That mission requires the proclamation of Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word of God. We name him and claim him as our living Lord and Savior. Moreover, we are compelled to spread Jesus' message of love and salvation to all who will hear. Indeed the Church, which we believe to be the body of Christ, exists for that very purpose. But our church also fills another role.
Every local church is a part of the larger community in which it is located.
We share our neighborhoods, our schools, our workplaces and our public spaces with many people who are not members of our church. Some of our neighbors hold religious beliefs very similar to our own. Some do not. Although our church's stated purpose is to proclaim the Gospel, we often open our doors to the community for other reasons as well. We host Scout troops, sell barbecue, convene 12-step meetings and give teacher appreciation dinners, for example.