The Joshua Project
The Joshua Project has put together a wonderful resource to help keep Christians ever-focused on the task of reaching unreached peoples with the gospel. Each day they highlight one unreached people group, tell you a bit about them, and share ways you can pray for them and participate in the mission to them. We encourage all of our church members to follow along and engage with this resource day-by-day.
P.A.C.T. - The Four Steps of a Missionary Lifestyle
Over the years, as a church we have come to identify what we call "the four steps of a missionary lifestyle." These steps are captured in the acronym P.A.C.T. (Presence - Awareness - Courage - Time). As a way of keeping these steps always before our church, we have created P.A.C.T. bookmarks that are available for pickup at the Next Steps Table at the back of our Sanctuary each week. These bookmarks have questions (see below) to help stimulate our prayerful reflection and planning and to keep us moving outward as missionaries in the city which God has placed us. You might take out your journal and begin to consider these questions even now!
Presence: "I'm here"
Consider those in your life who are not yet Christians—family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances. God places us where he does with a purpose (cf. Acts 17:26). He desires us to be present with those around us—as ambassadors, as a royal priesthood, as salt and light, as missionaries. Who are you already present with? Make a list. How can you pursue more meaningful presence with them and with others to whom God may be calling you?
Awareness: "I'm ready"
As you are truly present with those in your life, you’ll become aware of countless ways you can show and share the good news of Jesus with them. You’ll find that you can pray for them more intelligently, invite them more naturally (e.g. to meals, events, services), serve them more effectively, give resources to them more relevantly, and communicate the gospel with them more meaningfully. What opportunities can you identify? Dream and pray!
Courage: "I'm willing"
Here is where being on mission really starts to cost us—our time, our reputation, our money. Here is where we must lean into God for courage to actually go and do as he leads. Of the many things you could do to bring the gospel to those you are present with, what do you feel God is actually asking you to do? What are the next steps? Make a plan!
Time: "I'm not going anywhere"
A missionary’s task rarely follows a straight line. Persevere in love for those to whom God has called you. We go in circles to get somewhere!
Missions Prayer
Before Jesus ever called his disciples to go, he first called them to pray (Acts 1:4, 14; cf. Matt. 9:37-38). Therefore, on the second Sunday of every month, we set apart special time during our Sunday Service to pray for the cause of missions in our city and world. We pray for our strategic partners, our supported missionaries, current issues around the world, etc. We know that if any fruit is going to come from our labors, it will only be ultimately by his Spirit and grace.
Sunday Prayer Walks
It's good to pray within the four walls of our church. But it's even better to pray out in the community we've been called to reach! Therefore, on the fourth Sundays of every month, we meet after the service to do a "prayer walk" through the neighborhoods that surround our church building. As we go, we pray for any neighbors who are willing and look for opportunities to share the gospel with those who are open and ready to engage. Come join us!
Outreach Opportunities
In collaboration with our GO! Team (link), we try to schedule regular outreach opportunities for our church members to participate in. Often, these opportunities involve partnering with other ministries and non-profits (see our Firestarter List). But we are always open to new possibilities. If you have something on your heart, don't hesitate to reach out!
Seeker/Skeptic Studies
We will occasionally offer a seeker/skeptic study so those interested can take a deeper dive and learn more about Jesus and Christianity. We are also always willing to read along with any interested in engaging the Consider Jesus Next Steps Booklet.
Learning Labs
We recognize that living on mission for Jesus in our city and world is not always easy. Sometimes we get tripped up and need a little help. That's why we want to make regular training opportunities available for any who are interested. These will often be short, bite-sized "learning labs" held on Sundays after the service and will address topics such as: how to share the gospel; how to engage P.A.C.T. (the four steps of a missionary lifestyle) in your own life; how to use your personal testimony in evangelism; how to study the Bible with a pre-Christian; etc.
Short Term Mission Trips
At least once a year, we try to organize a short term mission trip to help serve and reach people for Jesus around the world. Among other things, our aim with these trips is threefold: (1) we want to see those outside of Christ come to know him; (2) we want to support and encourage those Christians who are already in the field and doing the work long term; and (3) we want to give the members of our church a greater vision of God's heart for the nations. We've done work in Nicaragua and the Philippines, and we've only just begun!
Missions Emphasis Week
We know that missions is important to God and to the church. Yet, sometimes, in the midst of our own busyness and pursuits, sadly, we lose sight of this. That is why, as a church, we try to set apart one week of the year to focus explicitly on God's heart for the nations and his calling and equipping of us to reach them for Jesus. (You can find past messages from these weeks here.)
