Continuing our discussion on our North Side mission strategy, I now want to indulge a little deeper. Our mission strategy focuses on three things: personal evangelism, strategic partnerships, and cooperative program. For the next few days, I want to explain how we prioritize our strategic partnerships:
In addition to the task of personal evangelism, North Side will also impact the world one life at a time by engaging in strategic partnerships. Before Christ ascended into heaven, He promised that the disciples would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them in order to be Christ’s witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Since Christ had already commanded them to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth (Matt. 28:18-20), He emphasized strategic places they would go. Following that example, North Side will ascertain strategic partnerships in which to get involved here in Greenwood (Jerusalem), in the United States (Judea), differing ethnic groups (Samaria), and to the ends of the earth.
With the huge amount of needs in the world, how is North Side able to determine which mission endeavors with which to partner? Through much prayer, the church leadership will choose those locations and those endeavors based upon these biblical priorities:
Greatest Need
While there are plenty of places to get involved, we must put a priority on those people and places who have limited or no access to the gospel (Rom. 10:14). If a group of people don’t have access to the gospel, we must prioritize the need to get to them first where Christ is not known or there is not an evangelical church present (Rom. 15:20). While this is not the sole priority, much attention must be given to focusing on places who have the greatest need for the gospel.
The other priorities to come…
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
