Our ultimate goal of the Outreach Team is to cast a vision to Grace Community Church, that each of us has been called to be a witness beyond the walls of our facility. Beginning in our local community, this is done by seeking opportunities of need where both individuals and groups can provide helps so that examples of God’s love are displayed. Through these strategic acts of kindness, relationships may be developed which will afford opportunity for sharing of the Gospel.
The Team will meet on a regular basis to:
- Develop and refine recommendations for our specific vision of outreach
- Communicate the vision and find ways for others to embrace it
- Identify existing agencies/programs through which we can partner
- Seek new avenues of service based on community needs that fit the resources and heart of Grace Community Church
- Assist in developing specific service projects
- Represent the church in the community as advocates for mercy and justice
- Be an example of service in the Church and community
- Ensure that service at Grace does not drift from the focus of the Gospel
It is envisioned that several types of projects will make up Outreach. There will be routine needs that are undertaken and accomplished on a single event, short-time basis. A team will meet at a location, accomplish the task and return to their homes. There will also be projects that are ongoing where individuals or teams commit to a program or project for a designated duration of time. Other projects will be undertaken which will require us to travel to locations outside the immediate community and possibly spend more than one day. The Outreach Team will also work with the Sending Team to plan and facilitate short-term mission projects to support the ministry of Field Staff and take on special projects.
Examples include forming teams to assist in areas of natural disaster (local & abroad), dealing with quality of life issues in the local community, participating in projects at food pantries, medical clinics, nursing homes, schools, and assisting our local Field Staff with campus outreach events at the University of Iowa, or programs at the State of Iowa Boys Detention Center in Eldora.
How do you get involved?
Community Projects and Teams – Contact the church office and have your name placed on the “Here’s Hope” e-mail notification list. You will receive notice of all opportunities to serve.
Short-Term Mission Trips – Notice will be posted and announced. Application must be made to be a part of these teams as there will be a selection process due to certain skills needed for the project and/or a limit on team size. There is also an expectation to raise support to cover team expenses for these trips.
Join the Core Team! – If you have a heart for living out and being a part of building the Kingdom locally, your involvement in the Outreach Core Team is needed. Print the application found here, fill it out and return it to the office!