Ever Wondered?
We have an ongoing sermon series entitled Ever Wondered? We try to preach a new sermon for this series once a year or so. On these particular Sundays, we look to tackle tough questions that those skeptical or curious about Christianity might be asking—questions like: where can I find lasting happiness?; why should I trust the Bible?; aren’t Christians all hypocrites?; don’t science and faith contradict each other?; if God is so good, why is there so much pain in the world? We strongly encourage those in our church to invite their non-Christian friends on these Sundays as the services will be especially geared for them.
Sharing the Gospel
Sharing the gospel, the good news of what Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross, doesn't need to be as awkward or as artificial as we often make it. Rather than marching up to someone on the street and attempting to promptly push our "four points" down their throat, it is better to see evangelism as a sort of elegant dance— an interplay between three stories: the story, my story, and their story.
The Story
As we pursue the value of Faith in our groups, we are really attempting to get to know The Story, the biblical narrative, the Christian worldview, the gospel. God is telling the one true Story and we want to know it by heart. So we study the Scriptures. And we watch the unfolding plotline—from Creation to Fall to Redemption and final Consummation. We learn to see Jesus—His person and work—at the center of it all. Every verse of the Bible becomes good news when run to and through Him! What we come to find is that the Bible, with its myriad of authors and books, characters and stories, is, in the end, telling one story, The Story, the gospel of Jesus Christ.[1]
[1] See “Appendix 4: The Hub Diagram” again for this. What we will soon realize is that learning to make these connections to Christ in the storyline of Scripture will actually help us make connections to Christ as we seek to minister to one another and the unbelieving! The Christocentric hermeneutic, then, is not merely a method of Bible study, it is critical preparation for the care of souls and the missionary’s labor. When we come to see the centrality of Christ in The Story, we will better see how He fits at the center of all other stories as well (ours and theirs).
Link to hub series: https://mercyhillchurch.org/hearts-aflame-sermons
Also link to hub diagram: https://storage1.snappages.site/52HRWH/assets/files/The-Hub-Diagram.pdf
https://frame-poythress.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2008Overview.pdf
[1] See “Appendix 4: The Hub Diagram” again for this. What we will soon realize is that learning to make these connections to Christ in the storyline of Scripture will actually help us make connections to Christ as we seek to minister to one another and the unbelieving! The Christocentric hermeneutic, then, is not merely a method of Bible study, it is critical preparation for the care of souls and the missionary’s labor. When we come to see the centrality of Christ in The Story, we will better see how He fits at the center of all other stories as well (ours and theirs).
Link to hub series: https://mercyhillchurch.org/hearts-aflame-sermons
Also link to hub diagram: https://storage1.snappages.site/52HRWH/assets/files/The-Hub-Diagram.pdf
https://frame-poythress.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2008Overview.pdf
Chapter 1: Creation
In an overflow of love and joy, God created all things: the sun, the stars, the earth, the sea, the plants, the animals. And as the climax and capstone of it all, he made us—in his own image, male and female. And, together, he put us over all he had made. And he saw that it was very good.
Chapter 2: Fall
We had God, we had each other, and we had the world, but it wasn’t enough for us. We didn’t want to be with God, in the image of God, under God. We wanted to be god. Adam and Eve chose to resist and rebel and we have all since followed that well-worn path. Because of our sin—and because God is good and wise, holy and just—he has put us and the world under a curse. No longer do we have free and happy access to his presence, for his eyes are too pure to look upon evil with favor. No longer do we enjoy deep fellowship with each other, but instead our relationships are characterized by selfishness and strife. No longer is our work in this world a mere joyful endeavor, but it's hard, stressful, and tragically vain. And, in the end, we die . . . both now and forever. When we leave the Author of Life we inevitably find nothing but death.
Chapter 3: Redemption
But in the midst of the curses, God, in undeserved grace, makes a promise. A child will come who will overturn the curse and redeem us. The whole Bible is given over to tracing the line of this child, until he comes in Jesus Christ—God’s own son. Jesus lives the life we should have lived, and yet, on that cross, he dies the death we should have died. He takes the full weight of the wrath of God. He becomes a curse for us. But when he rises on the third day, it is God’s evidence to us that the curse has been overturned by grace, that the door back to his holy presence has been opened, that the grave has been overwhelmed by life. In Jesus, we can be forgiven, washed, reconciled, and restored.
Jesus allows me to truly face up to who I am as a sinner without leaving me hopeless or condemned. He, at one and the same time, convicts me of my sin and comforts me with his grace. I am far more wicked than I ever feared and far more loved than I ever dared to hope. The cross won’t let me off the hook. But neither will it let me stay there.
