Vision & Values
Matthew 28:19 says:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."
In line with this command, our vision is to help people in the DC area and beyond become fully devoted disciples of Christ. We characterize a "fully devoted disciple" as one who is intimately connected to Christ. By this, a person has come to know Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior, realizing that it is through faith alone in the person and work of Christ that one is saved. In response to God's grace, that person seeks to daily know Christ and become like Him by spending time in His Word, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines.
A fully devoted disciple is also one who is committed to Christ's community. This means that this person realizes that s/he now has a spiritual family through Christ and realizes that spiritual growth and support is impossible without His community. Thus, they wholeheartedly commit to Christ's community by regularly participating in the life of the local church, for example, through small groups and Sunday services, and by serving with his/her gifts.
Lastly, a fully devoted disciple is one who is abandoned to Christ's cause. This means that that person realizes that part of being a Christ-follower is to live for Christ, His Cause, and His Kingdom. Thus, through one's resources (e.g., time, money, energy), s/he seeks to advance the cause of Christ by praying for those who do not know Christ in DC and throughout the world; gives to the local church; participates in missions (either locally or globally); displays God's justice in DC and beyond; and actively engages in personal evangelism so that others may also become fully devoted disciples of Christ.
The following are GCCC's core values. We believe that:
- ... all activities and ministries ought to be God-centered and God-honoring.
- ... the Gospel of Christ should be central in our teachings and ministries.
- ... all decisions, ministries, and activities must be led and empowered by the Holy Spirit because apart from God we can do nothing.
- ... the Word of God is our final authority and the lens through which we view all of life and test all things.
- ... our relationship with God and others ought to be marked by humility, integrity, and authenticity.
- ... people matter to God so they should matter to us.
- ... everyone needs a place to belong, to be cared for, and to grow. We believe that this is best found in small groups.
- ... spiritual and emotional healing is an essential part of our walk with God and transformation into Christ's image.
- ... everyone is a 'minister' and should steward his or her spiritual gifts.
- ... the Great Commission should affect all aspects of our personal and community life.
- ... outreach to our community, nation, and world ought to be holistic (i.e., in word AND deed).
- ... churches ought to be multiplying through church planting.