As I engage my executive duties at WHFC I often refresh my mind and heart by reading the Vision and Mission of WHFC. It serves as a focal instrument and fodder for my daily prayers as I seek out direction and discernment from God. Each aspect of our vision, mission and overall objectives is the driving force for our daily activity and future endeavors. It is the default we institute when obscure moments are upon us and the catalyst we use to determine when change is necessary.
I assume our Vision and Mission is one of the first things visitors search out when considering WHFC as their new church home and we hope it is a memorandum that regular attendees use when developing their individual life plan. We want to be known first and foremost as a community of Christ followers who love God and people unconditionally. When we strategize corporately and individually we extend ourselves up in worship to God, inward with the Holy Spirit for Christ likeness, over to each other for support and relationship, and out in service and evangelism to our world.
All of our resources are directed toward five key objectives: (1) evangelizing the world to Christ likeness; (2) educating people in the ways of Christ and the teachings of the Bible; (3) equipping and empowering Christians for Kingdom service; (4) exalting God through corporate worship and daily lifestyle; (5) helping others experience the best, most fulfilling life possible. Each of these are significant and worthy of special emphasis however, I would like to mention objectives two and three in specific.
WHFC has a rich heritage and ongoing appreciation for Christian education and the high calling of equipping and empowering people for Christian service. More than a century ago, Malone University began as Cleveland Bible Institute (CBI) in the basement of our first church. Later, when the church relocated in the suburbs the University moved to Canton Ohio where is thrives to this very day.
As CBI alum went forth in those early years their influenced impacted a group of spirit-filled Quakers meeting in Haviland Kansas. The call of God on their heart was to begin a Bible training institute and chose to model their efforts after CBI "because they were impressed with the ministry and testimonies of CBI graduates and the doctrine of full consecration and baptism in the Holy Spirit they embraced. The CBI graduates spoke with warmth, earnestness, vitality, zeal and with new illustrations of the power of the Holy Spirit, commonly referred to as the Quaker Baptism"* (Jackson). As a result of their influence, Barclay College began in 1916 within the walls of Haviland Friends Church.
We do not want to underestimate the influence our local church can have in educating, equipping and empowering people for Christ's service. Nor do we see our need for such activity diminished today. Less than 10 years ago, Cornerstone Christian Academy found life at WHFC and enrolls nearly 500 students in their K-12 program. Quaker Care Day Care has served the mission of WHFC for more than a quarter of a century and currently educates nearly 100 children in the ways of Christ and the teaching of the Bible. Our Home School Co-op program called Deuteronomy Six, meets weekly and has an enrollment of nearly 200 students.
Our passion today is to educate, equip and empower people into Christ likeness. If your desire is to know Christ fully and the rich teaching of the Bible, then WHFC is the place for you! As we approach the fall, dozens of classes are scheduled to begin and are designed for all age groups. Most of them will be on Wednesday and Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings at 9:30 and 11:00. I invite you to explore the Christian Education offerings and find a class tailored to your interest or need. Enrollment is open to all to desire to learn and grow in Christ.
In 2009 we plan to expand our adult Christian Education curriculum to include weekly online classes. People both locally and globally, can benefit from the flexibility of asynchronous online learning and virtual discussion groups that will be taught by our gifted, experienced and highly educated WHFC staff and lay leaders. E-learning is common practice in our world today and WHFC plans to be a leader among our peers in this area as well.
Thanks for visiting our website today. I hope your experience was enjoyable and informative. I hope to meet you soon at WHFC.
Blessings,