Mission Strategy

Mission Strategy 2018-2023

The Mission

God has called His last-day people to reach everyone, everywhere with the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 14:6-12) As members of Pennsylvania Conference, He has assigned us this corner of Earth as our mission field. The harvest of souls Jesus will reap at His return will in a large part be influenced by our faithful attention to the mission God has entrusted us with. The mission strategy for 2018-2023 unites us together in faithfully fulfilling our mission.

How We Fulfill the Mission

In the Pennsylvania Conference, our churches, schools and Laurel Lake Camp unite together to share the wonderful good news of Jesus and His promised return.

This is not a mission of institutions, but of people. Every one of us, as believers in Jesus, is called by God and essential to His cause to win lost souls. This is why Total Member Involvement is a core theme in our Conference. Our mission field is vast, the needs are great, and every member is vital.

As each of us engages in using our gifts, talents, and means to advance God’s cause, we personally are benefitted. We grow in spiritual fervor, our affections are more infused with love for God and others, our character adopts Christlike virtues, and our whole Christian life becomes more real, earnest, and prayerful. (Christ Object Lessons, p. 354) Isn’t this the experience every sincere Christian desires?

“The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world.”

Ellen White
The Acts of the Apostles, p. 9

Go and Grow!

Jesus commanded the church to “go and make disciples of all nations,” promising us that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached as a witness to all the nations and then the end will come” (Matthew 28:18-20; 24:14). The early church obeyed and saw remarkable growth as a result. “The word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly” (Acts 6:7).

God’s command to go and His promise of a great harvest is extremely relevant today. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we believe the Almighty will unite us together to see the following faith goals accomplished to His glory:

Majority of members praying for outpouring of Holy Spirit
Plant 13 new churches (10%*)
Lead 700 people to Christ annually (6%*)
Increase net membership to 13,000 (8%*)
$13 million annual tithe (10%*)
Increase school enrollments by 10%*
Increase church attendance

Everyone can do something to hasten the coming of Jesus. It is when we unite together in prayer, through serving and by giving, that we will fulfill the mission and reach everyone, everywhere with the gospel.

*Percent growth in the quinquennium

“God does not generally work miracles to advance His truth…He works according to great principles made known to us, and it is our part to mature wise plans, and set in operation the means whereby God shall bring about certain results.”

Ellen White, Christian Service, p. 228

2018-2023 Strategic Initiatives

By My Spirit

Prayer for the Holy Spirit is the foundation of success in God’s work. As church members pray daily for the outpouring of the Spirit, we will see the promised blessing come. “To those who wait humbly upon God…is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 672)

Faith for Family

Empower every member and church to powerfully share the good news of Jesus Christ through public evangelism, Bible studies, and vibrant churches. Resource and equip churches to connect with their communities in vital and inviting ways. Help churches be healthy, Spirit-filled communities that reflect the love of God.

Pray, Plan, Plant

New churches are planted to win unreached people in unentered areas. Intentionally target a geographic area with the message of the Gospel, creating small groups who provide ongoing Bible study, teaching and encouragement among new believers. Planting new churches is a proven way to reach more people and grow God’s kingdom.

Regeneration

Resource plateaued and dying churches so they grow again through fresh vision and evangelistic effort. Creating a renewed focus and emphasis on Jesus in the lives of members. Developing a vision to engage in intentional outreach efforts corporately as a church. Creating a culture of praying for people to be drawn to Jesus and His last-day message.

Together for our Kids

Adventist education is vital to save our young people and ensure the future of the church’s mission. Our goal is to help schools provide students every opportunity for their spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth, equipping them not only for their future in this world, but also for eternity. Our schools will enable young people to grow in their relationship with Jesus and lead them to use their gifts and abilities to serve others.

Reach & Connect

With over 95 percent of Americans accessing the internet, online outreach campaigns will engage people in Bible studies and church events. Social media is the new front¬line of evangelism, based on Christ’s method to mingle with people where they are, sympathize with them, meet their needs, invite them to follow Jesus, and connect them with a local church family in their community.

Power the Mission

God powers His last-day mission through our faithful return of tithes, offerings, bequests, and other gifts. Generosity opens the way for abundant blessings upon our lives. Equip people to engage in God’s blessings through giving, now and in the future, and support specific projects that change lives and draw people to Christ.

Chosen and Called

Inspire, engage, and disciple young people to love and serve God as a vibrant experience that impacts lives. Every young person in our churches is loved, chosen and called by God. They are a powerful force for good and are the “army of workers” who will take “the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Savior…to the whole world!” (Counsels to Teachers, Parents, and Students, p. 555)

Planeación Estratégica 2018-2023

Join the Movement!

Total Member Involvement is a global Seventh-day Adventist evangelistic initiative that involves every member, every church, every administrative entity, every type of public outreach ministry, personal and institutional outreach. Everyone can do something to hasten the coming of Jesus!
Pennsylvania Conference members are committed to reach our part of the vineyard with the good news of Jesus Christ and His promised return. How can you be a part of this great movement of God’s message across our state?

Pray for our pastors, Bible instructors and members as they share the gospel in their communities.
Get involved in the outreach ministries of your church.
Befriend new members and visitors.
Participate in Faith for Family events.
Start a small group in your home and invite family, friends and coworkers.
Give generously to support the work both in your local church and across the Conference.

“The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.”

Testimonies for the Church