MISSION, VISION & VALUES
OUR MISSION
Olive Branch seeks to change everyday people into a community of passionate Christ-followers for God’s glory.
OUR VISION
In the suburban jungle of America people have begun to lose their way. Many have lost their drive, lost their belief in God and lost their connection to others. Many are dismayed at what to do or have just given in. At Olive Branch we feel that has to change.
We believe that through the gospel of Jesus Christ and a passionate gathering of believers in a local church we can see these things changed. We can see a suburban world where men and women follow Jesus Christ with passion, live excellent lives for a great purpose beyond themselves, and be connected in strong and meaningful relationships.
We believe that Olive Branch is that local church. With a great mix of contemporary music, strong Bible teaching, powerful community small groups, and an active body in serving others and risking it all on mission, we are seeing these changes happen right now. We hope that you too will see these changes as you come and be a part of this movement.
OUR CORE VALUES
HOSPITALITY:
If we have all things but do not have love, we have nothing. Love is the core value of our human relationships, the church’s relationship with the world, and our relationship with each other. Hospitality expresses that love as they come in contact with us and our God in a way they relate to.
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10)
EXCELLENCE:
Whatever we do we should do it to show off God. God is an excellent God and so all that we do ought to reflect that.
“whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)
WORSHIP:
Worship is what life is about. Worship is not just singing, it is a life connected to God and living for God. All things that we do (except sin) can be worship as we give it to Jesus and show off God in it.
“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
BIBLE:
The center of all Christian thought and life comes from the Bible. Since it is our manual for life, all teaching/preaching, discipleship and structures of the church must be built form this book. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, “that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
PRAYER:
Without God empowering our actions we will not accomplish anything worthwhile. Prayer lines us up with God’s desires and his power. Prayer must be the engine for our mission, teaching and worship.
“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
PARTNERSHIP:
When we work together we are more like our Lord (since God is a Trinity). He has called us to partner together to accomplish His mission and He has gifted us for that task.
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good… All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ… As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.” (1 Corinthians 12:7; 11-12; 20)
MISSION:
The church is always one generation away from extinction. Where there is no worship of Christ, there must be mission. Mission makes worshipers, and will end when we are in heaven. We are promised however to never fail in God’s mission, so let’s be a part of it.
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”"
