Mission & Vision

MINISTRY

As the Father has sent me, so I send you - John 20:21
We're Christ’s ambassadors, sent to do his work: sharing the gospel, teaching the Word, caring for our neighbors and loving one another. This is the way to life abundant. Our ministries are directed and shaped by the Word of Christ. Click here to see a list of our ministries.

MISSIONs

Immeasurably more than all we asked or imagined - Ephesians 3:20
We never dreamed over forty years ago what God would do when he sent us to the mission fields of East Africa. Partnering with our brethren, by God’s grace, we have helped establish hundreds of churches, a children’s home, a Bible institute, a media production studio, and most recently, a major university. Click here to read how mission work has transformed Quaker Avenue.

COMMUNITY

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace  - Ephesians 4:3
We strive to be a community of faith. Though we differ in many ways, what we all have in common is Christ. We’re committed to fulfilling Christ’s request in his last recorded prayer before going to the cross,
May they  be brought to complete unity to let the world know you sent me and have loved them as you have loved me." - John 17:23
May they  be brought to complete unity to let the world know you sent me and have loved them as you have loved me." - John 17:23
May they  be brought to complete unity to let the world know you sent me and have loved them as you have loved me."
John 17:23
Below is a unity statement embraced by the church. Click here to learn more about the history of unity at Quaker.

A Unity Covenant

As disciples of Jesus, we covenant together, by God’s grace,

To share our Lord’s passion and urgency for unity among believers as he expressed in his prayer before going to  the cross.
John 17:20-26

To recognize the importance of unity and love among believers in Christ in successfully communicating the gospel to the world.
John 13:34-35

To turn away from any kind of divisive or factious spirit which is not characteristic of the spirit of Christ
Galatians 5:20

To acknowledge that while we may differ in our understanding of what Christian unity requires, such differences should not prevent us from making every effort to do what leads to greater peace and understanding among us.
Romans 14:19

"In faith, unity; in opinion, liberty; in all things, love."

family emphasis

The scriptures encourage us to belong to congregations of believers that are extended spiritual family to one another. That means we have been called into relationship with one another. As a spiritual family, we refer to one another as brothers and sisters, and are led by elders who serve as spiritual mentors to us. We’re exhorted in scripture to develop close and meaningful relationships with each other where we bear with each other, forgive one another, encourage, teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:12-17). We believe that when congregations become communities of people who know and love one another, who see each other as an extended spiritual family, the children especially benefit. For that reason, we strive to create an atmosphere at Quaker Avenue that will nurture such relationships, especially between the children and the rest of the congregation. By the time our children graduate from high school, we hope and expect they will have among their closest relationships, not only their peers, but many other spiritual aunts, uncles and grandparents, as well.

Along with the importance of being a spiritual family, we also believe we should encourage our parents to take lead in teaching their children. We believe no one is better equipped to teach a child than the child’s parents. Ultimately, the critical truths of life are learned less in a classroom than in the everyday examples and mentoring parents provide. For that reason, in contrast to the traditional Sunday School used by most churches, we have opted to invest our time and resources into programs and materials that build confidence in parents to be teachers of their children and to create in our congregation an intergenerational fellowship that nurtures the spiritual development of all.

Below is a list of some of the activities and programs we have developed at Quaker Avenue to encourage our parents and to help us become a spiritual family of God.
The scriptures encourage us to belong to congregations of believers that are extended spiritual family to one another. That means we have been called into relationship with one another. As a spiritual family, we refer to one another as brothers and sisters, and are led by elders who serve as spiritual mentors to us. We’re exhorted in scripture to develop close and meaningful relationships with each other where we bear with each other, forgive one another, encourage, teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:12-17). We believe that when congregations become communities of people who know and love one another, who see each other as an extended spiritual family, the children especially benefit. For that reason, we strive to create an atmosphere at Quaker Avenue that will nurture such relationships, especially between the children and the rest of the congregation. By the time our children graduate from high school, we hope and expect they will have among their closest relationships, not only their peers, but many other spiritual aunts, uncles and grandparents, as well.

Along with the importance of being a spiritual family, we also believe we should encourage our parents to take lead in teaching their children. We believe no one is better equipped to teach a child than the child’s parents. Ultimately, the critical truths of life are learned less in a classroom than in the everyday examples and mentoring parents provide. For that reason, in contrast to the traditional Sunday School used by most churches, we have opted to invest our time and resources into programs and materials that build confidence in parents to be teachers of their children and to create in our congregation an intergenerational fellowship that nurtures the spiritual development of all.

Below is a list of some of the activities and programs we have developed at Quaker Avenue to encourage our parents and to help us become a spiritual family of God.

Faith Development Course

A special workshop for families to meet together with their children to discuss several issues surrounding the decision to become a disciple of Jesus and be baptized 

Patchwork Families

An intergenerational, small-group experience designed to nurture children in which members of all ages create "patchwork families" and experience activities that allow young and old to teach one another spiritual truths 

A-Z Scripture Memory

Scriptures are designated for younger and older children to memorize and  recite each week at our "His Kids" devo where talents are awarded with each learned scripture to be redeemed for prizes at the "store" 

His Kids

A devotional for younger children based on the great stories of the bible follows each Sunday morning service led by various members of the congregation, using especially our fathers 

Faith Development Course

A special workshop for families to meet together with their children to discuss several issues surrounding the decision to become a disciple of Jesus and be baptized

Patchwork Families

Occasionally, we have intergenerational, small-group experiences designed to nurture children in which members of all ages create "patchwork families" and experience activities that allow young and old to teach one another spiritual truths

Bonus Feature

Several times a semester, our youth assist some of our adults in having a special teaching and activity time for our younger kids. This occurs before the morning service. 

His Kids

A devotional for younger children based on the great stories of the bible follows each Sunday morning service led by various members of the congregation, using especially our fathers 

Tell Me My Story

Marriage & Parenting Seminars

A family Bible study curriculum developed by our leaders  provided to each of our families to help lead them through a systematic study of 48 "essential" stories of the scriptures, which provide a spiritual foundation for faith development
Seminars and special workshop opportunities provided as needed to provide support and continuing instruction for young couples, parents, parents of adolescents and stepfamilies

Family Musical Activities

Family members of all ages are encouraged to participate in several musical experiences throughout the year, often including Christmas and Easter musicals

Service Projects

Opportunities are provided for families to work together in a variety of ministries to the community including Carpenter's Kitchen, Family Promise, and the Ronald McDonald House.