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Our Mission and Vision
OUR GOAL
Committed Compassionate Christians
Jesus looked at the crowds that followed Him and “had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) Our goal at Evergreen is to build a church filled with Christian who have the heart of Jesus. We believe that compassion is a primary measure of Christian maturity. We believe our world desperately needs to experience compassionate and committed Christ-followers. God has commanded His people to bring the Good News and the good deeds of Jesus Christ to a needy world. And at the heart of His command, is compassion.
- HOW do we make “Committed Compassionate Christians” at Evergreen?
- HOW can YOU grow spiritually at Evergreen?
We have a three-fold strategy to build "Committed Compassionate Christians".
What does this cycle mean?
All through the Bible, our spiritual lives are compared to plants. Plants go through growth stages. In the same way, our spiritual lives go through growth stages. We encourage spiritual growth by following this process—a never ending cycle of spiritual growth. We never “graduate” from needing the truth of God, the community of fellow believers, and the mission of giving our lives away for the Kingdom.
Take Root
First, plants germinate and send their roots down into the rich, dark soil. Christians grow when we send our roots down into the truth of God.
Grow
Second, plants grow when they absorb vital nutrients and light. Christians grow when we get intimately involved with other Christians.
Sow
Third, plants complete their growth by sowing seeds, by giving their life away. Christians continue to grow by sowing seed and giving our lives away.
TAKE ROOT in the truth
What does this mean?
All through the Bible, our spiritual lives are compared to plants. We begin to grow when we send our roots down into the truth of God’s Word.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)
At Evergreen, the place we begin to send down our roots is at the weekend services. Then deeper roots can be sent down through Evergreen University.
Weekend Services
Visit our weekend services to find information about upcoming messages and directions to our location.
Evergreen University
Evergreen U is the teaching program of Evergreen-Bloomington offering a variety of short term classes, seminars, conferences and studies at various times and locations. But more than that, Evergreen U provides an opportunity to “connect” with others at Evergreen in a place where you can discuss and better understand biblical truths and their value in everyday life. The long term goal of Evergreen U is to offer learning resources on our web site. Visit Evergreen U for schedules and descriptions.
GROW in community
What does this mean?
All through the Bible, our spiritual lives are compared to plants. Once we take root in the truth, a new spurt of growth occurs when we connect with other believers. In the redwood forest, trees are able to grow tall because their roots entangle with neighboring trees. This extra stability keeps them from being knocked over by strong winds. In the same way we grow strong when we “entangle” our lives with other Christians.
Christians in the first church were very devoted to one another:
“They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer…..And all the believers met together constantly …. They worshiped together at the Temple …. met in homes …. and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.”Acts 2:42-47 (NLT select portions)
Therefore, inspired by the first church, Evergreen’s way to develop community occurs in Growth Groups. The first church met in homes. This is why we have Growth Groups that meet in homes.
Visit our Growth Group page to get more information about our groups.
SOW by giving
What does this mean?
All through the Bible, our spiritual lives are compared to plants. A plant’s growth is not complete until it sows seed or reproduces.
Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.John 12:23-26 (NIV)
God designed us to grow by giving our lives away. Just as a plant does not fulfill its God-designed destiny until it sows seeds and reproduces, so we do not fulfill our destiny until we give our lives away. We want to help you give your life away and become very fruitful!
At Evergreen, there are two main giving opportunities:
1. Ministry (loving the saved)
Good deeds towards fellow believers. Get involved! Check out our Volunteer page to learn about current volunteer needs.
2. Outreach (loving the lost)
Good deeds and speaking the Good News towards people outside the church.
- We offer periodic short-term missions trips to South America, Europe, and even here in Bloomington! Check the Announcements to learn about upcoming trips.
- Or you can serve at an outreach event to the community. Check the Announcements to learn about upcoming outreach opportunities.
