Even though God is sovereign and in control, He has chosen to accomplish His redemptive purposes through His church. Because Centre Street Church stepped out in faith over the years to BUILD MORE ROOM FOR GOD, thousands of people have been introduced to Jesus, and we’ve been able to provide millions of dollars to support churches, missionaries, and mission agencies who share our vision and mission in our city, nation and around the world.
Why do we invest in buildings? Why don’t we just meet in homes?
- Buildings matter because they mattered in Scripture. All through the Bible God regularly called his people to come together to worship. In the OT era God called His people to celebrate various festivals and feasts, to gather regularly at the temple or tabernacle to give thanks for His faithfulness and goodness. In the NT the early church met in homes AND in larger numbers in the temple courts, to worship, to hear the teaching of the apostles, and to invite people to know Jesus.
Why does God want His people to gather together? Because when we are by ourselves, we are prone to forget God and all He has done for us, to go our own way, and even be seduced by counterfeit gods. God never intended us to live the Christian life alone.
We place high value on gathering together in small community groups, in homes and other spaces, to care for and pray for one another and to be on mission together. We also follow the example of the early church by coming together WEEKLY in larger spaces to worship and praise our Lord for all He is doing, to fellowship together, to hear the gospel, and to have our faith strengthened. By testimonies and the consistent preaching of God’s Word the essentials of the faith are taught; and children, youth and adults of all ages are equipped and discipled.
- Buildings matter because people matter. Our mission as a church is not to construct buildings. It is to introduce people to Jesus and help them become His fully devoted followers. Buildings don’t make disciples, but God uses what takes place in buildings to make disciples.
- Permanent buildings matter because they are a visible sign of the church’s presence, where people can find help, hope, meaning and community. Church buildings can serve as a lighthouse--a visible reminder to lost and hurting people that there is hope to be found in Jesus.
OUR VISION is for all of our campuses to eventually have a permanent home.
OUR MISSION will not be complete until Jesus comes again. Our God-given mission is not complete as long as there is even one person in this city, nation or world who hasn’t been introduced to Christ.
Please do for the next generation and future generations what the past generations have done for you. Will you pray for, teach and/or serve children, youth or adults the way others prayed for, taught and served you? Will you pray for and invite someone in your sphere of influence the way someone prayed for and invited you?
And will you give over and above your regular giving to provide more room for God to reach and impact the next generation the way past generations made more room for you to be part of our church family?
A living church is a light to our world. Please join together with other like-minded Christians, invest your life in that which will glorify God, and leave to those who come behind you a legacy of living, serving and giving.