The foundation of Refuge Student Ministries is the mission, vision and values. We are all about bringing students into a relationship with Christ, helping them grow in their walk with God and others, and equip them to use their spiritual gifts in ministry to others. Jesus called a group of people and poured into them throughout his ministry and prepared them to lead the church. Jesus left us with a calling and responsibility – to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).
I have been challenged to move away from a ministry built on programs and move toward a ministry developed around relationships (Matthew 22:37-40). We envision the student ministry as Great Commission in the sense that we want to influence those in the community by being the church not just going to church. We seek to develop relationships with the un-churched for the purpose of sharing God’s grace and love with them.
Mission: Why are we here? What do we want to accomplish? To lead students and parents into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
(By providing a safe place where meaningful relationships form, make authentic disciples, and impact unbelievers with the gospel.)
Vision Statement: How do we get there? What will ministry will look like?
We exist to reach students with the gospel of Jesus Christ, connect them with Watermark Church, and equip them to serve and live for Christ
Values are an important part of life and ministry. Values are what come out of the vision and mission of what God has called the church to be! In student ministry we value certain principles to help build growing followers of Christ. I thought I'd share with you the values of Refuge student ministry!
Relational Evangelism
We will call upon and equip students to embrace evangelism as a way of life. We want students to be the “light” of Christ and for students to impact their schools and influences. Our desire is to make Christ known in the community and the world.
(Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 5:16, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15).
Enduring Relationships
We want to students to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We want leaders to have strong relationships with one another, with students, and students’ parents to develop positive peer pressure through mutual accountability, and encouragement. We want students to have accountable relationships with other students, their own parents, and the church body. This will establish good relationships within the Refuge student ministry. (Matthew 9:12, 13, 36, and Luke 19:10)
Family Growth
Our Student ministry exists to support what God has called parents to be. God has called parents to be the primary spiritual leaders in the home. Therefore we will do everything we can to love, encourage, support, and equip parents to be the primary spiritual leaders. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Ephesians 6:4).
Undying Worship
We want students to live everyday seeking the presence of God. We desire to see students develop personal convictions and boundaries in their life. We will teach and model what it means to live a life of worship and give students opportunities to express worship corporately and individually. (Romans 12:1, Ephesians 5:12-13, I Peter 2:1-3 & 11-12, Hebrews 12:1-2 and I John 2:15-17).
Growing Disciples
We are passionate about equipping and encouraging students to develop a personal relationship with God. We value the Bible because it is truth. It was the truth when it was written and it is the truth now. It is a lamp, a guide, and an anchor that students can trust in the midst of a lost culture. We want students to trust the Bible as a trustworthy foundation and apply it to their lives. We want students to develop their talents and use them to serve others. We want students to learn to serve and find their spiritual gifts for life-long ministry (Ephesians 6:19, Hebrews 4:12, Luke 6:47-49, Psalm 119:11, II Timothy 3:16-17, Joshua 1:8, and I Thessalonians 5:17, Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4:1-14).
Excellence
We want to do the best we can to reach students for Christ. We determine to do our very best to stay relevant in student’s lives and to be active in their lives. We desire to honor God by bringing our very best in our love and care for students. Every aspect of our life we want to live with excellence for God's glory (Colossians 3:17, 23, 2 Timothy 2:15).