Vision and Values

Our Vision - WORD

The WORD Ministry seeks to join God in developing men and women into disciples for Christ.

What is a disciple of Jesus like?:

W - Worship

Jesus tells the woman at the well that God is looking for worshippers who worship him in spirit and truth.

Luke 10:27 (ESV)

“And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

O – Obedience

In the New Testament, Jesus clarifies his desire for only one kind of follower. In John 15:14 Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

You and I cannot say we are “abiding in Christ” without learning to be obedient to his teaching.

R - Relationship

Our relationship to Jesus impacts our connection to all people. It will help us to be better fathers/mothers, husbands/wives, friends, and co-workers.

John 13:35 (ESV) “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The key to the Christian life isn’t effort but our abiding relationship to Jesus Christ. This is where we learn to be his students, to live like him, choose like him, and have peace and power.  “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

D - Disciples Making 

Lastly, we are all called to be disciple makers for Jesus wherever we find ourselves.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Our Core Values

For a video presentation of the core values of the Word Ministry, click here.

People often think that the most distinctive or important part of the WORD Ministry is the WORD Retreat. It is not. The most important part of our WORD Ministry are the core values—the DNA—that will be the foundation for disciples who become disciple makers.  Below are the  6 core values of the WORD  Ministry that we passionately pursue and guard.

1. Disciple making – It’s a lifestyle.

We are a disciple-making movement of ordinary men and women seeking to be obedient to the call of Jesus to be his disciple makers.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

2. We are team centered.

We start with the team, and it is the team that leads and demonstrates the servant heart of Jesus to those who participate in our WORD Ministry.  Each team member is essential and works together to make disciples. It is the love for each other seen in the team that God uses to open hearts at the retreats. 

John 13:34-35 (ESV)

3. Self-replicating leadership. 

The purpose of the leadership team is to train and develop their replacements.  Leaders equip and replace themselves.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

4. We value the local church.

The host church is an integral part of this ministry. It provides accountability, a meeting place, assistance with meals, oversight, and prayer support. We seek to strengthen the local churches. We value the Bride of Christ.

Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV)

5. We value small groups.

Small groups offer support, accountability,  friendship development, and mentorship to followers of Jesus to become disciple makers.

Mark 3:14

6. We are a shared ministry.

We desire to share this ministry and do not consider it our own. Our purpose is to give it away to those who wish to disciple others for Christ.

Acts 2:44