Goal
We see in scripture, God’s love from eternity past to eternity future always pouring outward, away from Himself, never bending inward. After man broke the perfect relationship in the garden, God's love has continued to pour outward upon his creation seeking to restore a lost relationship. Throughout history, this has taken different forms, but now we the church have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. God is making his appeal through us, the body of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). There are many that are still without this gospel message in our world today, and it is the responsibility of the body of Christ to make His name known where it is not known. We believe that God desires more than converts, more than baby believers, more than just sharing the salvation message. We believe that God desires to see people who do not know Him grow into a deep understanding of who He is; relationally, cognitively, and to grow in a deeper understanding of what it means to be at peace with a holy God. We believe that the Scripture would encourage this to happen through the church and the establishment of mature churches. Our desire is to establish a church in a people group that does not have access to the gospel message.
Many different definitions and presuppositions exist regarding what a church is and should look like. We are convinced through Scripture that a mature church should have the Word of God in their heart language. They should have an identity as they relate to one another in the body, to the community around, and historically back to Jerusalem. There needs to be life in the church, a healthy community of believers functioning in the God-given roles of the church. And finally, it needs to be discipleship. It cannot be static, because God is, by nature, outward flowing and self-giving. The Holy Spirit will not lead the church into indifference about discipleship and outreach. An ability to reproduce is a sign of coming to maturity and it is no different with the church. We are not just in pursuit of eternal salvation, but a life lived worthy of the gospel and the benefits associated with it. We believe that God wants his children to come to maturity, not to be left as infants on the battlefield. Paul strived for maturity and so will we. (Colossians 1:24-29)
Our goal is to plant a self-sustaining and indigenous church, amongst an unreached people group in the jungles of Papua New Guinea and to translate the Bible and disciple believers until they have a mature understanding of Christ's work on the cross. Our desire is to leave behind a church that can stand and thrive on its own with the Word of God in their heart language.
Until all have heard,
The Ewerts