We are simply a group of Christians that take the mission of Jesus very seriously. Jesus spent the last three years of his life dedicated to helping people with both their physical and spiritual needs. In fact, one of the last things that Jesus told his apostles before ascending into Heaven was to:
Matt. 28:19-20 Go, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.
Why did Jesus want his Disciples to go into the world and continue HIS mission? For the same reason that Jesus made the countless sacrifices that he did.
Why did Jesus choose the rich, hated, sinful tax-collecting traitor named Zacchaeus out of the crowd and want to go to his house (Luke 19:1-10)? Wasn’t there better choices? Weren’t there religious leaders that would be a better choice?
Why did Jesus protect and shield the woman caught in adultery from being stoned to death for her crimes (John 8:2-11)? Was it because she was falsely accused? Was it because the punishment was too harsh for the crime?
What about woman widely known to have the reputation of a “sinner” that interrupted his dinner plans with a religious leader in Luke 7:37-50. Why did Jesus risk his “reputation” to defend her?
While we do not have the time to dig deep into each of these circumstances, there is one common thread. Jesus DARED to interact with these three people…and countless more…because they had VALUE! And because they needed Jesus whether they knew it or not.
Our mission, then is to first be as much like Jesus as we can then to see value in ALL people and to point them to Jesus so others can benefit from his love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and hope.