About once a quarter we love to gather for our vision nights. for our march vision night, We will focus on our vision, mission and core commitments, get a first look at the theme for Easter, and pray and worship together. Vison night is tuesday, march 3rd at 7pm. Please RSVP and let us know if you'll need childcare.

On Sunday, February 2nd, pastor joel preached on the vision of bara church for 2020 and beyond! to watch/hear that message, click the video below!

The first two chapters of Nehemiah have held a pivotal place in the vision for Bara Church and 2020 is no exception.  Nehemiah's concern with the state of Jerusalem's walls came into view Sunday as we unveiled the walls in our atrium.

Pastor Joel shared his heart and God's vision for Bara Church for the upcoming year. Some walls need to be built up (safety, identity, and destiny), and some walls need to be torn down (between us and God, leadership and members, and us and the lost). For those of you who weren't able to see the Gathering, please take some time and watch the message here.

Ultimately, here is what we pray Bara Church looks like at the end of 2020: 

Bara Church is a loving faith-family with a unified and magnified focus on our timeless mission to know Christ and make Him known. We have an increased, tenacious commitment to bow in humility, abide in community, redeem in ministry and advance in generosity. We continue to steward our bold vision to build up people as we make steady and significant strides to the hill. With all our efforts wholly dependent on God, we strive to make disciples across all ages. We have celebrated at least 20 baptisms and dozens of hearts recommitted in their pursuit of God. Every week, over 300 people safely and joyfully come together in gatherings and groups, and every day we prayerfully send disciples into their homes, neighborhoods, schools, jobs, networks and into the nations to bear the light and bring the love of the gospel. We feel the safety of our Father’s protection, find our identity in Jesus’ call, and are fueled by Spirit’s power as we daily discover our divine destiny. We are growing in learning and loving, serving and sacrificing.

Specifically, 2020 will hold the following:
1. Growth through solid and simple Discipleship Pathway. 
2. Strength through a pivotal priority placed on Leadership Development.
3. Unity through a frequent focus on our Mission, Vision and Core Commitments.
4. Joy through the relentless pursuit of the Presence of God.
5. Health through Equipping and Empowering Volunteers. 

Growing in the grace of the gospel and mindful of the meaning of our name, we refuse to settle for anything less than living lives branded by the bold and biblical belief that a great commitment to the Great Commandment and Great Commission will grow a great Church.

In closing, here is an excerpt Pastor Joel shared from Bara’s first Vision Sunday over 10 years ago:

Our mission is small enough to be captured in a breath and big enough to take your breath away. The mission of Bara Church is "To Know Christ and Make Him Known." As you can see, it’s all about Jesus. Well, Jesus and two groups of people: prodigal sons and prodigal seekers; muddy people getting clean and clean people getting muddy. Make no mistake, our mission does not include catering to church-going critics who sit as self-righteous spectators sidelined by self-pity and sinner condemnation, too afraid and too angry to come to the party of grace. We will know we are on mission when lost people are coming to Christ and found people are going to lost people. Our scorecard won’t concern itself with how many are “showing up.” We will, however, care passionately about how many Christ-followers are “going out.” And you can be sure that we will celebrate ridiculously every Christ finder who is “coming to” Jesus!

The bottom-line for Bara is beautifully basic: we believe in God’s scandalous grace and reckless love.

It’s time to love some prodigals into the party.