New Passion’s core values make up the H.E.A.R.T. of our organization. They reflect the convictions and beliefs that make up our fundamental DNA. These statements describe who we are and how we operate.
Have Intimacy – In Matthew 22:37-38, Jesus was challenged by the religious leaders with a question, ‘Which is the greatest commandment in the law?‘ Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.‘ At New Passion our primary focus is to lead people into an intimate relationship with God. This is not accomplished through rules, laws or a set of guidelines, this happens solely through God’s Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Embrace Faith – In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul instructs the church of Ephesus that salvation and redemption is only found through God’s grace which is given when one places their faith in Jesus alone for salvation. At New Passion, we believe this is where our faith journey begins, but we do not believe it is the sum definition of the faith that we are called to. Christianity is a faith journey. We see Jesus call his disciples to an ever increasing life of faith the longer they were with him and even after his ascension:
Faith to do what Jesus did (Luke 9:1-9; 10:1-24)
Faith for their Safety (Luke 8:22-25)
Faith for their Provision (9:10-17)
Faith in Trouble (Matthew 14:22-34)
Faith to Start the First Century Church (Acts 1:6-2:4)
Authentic Community – Jesus came to form a family made up of imperfect people. He himself was born homeless and to common parents (). While on Earth he focused his love and attention on the broken, the outcast and the sick (Matthew 9:10-13; Luke 10:25-37; Luke 7:36-50). He calls us to do the same. Scripture tells us to be patient with each other and to make room for each others’ faults (Colossians 3:13), in the first century church the Apostles displayed that part of the purpose of church was to love for and care for each other and to take care of each others’ needs (Acts 2:42-47).
Revolutionary Compassion – Jesus made it clear in Matthew 22:39 that the second greatest commandment is just as important as the first, ‘to love your neighbor as yourself.‘ In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus points out that the compassion we share with our fellow man is received as if we are directly sharing that compassion with Jesus himself. James tells Christians in James 1:27 that pure and genuine religion is caring for widows and the orphans, those who are in distress. In James 2:14-20 he goes on to tell us that we can gauge whether our faith is dead or alive by our actions in the things that matter most to God.
Transform Lives – As Christians our ultimate goal is to become like Christ. Peter helps us understand that although that is our ultimate goal, it doesn’t happen overnight. Peter describes a new believer as a baby desiring milk (1 Peter 2:1-3). At New Passion we believe that changed lives produce changed lives. Our mission as a church is to lead people to a passionate realtionship with Jesus. Part of Jesus’ “Great Commission” was to go make new disciples and to teach those disciples in the ways of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). We understand that lives can only be transformed if we understand that we are a called people on mission and that we have a responsibility to tell others about the life changing grace of God (Romans 10:13-15).
