VISION & DNA
Lone Willow Baptist Church will make disciples and plant churches by proclaiming and displaying the grace of God to sinners and sufferers.
The vision of Lone Willow Baptist Church is to be a family— united not by common backgrounds, similar interests or shared ambitions, but a diverse group of people from all kinds of backgrounds united in love by the grace and mercy of Jesus —a compelling community—who ferociously loves Jesus and one another and gives their lives to the mission of glorifying God, growing current disciples, and making new disciples.
The DNA of Lone Willow Baptist Church describes our values, or family traits. By instilling these six traits into our church, we can embark on the journey God has called us to; that as we treasure Jesus, cultivate deep friendships, and boldly evangelize, the gospel will take hold and disciples will be made and churches will be planted for the good of the city and the glory of God.
WE ARE TO BE A PEOPLE WHO...
Treasure Jesus
Truth
The first and most important thing Lone Willow Baptist Church will be about is Jesus. We must refocus our view of the true Jesus as one who holds all things together (Col 1:17). Jesus is truth (Jn 14:6, Jn 16:13). He is revealed in the truth of Scripture (Jn 17:17) and we seek to glorify Him in truth (Ps 51:6).
Worship
We were not created to worship but created as worshipers who are at all times worshiping something or someone. Your time, energy, creativity, money, and resources are always being poured out towards what you are captured by, towards what has your affections. The Cross frees us to stir our affections for the True and Living God who alone is worthy of all worship. All of life is worship (Rom 12:1).
Cultivate Deep Friendships
Culture of Grace
Deep friendships happen in authentic, gritty, raw community (Pr 27:17). The family already forming meets and celebrates life with good food and good laughs. We stir one another up to love and good deeds (Heb 10:24). We are cultivating a culture where we don’t hide our sin and suffering but can honestly expose it (1 Jn 1:7). Where we respond to one another in prayer and gentleness pointing one another to Jesus (Gal 6:1, Rom 12:10). Where we walk intimately with one another in our sin and suffering. Where we are transparent, not superficial; brothers and sisters, not acquaintances; known and loved, not disconnected and lonely.
Compelling Community
We are called to be a community who by our love for each other makes visible the love of our invisible God. A community who is the apologetic of the gospel to the not yet Christians around us (Jn 13:35). Also we are called to be a community who blesses the greater community (Cleburne) we are a part of (Jer 29:7), not by railing against it from the outside but by loving it from the inside. By caring for orphans (and poor) and widows (and single moms) and the homeless and the fatherless and the oppressed (Jas 1:27), like Jesus (Luke 4:18-19).
Boldly Evangelize
Message of Grace
People changed by the message of God’s grace are to share it with others (Matt 28:19-20). Knowing that God put us where we are, at this time, for His purpose (Acts 17:26), we boldly proclaim the gospel (Rom 10:14-15) and intentionally display it by being purposeful in everything we do. Hobbies, work, dinner, marriage, music—everything is done on mission for the gospel and for the city, and for the people of the city, like Jesus did (Jn 1:14)—even as we seek the city to come (Heb 13:14).
Church Planting
As the Father sent the Son, so the Son sends us to proclaim and display the gospel (Jn 17:18). As we proclaim the gospel and minister as a family in Cleburne, Jesus will save people and then send them as well. Some will be sent back into their current location, while others will go to surrounding areas like Godley, Glen Rose, Burleson, Rio Vista and even across international borders (Acts 1:8). We are to be fruitful and multiply, working to see the earth filled with the glory of God (Ps 72:19).