Jesus allows me to truly face up to who I am as a sinner without leaving me hopeless or condemned. He, at one and the same time, convicts me of my sin and comforts me with his grace. I am far more wicked than I ever feared and far more loved than I ever dared to hope. The cross won’t let me off the hook. But neither will it let me stay there.
Chapter 4: Consummation
In the end, through Jesus God will make all things new—a new heavens and new earth. But he’s postponing this last act to make space and time for people to come to him. You see, Jesus’ work on the cross isn’t automatically applied to us. It must be received, like a free gift, with the hands of faith. We must own up to our rebellion, our mess, turn from our sin (it never delivered on its promises anyways), and trust in his work on our behalf—embrace his grace. And, when once we do, we are united with him, born again by his Spirit, our hearts of stone made soft and alive. And he starts to put our broken lives back together one piece at a time, until, at last, we see God again face to face in paradise.
My Story
We have a number of ongoing ministry opportunities for you to prayerfully consider and pursue as God leads. Many of these take place on Sundays, but there are plenty of other options as well. Take a look at our Serve Form and let us know what might be of interest to you!
Their Story
God says that, as a result of the outpouring of his Spirit through Christ, his people will "dream dreams" (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17). So what's yours?
We do not want you to think that the only way you can serve with our church is by somehow squeezing yourself into the systems and structures we already have in place. To be sure, we do have many pre-defined positions for you to serve in and teams for you to join, and we trust that many will feel called to these things. But we are also aware that God may be calling you to pursue something else entirely—something we haven't thought up or "dreamed."
We welcome your new ideas—your desires and dreams for ministry "outside the mold." In fact, one of our greatest joys is getting to hear the things God has placed on our members' hearts and then coming alongside them in an effort to help their visions flourish. This is how many of our ministries have started—not as top-down initiatives from the leadership, but as something much more organic, growing up and out from the hearts of our people. We believe that God has uniquely gifted and called you to serve his body and the world. The only question is: how?!
If you have ministry ideas that you would like to pursue together, please either fill out the Serve Form or email us at info@mercyhillchurch.org.
We do not want you to think that the only way you can serve with our church is by somehow squeezing yourself into the systems and structures we already have in place. To be sure, we do have many pre-defined positions for you to serve in and teams for you to join, and we trust that many will feel called to these things. But we are also aware that God may be calling you to pursue something else entirely—something we haven't thought up or "dreamed."
We welcome your new ideas—your desires and dreams for ministry "outside the mold." In fact, one of our greatest joys is getting to hear the things God has placed on our members' hearts and then coming alongside them in an effort to help their visions flourish. This is how many of our ministries have started—not as top-down initiatives from the leadership, but as something much more organic, growing up and out from the hearts of our people. We believe that God has uniquely gifted and called you to serve his body and the world. The only question is: how?!
If you have ministry ideas that you would like to pursue together, please either fill out the Serve Form or email us at info@mercyhillchurch.org.
Strategic Partnerships
One of the ways we promote an "every saint sent" missionary lifestyle among our members is by forging strategic partnerships with other ministries on mission in our city and around the world. Here are a few we are currently partnering with in various capacities . . .
Foster the City
Foster the City is a coalition of churches committed to providing a loving home for every child in foster care. We dream of the day when there will be a waiting list of families rather than a list of children in need of a home.
Foster the City is a coalition of churches committed to providing a loving home for every child in foster care. We dream of the day when there will be a waiting list of families rather than a list of children in need of a home.
CityTeam
CityTeam is a community united by the belief that God has called us to love our neighbors as ourselves. It’s a place where all are welcome, and where everyone from volunteers to donors and staff all play an important role in living out God’s restorative love to our neighbors in need.
CityTeam is a community united by the belief that God has called us to love our neighbors as ourselves. It’s a place where all are welcome, and where everyone from volunteers to donors and staff all play an important role in living out God’s restorative love to our neighbors in need.
Kids Club
Kids Club is an after school program in elementary schools designed to teach positive life skills to children through games, music, and Bible discussions. It is open to all students in the school. Clubs meet once a week for an hour and a half on elementary school campuses.
Kids Club is an after school program in elementary schools designed to teach positive life skills to children through games, music, and Bible discussions. It is open to all students in the school. Clubs meet once a week for an hour and a half on elementary school campuses.
International Students, Inc.
International Students, Inc. exists to share Christ’s love with international students and to equip them for effective service in cooperation with the local church and others.
