Embracing Our Mission: A Church for Everyone

Twenty-one years ago, a simple dinner conversation sparked a vision: to create a church in Murray that would be a welcoming place for people who don’t like church, a place where anyone could take a step toward Jesus. Looking back over these two decades, what stands out most is not just the challenges or the opportunities, but the people who stepped up every single time God opened a new door. From humble beginnings in the Kerr Center, with awkward kids’ spaces and makeshift classrooms, to serving the community through coat drives and face painting, to supporting children in Nicaragua, and eventually building a space of our own—every step was made possible because people joined in, gave, served, and believed in the mission.

The heart of our church has always been to focus on those who aren’t here yet. It’s easy to drift inward, to think about our own needs, but the call of Jesus is always outward. This is the story of the early church in Acts. When persecution scattered the believers, they could have just looked for comfort among their own, but some took the bold step of sharing Jesus with people who were nothing like them. That act of courage—crossing cultural lines, risking misunderstanding—opened the door for the gospel to reach people like us, people with no Jewish heritage, people who would have otherwise never heard.

When the church in Antioch was born, it was a movement of ordinary people, unnamed and uncelebrated, who simply shared what Jesus had done in their lives. God’s hand was with them, and the movement exploded. Barnabas, the encourager, saw what God was doing and jumped in—not to take credit, but to participate in the work already underway. The Antioch church became known as “Christians” because they looked and acted so much like Jesus, especially in how they responded to need. When famine struck, they didn’t just look out for themselves; they asked, “Who needs our help?” and sent resources to people they’d never meet.

The challenge for us is the same: will we help our church reach its full potential? Will we stay focused on those who aren’t here yet, resisting the pull to become insider-focused? The story of Acts isn’t finished; we are still writing it. The next wave of people who need Jesus is waiting, and we need everyone—every gift, every act of service, every prayer—to step in and join what God is already doing. Let’s be a church that is Jesus-centered, others-focused, and outward-facing, trusting God with the results and celebrating every life changed along the way.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Mission Moves Forward When Ordinary People Step Up The story of our church—and the early church in Acts—shows that God’s work advances not through a few superstars, but through countless ordinary people who say yes to the opportunities God puts before them. Every act of service, every gift, every willingness to step into the unknown is part of God’s unfolding story. Without each person’s contribution, the mission would stall; with everyone engaged, the church reaches its full potential. [08:53]
• 2. Crossing Comfort Zones Opens New Doors for the Gospel The early believers in Acts could have stayed within their own circles, but it was when a few dared to share Jesus with people who were different—culturally, ethnically, and socially—that the movement exploded. This required courage, humility, and a willingness to risk misunderstanding. The gospel always moves forward when we are willing to reach beyond what is familiar and comfortable, trusting that God’s grace is already at work in unexpected places. [13:52]
• 3. True Fulfillment Is Found in Joining God Where He’s Already Working Barnabas didn’t create the revival in Antioch; he simply recognized where God was moving and jumped in. Sometimes we chase fulfillment through our own plans, but the deepest purpose comes when we step into what God is already doing. Watch for where God is at work around you, and be willing to join in—even if your role is simply to encourage, support, or serve quietly in the background. [19:41]
• 4. Being “Christian” Means Being Known for Radical Generosity and Outward Focus The believers in Antioch were first called “Christians” not because of their theology or worship style, but because of how they responded to need. When famine threatened, they didn’t hoard resources or focus only on their own survival; they asked, “Who needs our help?” and gave sacrificially to people they’d never meet. The world notices when followers of Jesus are marked by selfless love and generosity, especially toward outsiders. [25:02]
• 5. The Church’s Greatest Impact Comes When Everyone Joins the Mission The future of our church—and the ongoing story of Acts—depends on each person’s willingness to engage. It’s not about a few leaders or a handful of volunteers; it’s about the whole body working together, each doing what they can. The next wave of people who need Jesus will only be reached if we resist the pull to focus inward and instead keep asking, “Who’s not here yet, and how can we help them take a step toward Jesus?”
  
