Our Vision

MISSION

Mission is what we are called to do in the world. We believe the mission God has given us is known as the Great Commission and were Jesus' last words to His followers before ascending into heaven.

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Mt 28:18–20 (NLT)

We say it this way...

People helping people follow Jesus

VALUES

What is important to us?

Values define the culture we create as we carry out our mission. All of our efforts to provide a context for Belonging, Becoming and Blessing are shaped by these values:

Family

We value the biblical ideal of church as a spiritual family where everyone is welcome, everyone matters, and everyone has a part to play. Family is fundamental to creating a sense of belonging. We work to support and strengthen nuclear families, where much of our learning to follow Jesus occurs, and we acknowledge that within God’s Kingdom, family transcends biological parameters. Mt 12:49–50 (NLT), Eph 2:19-20 (NLT)

Care

Members of a family care for one another in tangible ways out of loving concern for one another in times of need and also in the ordinary events of life. Care takes many forms including providing for one another, serving one another, forgiving one another, encouraging one another, praying for one another, accompanying one another, etc. Php 2:3–5 (NLT), Col 3:14 (NLT)

Grace

None of us are perfect or innocent and yet God has found a way to remain in relationship with us, not holding our faults against us. We reflect this grace of God when we refuse to let our differences form a barrier in our relationship with one another. With a spirit of generosity, we approach one another with open hearts, open hands and open minds, seeking to build respect and trust with one another. Col 3:12–13 (NLT), 2 Cor 5:18-19 (NLT)

Transformation

Transformation is the active work of the grace of God in our lives. We expect that as we are obedient to the teachings and the Spirit of Jesus, we will become more and more like Jesus in our attitudes behaviours and character. Col 3:7–10 (NLT), Rom 12:2 (NLT)

The Gathered and Scattered Church

Whatever we do when we gather together needs to impact how we live when we're not. We spend more time in our everyday lives than we do in our gatherings, but there is an important connection. Our gatherings affect our lives, our lives affect our gatherings. So we recognize that we live our lives as both the gathered and the scattered church.

Gathered (together)

How do we go about it accomplishing mission?
Recognizing that each individual’s journey of following Jesus is unique, Country Hills Church supports the journey by providing a context to meet the common needs of Belonging, Becoming and Blessing.

BELONGING

Following Jesus was never intended to be a solo experience. Belonging is about developing deeper relationships with the Triune God, with other Jesus followers and with the world around us.

BECOMING

Following Jesus results in becoming more and more like Jesus in our attitudes, behaviours and character. This is an on-going process for all believers and requires intentionality, encouragement and practice.

BLESSING

Following Jesus leads us to become the hands and feet of Jesus, carrying God’s love in practical ways to a hurting world, so fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.

Providing a context for Belonging, Becoming and Blessing means that we:

1. Learn Together
We teach about, and provide tangible opportunities to practice belonging, becoming and blessing that extend from our congregation to our homes and to the world around us.

2. Celebrate Together
We celebrate the wins in belonging, becoming and blessing in our personal lives, within our church family and our outreach to the world around us. This fosters a culture of gratitude as we acknowledge how God is working in our midst, keeps our mission in focus, and helps us to discern God’s leading.

3. Welcome and Send
We nurture a climate of welcome to our gatherings, groups and growth opportunities, and most importantly, we welcome others into our very lives. We also send one another, with support and encouragement to those places where God is calling us to be salt and light or inviting us to further preparation for Kingdom work.

Scattered (On my own)

At Country Hills Church we define a healthy follower of Jesus as someone who is living “The Way of Jesus” where God has us planted (in our neighbourhoods, school, homes etc.).

Jesus called his first disciples to come and follow Him. He is still calling us to follow Him, to help each other follow Him, and to invite others to follow Him too. The Way of Jesus is all about following Jesus: living like Jesus, for Jesus and in the power of the Spirit of Jesus. As we follow Jesus, and as He lives in and through us by His Spirit, we will lead lives that glorify God and make disciples.

I find my PURPOSE and IDENTITY, my very life in the life of JESUS. My eyes are fixed on Him. I live out that Purpose and Identity in following Him – imitating Him and growing to be like Him. His gives me His very life by His Spirit, I have the Power to grow and learn to be like Him. ‘Like Jesus, For Jesus and in the Power of the Spirit of Jesus.’

We use “The Way of Jesus” as a framework to follow Jesus, and as a platform for lifelong spiritual growth. The way of Jesus is 7 guiding statements that show us how to follow Jesus. In helping each other live them we accomplish our mission of being “people helping people follow Jesus.”

The Way of Jesus

HIS LIFE - I have begun following Jesus, and am depending on the Spirit of Jesus in my journey.
HIS MISSION - I am being sent by Jesus to bless others and invite them to follow Him too.
HIS CHARACTER - I am learning to be like Jesus in my attitudes, behaviours, and character.
HIS LOVE - I am learning to love God and love others.
HIS TEACHINGS - I am learning the teachings of Jesus.
HIS DISCIPLERS - I am helping someone and someone is helping me to be a reproducing follower of Jesus.
HIS COMMUNITY - I am participating in a community of followers of Jesus on mission to the world.

Practices of the Way of Jesus

If the way of Jesus is the framework, then the practices of the way of Jesus are the rest of the house – the visible things you interact with a use every day. Incorporating these practices into your daily life will help you follow Jesus more intentionally, help you and others experience abundant life in Christ, and help you to plant seeds for the Kingdom of God.

Spiritual Health – consistent and deep prayer life including listening prayer, a life of worship and thanksgiving, regular quiet times with God to read the bible and pray every day, intimate and Spirit led relationship with God at all times, walking in freedom from sin through confession and repentance, and living a life in full surrender and submission to Jesus as our functional Lord
Multiplication – taking opportunities to bless others to soften their hearts towards Jesus, planting seeds of the good news of Jesus whenever possible, inviting others to follow Jesus, discipling others and being discipled
Community – active involvement in a church community by participating in the mission of the local church
Sabbath – Learn a rhythm of rest and work (daily, weekly and annually, taking one day per week to rest and shift your focus to restoration, relationships, and God)
Generosity – being a good steward of my money, time, and energy and sharing those with others generously
Service - serving in at least one regular way in the church, or your neighbourhood (city), or the world
Marriage & Family – having Jesus centred marriages and teaching our children in the home about how to follow Jesus

VISION

Country Hills Church will be…

a CHURCH FAMILY that people want to be a part of with a positive impact on our world, a PLACE to heal, grow, and thrive that also raises up spiritual leaders.

A church family that people want to be a part of…

We will be a church family where everyone feels welcome, know they matter and belong, and finds meaning and purpose - with each other and through their journey with Jesus.

A church family with a positive impact on our world…

We will bless and help our community, city, and world in practical ways like: food, shelter, resources, hands on help, support groups, seminars, financial support etc. and have a reputation for helping others with the same love we’ve experienced from Jesus.

A place to heal, grow, and thrive…

Our programs, projects, and gatherings will help individuals and households to heal and mature spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Discipleship with one another in these areas of focus leads to healthier and more Christlike people and households, and a better relationship with God and others.

A place that raises up spiritual leaders…

Through teaching, training, and intentional mentoring we will raise up and release (spiritual) leaders for Kingdom ministry within Country Hills Church, our community, and beyond.