International Students, Inc. exists to share Christ’s love with international students and to equip them for effective service in cooperation with the local church and others.
Foster the City
Foster the City is a coalition of churches committed to providing a loving home for every child in foster care. We dream of the day when there will be a waiting list of families rather than a list of children in need of a home.
Foster the City is a coalition of churches committed to providing a loving home for every child in foster care. We dream of the day when there will be a waiting list of families rather than a list of children in need of a home.
Foster the City
Foster the City is a coalition of churches committed to providing a loving home for every child in foster care. We dream of the day when there will be a waiting list of families rather than a list of children in need of a home.
Foster the City is a coalition of churches committed to providing a loving home for every child in foster care. We dream of the day when there will be a waiting list of families rather than a list of children in need of a home.
Foster the City
Foster the City is a coalition of churches committed to providing a loving home for every child in foster care. We dream of the day when there will be a waiting list of families rather than a list of children in need of a home.
Foster the City is a coalition of churches committed to providing a loving home for every child in foster care. We dream of the day when there will be a waiting list of families rather than a list of children in need of a home.
Foster the City
Foster the City is a coalition of churches committed to providing a loving home for every child in foster care. We dream of the day when there will be a waiting list of families rather than a list of children in need of a home.
Foster the City is a coalition of churches committed to providing a loving home for every child in foster care. We dream of the day when there will be a waiting list of families rather than a list of children in need of a home.
Pressing Needs
While there are always ongoing opportunities to serve at Mercy Hill, here are those opportunities we would highlight as particularly pressing. Please pray and ask God if he might be calling you to jump in!
Mercy Hill Kids Teacher
Teachers are responsible for leading their classes and teaching from the Scriptures in such a way that the kids might come to know and grow in the grace of Christ.
If you are interested in hearing more about this position, please fill out the Serve Form or email Megan at kids@mercyhillchurch.org.
If you are interested in hearing more about this position, please fill out the Serve Form or email Megan at kids@mercyhillchurch.org.
Mercy Hill Kids Helper
Helpers are responsible for assisting the Teacher of their particular class to ensure that the environment is safe, ordered, and conducive to learning and growing in the things of God.
If you are interested in hearing more about this position, please fill out the Serve Form or email Megan at kids@mercyhillchurch.org.
If you are interested in hearing more about this position, please fill out the Serve Form or email Megan at kids@mercyhillchurch.org.
Ongoing Opportunities
We have a number of ongoing ministry opportunities for you to prayerfully consider and pursue as God leads. Many of these take place on Sundays, but there are plenty of other options as well. Take a look at our Serve Form and let us know what might be of interest to you!
Desires and Dreams
God says that, as a result of the outpouring of his Spirit through Christ, his people will "dream dreams" (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17). So what's yours?
We do not want you to think that the only way you can serve with our church is by somehow squeezing yourself into the systems and structures we already have in place. To be sure, we do have many pre-defined positions for you to serve in and teams for you to join, and we trust that many will feel called to these things. But we are also aware that God may be calling you to pursue something else entirely—something we haven't thought up or "dreamed."
We welcome your new ideas—your desires and dreams for ministry "outside the mold." In fact, one of our greatest joys is getting to hear the things God has placed on our members' hearts and then coming alongside them in an effort to help their visions flourish. This is how many of our ministries have started—not as top-down initiatives from the leadership, but as something much more organic, growing up and out from the hearts of our people. We believe that God has uniquely gifted and called you to serve his body and the world. The only question is: how?!
If you have ministry ideas that you would like to pursue together, please either fill out the Serve Form or email us at info@mercyhillchurch.org.
We do not want you to think that the only way you can serve with our church is by somehow squeezing yourself into the systems and structures we already have in place. To be sure, we do have many pre-defined positions for you to serve in and teams for you to join, and we trust that many will feel called to these things. But we are also aware that God may be calling you to pursue something else entirely—something we haven't thought up or "dreamed."
We welcome your new ideas—your desires and dreams for ministry "outside the mold." In fact, one of our greatest joys is getting to hear the things God has placed on our members' hearts and then coming alongside them in an effort to help their visions flourish. This is how many of our ministries have started—not as top-down initiatives from the leadership, but as something much more organic, growing up and out from the hearts of our people. We believe that God has uniquely gifted and called you to serve his body and the world. The only question is: how?!
If you have ministry ideas that you would like to pursue together, please either fill out the Serve Form or email us at info@mercyhillchurch.org.
Meet the team.
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Sue Richards
Founder & CEO
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Reed Richards
Co-Founder & CFO
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John Storm
Head of Product
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Ben Grimm
Token Hipster
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