Community Outreach – SMDC
Ron Brand & Gary Ellsworth
U.S. Nationally Appointed Missionaries
God calls and works through people, individually and collectively to accomplish His purposes as revealed in His Word. The Assemblies of God was organized in 1914 for the purpose of creating a voluntary cooperative fellowship of church leaders collaborating to advance the cause of Christ. Within this fellowship the mission of Community Outreach is to promote a commitment to the great commandment (Matt. 22:37), encourage uncompromising convictions concerning sound doctrine, (Titus 1:9), and inspire a consuming passion to see the world changed by the power of the Holy Spirit through the exaltation of Jesus Christ (I Cor. 1:23-24). Our message is powerful and uncompromising; our methodology adapts to meet the unique challenges of changing times. Our mission is understood and embraced within these three facets:
1. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Since the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit has endued the saints with power to take the message of the crucified, risen and soon coming Christ to a lost world. If we are going to reach the world and America for Christ we must have a fresh infusion of the Holy Spirit! In November 1914, our early leaders met at the Stone Church in Chicago and made an astounding declaration: “As a Council, we commit ourselves and the Movement to Him for the greatest evangelism that the world has ever seen”. How could such a small group of Christian believers even consider such a daunting task? Because their vision had been forged in the fires of Pentecostal revival! They believed Christ truly meant “… go into the entire world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15, NKJV), and that the power of the Holy Spirit would enable them (Acts 1:8). From the outset, our Fellowship has been marked by a vision to reach the entire world and a dependence on the Holy Spirit to do supernatural works. To God be the glory! We now have 295,000 churches, in 212 counties and over 57 million believers and adherents. The secret of church growth from the beginning is people endued with Pentecostal power; therefore we must proclaim and rely upon His help to reach our communities for Christ. Community Outreach is committed to seeing a fresh outpouring of Pentecostal power in every church we are asked to work with.
2. Equipping the Saints: Those who lead must grow. Leaders are living gifts to the church to direct others towards Christ, but cannot lead others where they have never been. Therefore we endeavor to equip others to be increasingly effective in the work of the ministry. (I Tim. 4:13-16) Through resources, seminars, discipleship training and mentoring, we are challenged to constant spiritual growth. Community Outreach strives to see believers grow into thriving church communities that promote an environment in which faithful men and women become lifelong learners, growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the wisdom of His high calling (Ephesians 1:15-18).
3. Evangelism: The message that God entrusted to believers is for the world, and the Word compels the church to deliver His message (Romans 10:14-15). The cost of silence will be measured in people lost for eternity. Evangelism is not only the great commission (Mark 16:15), it is the great commandment. It is the DNA of the church. The Father sent the Holy Spirit to empower believers to spread the good news of Jesus to every creature. (Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15) Evangelism is the tool to accomplish the great commandment and answer the question of Pentecost, “what does this mean?” (Acts 2:12) Community Outreach equips believers to evangelize their world to bring souls to Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul planted churches wherever people were receptive to the gospel. Evangelism can only be sustained through the establishment and development of the local church. Community Outreach is committed to inspiring a worshipping, witnessing, equipping, vibrant, growing, sending, life-changing, Pentecostal church proclaiming the eternal Word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in every community. The ministry of Community Outreach is to revitalize and empower believers to a commitment to expand the borders of the kingdom of God.
AG.org News & Information
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Art is continuous confirmation of iVALUE truths
The artwork of Ron DiCianni for the Assemblies of God and the iVALUE program were developed separately, but they are made for each other.
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Bike For The Light embarks on second tour
Johnny Kelley biked 10,000 miles through 16 states last year to raise money and awareness for Speed the Light. He spoke to more than 75,000 students and raised more than $10,000 and is planning for numbers to be even bigger this year. New tour begins in Dallas, Texas, on March 1, 2010, and will end at National Fine Arts Festival in Detroit, Michigan, this August.
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HCM commits the month of March to restoring Haiti
HealthCare Ministries is committing the month of March to getting medical teams into Haiti. HCM hopes to create a long-term presence in the country.
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Jesus in America
After being asked to lead the opening prayer for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Pastor Gerry Stoltzfoos was denied because of his refusal to omit Jesus' name from the prayer. Several recent polls express a majority of Christians in America do not consider belief in Jesus a requirement for eternal life. Zollie L. Smith Jr., national director of AG U.S. Missions, says these findings show a need for Christ-centered ministries in the United States.
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Ministry continues, but devastation still taking toll
As Convoy of Hope, AG World Missions and others work to provide relief to those suffering in Haiti, Calixte Fleuridor, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Haiti, tells of the trauma survivors are still experiencing.
