The writer of Proverbs wrote, "Where there is no vision, the people perish (29:18). At Mount Olive it is our desire that you catch the vision God has given us that you begin to visualize the invisible. We have worked hard at defining our vision so that it is clear, challenging, and concise.
Mount Olive's Vision Statement
The vision of Mount Olive Baptist Church is to be a culturally relevant African American church that provides dynamic worship of God, while extending his transforming Grace to reach the unchurched community.
There are several key phrases that outline our vision:
Committed to Dynamic Worship
It is our vision to provide a worship service where the grace of God and broken humanity meet. It is our belief that sinful humanity needs an encounter with the divine. It is our intention to be a meeting place, where the hurting, the depressed, the frustrated, and the confused can find love, acceptance, help, hope, forgiveness, and encouragement through an authentic worship with inspiring music, dynamic preaching, powerful prayers and warm fellowship.
Transformation Through Christian Education
It is our vision to have every member of our congregation involved in ongoing Christian education learning. We believe that God calls us all to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 1 Timothy 2:15. Therefore it is our vision to provide a wide variety of classes, workshops, seminars, retreats, and small groups that will facilitate the biblical, spiritual, and cultural growth and transformation of our members. For us, Christian education involves not only Bible classes, but may also involve Black History, parenting skills, economic development workshops, health seminars, financial planning etc. We are interested in ministering to the whole person.
Committed to Missions Around the Corner and Around the World
It is our vision to be doers as well as hearers of the word. As such, we are committed to being God's hands, God's feet and God's ears to suffering humanity wherever we find them. We will maintain an active Benevolence ministry that is open to all regardless of race, to provide help and hope. We take seriously the mandate to take the Gospel into all the world. We believe that our destiny is tied to the destiny of suffering people around the world. Therefore, it is our vision to support Global Missions in such a way that we not only preach the Gospel, but that we can actually be the Good News through providing schools, clinics, food, churches, etc.
Committed to Youth Empowerment
It is our vision to involve our youth in a transforming relationship with Jesus Christ at an early age. We believe that it is easier to build a boy or girl than it is to mend a man or a woman. Therefore, we are committed to ministry to youth. We are further committed to the education of our youth and have decided to give a substantial amount a year toward the continued education of our youth. Our vision is to make moral men and women out of our children. We want to have an exciting, relevant and dynamic ministry for youth that meets their spiritual, academic, cultural, and economic needs.
Committed to Adequate Space
It is our vision to provide space for the community to celebrate faith and life. We want to provide space for people to learn as wells as enjoy family and friends through dance and fellowship. We want to provide space for the young and old to experience relationships in a safe place that encourages new possibilities in church.