Our Ministry

Responding to God’s invitation, to live out our faith fully, in every aspect of our lives: we combine biblical scholarship with astute policy analysis to further economic justice, support interdependence, promote racial and ecological justice, and generally try to make the world a better place.

We envision a new generation of the church committed to a holistic expression of the Christian faith, motivated by a desire to fully live into the hope of reconciliation, wholeness, and restoration promised by the whole gospel. We gather people who are seeking healing from the trauma of a violent world, ministering to one another as they journey together in a brave space for dialogue, questioning, creating, and exploration, and seeking to be faithful followers of Jesus.

Holistic ministry views persons through God’s eyes, as body-soul wholes created to live in wholesome community. Thus the church ministers to every dimension of human need, and seeks wholeness at every level of society—individuals, families, communities, nations, and the global human family. Holistic ministry values every person as a unique and marvelous creation, bought by Christ, destined for eternity. Because of the Spirit’s power to make all things new, a transformational perspective sees persons in terms of their potential rather than their problems.

Holistic ministry breaks down the barriers between those serving and those being served.

Ministry does not feature perfect people who have it all together, reaching out to miserable needy sinners. Rather, we recognize that we are all on a journey of transformation together, “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor. 3:18). Each of us has contributed to the pain and suffering and decay in the world. We thus serve with a posture of gratitude and humility, acknowledging our own brokenness before the cross. Ministering Christ’s wholeness to others is part of what makes us whol

Holistic ministry takes place in holistic congregations, where disciples of Christ live out their salvation in loving fellowship. 

Pastor Dukes believes, "The characteristics of a holistic church is to be a reflection of the coming Kingdom, and we are to be doing the work of the Kingdom—a work of justice, of love, of healing, of hope and transformation.” 

Building a healthy church and reaching out beyond the church are no conflicting priorities. When the church functions rightly as the body of Christ, it will also serve as the hands and feet of Christ in the world.

Because the church plays a key role in God’s redemptive plan, the goal of holistic ministry is not just to bring persons to Christ but to welcome them into a congregation of his followers. 

Parachurch ministries fill an important role, but they cannot substitute for a worshiping, discipling church. Holistic churches welcome those who are served with open arms. They also call and equip new believers to join in the church’s mission.

A holistic approach also means that the whole church pulls together toward a unifying ministry vision that recognizes the unique gifts of each individual member. Each Christian bears fruit only as a branch of the larger vine (1 Cor. 12:20). Similarly, each individual congregation needs the ministry of the whole community of the redeemed.

We are called to reach our communities with the whole gospel for the whole person through whole churches. By living out the whole gospel, holistic ministry overcomes artificial divisions — between social action and evangelism, between ministering to individuals and seeking social justice, between an emphasis on discipleship and a passion for outreach.

Holistic ministry entails more than sponsoring a program here and there. It goes beyond short-term, relief-oriented aid. Holistic ministry in our churches means modeling God’s concern for the total well-being of persons and communities. It means an incarnational lifestyle of integrity, compassion, and invitation. It means sharing good news both for this life and for the life after death.

It means loving neighbors both far and near with the same joyous abandon that Jesus displayed, especially those who are most needy and least lovable.

The source of holistic ministry is God’s redeeming love and transformational power. This makes us bold in sharing God’s glorious salvation through word and deed. Not that our ministries presume to “save” others or to “fix” the world! But as Jesus told His followers, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).

As the Father desires that all should have abundant life, we too should help others realize their potential for living as God intended. Come, join with our community of faith as we follow Christ in holistic mission.”