It is difficult to pinpoint the diving line between where Horizons Church starts and outreach ministry begins. They are almost one-and-the-same thing! Let me explain. From our beginnings in February 2005 our church has been focused on building up and encouraging our city through kindness evangelism, providing basic services to those in need through our Storehouse ministry (food pantry, job placement, resume building, financial assitance, and prayer counseling), and community outreach events like our movie in the park, gas buy down blitzes, and Faith in ACTION campaign. As our self-understanding as a church develops and we continue to process through what "outreach" ministry actually looks like, some values have come to the forefront.

Outreach ministry should be HOLISTIC. We are not only or merely seeking to feed someone or pay a bill, though we will continue to do this. We are not only or merely seeking to fill our church with a lot of people, though this is happening. We are not only or merely evangelizing, though people are being saved. What we are trying to do in all that we do is to build up the whole person - spiritual, physical, and emotional. While it is good to help people in any one of these three areas, it is our belief that it is better to seek holistic ministry that empowers the whole person.

Outreach ministry should be ASSET-BASED. This is a fancy way of saying what Edgar Cahn (founder of Time Banks USA) said in his book "No More Throwaway People": You have what you need when you use what you have! There are dormant, untapped resources available within the people and institutions in our own communitites. It just takes eyes to see them! We all have something to offer in order to establish God's kingdom. Practically, this means that instead of focusing on NEEDS we are beginning to understand the importance of focusing on RESOURCES. The main question we are asking of all those both giving and receiving services is "what do you have to offer to others?"

Outreach ministry should be incorporate COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. What this means is that we are seeking to partner with others. We see the value of acquiring and implementing the opinions and insights of those in our community who have been pushed to the margins. It is often the outsider that has the best insight into what needs to change to make our city a better place to live! And by validiating the opinion of those on the "outside" they are brought "inside" and become shapers of the city's direction, helping to build the kingdom of God. Community participation also means putting down our personal desires in order to share the load and work of ministry with others.

Outreach ministry should be SUSTAINABLE. Whatever program or endeavor is started should fit into a larger picture. Part of understanding ministry as sustainable is recognizing that consitency and a constant presence in and for the community is extremely important. Sustainable ministries take more work but are better in the long run, both for those who benefit from their existence AND in terms of witnessing to the reign of God; a reign that extends to eternity.

Contact Jon Wiest at 972-689-9936 for more information about Horizons outreach...