  ** [28:45]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:30] - The Vision: A Church for the Unchurched
• [01:40] - Early Days at the Kerr Center
• [02:24] - Creating Welcoming Spaces for Families
• [03:10] - Community Outreach and Service
• [04:00] - Growing Pains and New Opportunities
• [05:23] - Building for the Next Generation
• [06:30] - Staying Focused on Those Not Here Yet
• [08:53] - The Challenge: Reaching Our Full Potential
• [09:41] - Acts: The Scattering and the Mission
• [12:19] - Crossing Cultural Boundaries in Antioch
• [13:52] - The Gospel Reaches the Greeks
• [15:12] - God’s Hand and the Explosion of Faith
• [16:57] - Barnabas Investigates and Encourages
• [18:18] - Fulfillment in Joining God’s Work
• [21:15] - The Name “Christian” and Its Meaning
• [23:10] - Responding to Crisis with Generosity
• [25:02] - Outward Focus and Radical Giving
• [28:45] - The Call: Everyone Needed for the Mission
• [29:29] - Looking Ahead: Trusting God for the Next 20 Years
• [30:38] - Final Challenge and Prayer

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

Acts 11:19-30 (ESV)

> 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
> 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
> 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
> 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
> 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
> 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
> 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
> 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
> 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
> 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).
> 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
> 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Acts 11, who were the first people to share the message of Jesus with non-Jews in Antioch, and what was the result?
2. What was Barnabas’ reaction when he arrived in Antioch and saw what God was doing among the new believers?
3. Why were the believers in Antioch first called “Christians”? What was it about their actions or character that led to this name?
4. When the famine was predicted, how did the church in Antioch respond to the needs of believers in Judea? What did they actually do?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon described how the early church could have stayed focused on their own comfort and people like them, but some chose to reach out to those who were different. Why do you think it was so significant for the gospel to cross these cultural boundaries? What risks or challenges might they have faced? [[13:52]]
2. Barnabas didn’t start the movement in Antioch, but he recognized God was already at work and joined in. What does this teach us about finding fulfillment and purpose in our own lives? [[19:41]]
3. The believers in Antioch responded to a crisis (the famine) by asking, “Who needs our help?” instead of just looking out for themselves. What does this reveal about their understanding of what it means to follow Jesus? [[25:02]]
4. The sermon emphasized that the church’s greatest impact comes when everyone joins the mission, not just a few leaders. Why is it important for every person to be involved, and what might happen if only a few people carry the load? [[28:45]]

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### Application Questions

1. The early church in Antioch was known for reaching out to people who were nothing like them. Is there someone in your life or community who is different from you that you could take a step toward this week? What would that look like? [[13:52]]
2. Barnabas found joy and purpose by joining in where God was already working, rather than trying to start something on his own. Where do you see God at work around you right now, and how could you join in—even if it’s just to encourage or support? [[19:41]]
3. When the famine hit, the Antioch church didn’t just take care of their own—they gave sacrificially to people they’d never meet. Is there a need (local or global) that you feel God might be nudging you to help with? What’s one practical step you could take? [[25:02]]
4. The sermon challenged us to resist the pull to become “insider-focused” and instead keep asking, “Who’s not here yet, and how can we help them take a step toward Jesus?” What are some ways our group or church could stay outward-focused? [[28:45]]
5. Think about a time when you felt like your contribution didn’t matter much. How does the story of ordinary people in Acts—and in our church’s history—change your perspective on the importance of your role? [[08:53]]
6. The believers in Antioch were called “Christians” because they looked and acted like Jesus, especially in how they responded to need. If someone watched your life this week, what would they say you are known for? Is there anything you’d want to change? [[21:15]]
7. The sermon ended with a challenge: Will you help our church reach its full potential? What is one area—serving, giving, inviting, praying—where you feel God is asking you to step up? What’s your next step? [[29:29]]

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