunities to share our faith with others. We can do that in many ways. Most of us are a little intimidated by the notion of walking up to a stranger and telling that person about Christ--though that is a powerful way to share your faith.

 

But we can also share Christ as we serve and help others. That could mean providing a free medical clinic in a third-world country, or helping to build a church in another state, or singing and doing drama in schools, or leading a Vacation Bible School. All of these are ways in which we can share the love of Christ with others. As we build relationships with people around the corner and across the globe, God opens up avenues for us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

 

A fully committed follower of Christ has been entrusted with a mission in this world. Every Christian must be prepared to give an account of the saving work of Christ in their own life, and be ready, able and willing to share the good news of Jesus Christ at any time, any where, and in any circumstance with those God brings us into contact with. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.  

 

Magnification

"Love the Lord with all your heart..."             If knowing, growing, serving and sharing Christ are the "what" of New Hope, then worship--magnifying God--is the "why." The reason we do all that we do as a church is simply to bring glory to God. So worship is more than singing and sermons. It's a lifestyle that seeks to honor God through our actions and attitudes--every way, every day. Together, we become “stronger” through worship.

Ultimately, everything that New Hope is exists because of God and to serve God. One way we can express praise to God is through worship. Weekly we gather as a church to honor God in song, to talk with him through prayer, and to listen to His teaching from the Bible. Worship isn't just something we do once a week--it's a core purpose that drives everything we do.

 

The Magnification Ministry at New Hope provides opportunities to express our praise to God through music, drama, the spoken word, testimony, scripture and other means. Many churches call this ministry the "Music Ministry" or the "Worship Ministry"--so "Magnification Ministry" may be a new term to you. Music and worship are included in the Magnification Ministry, but those aren't the only ways we can magnify God.