At Hope we are all about transformation. We believe that the internally strong life is the life of never-
ending transformation into the likeness of Jesus. We also believe that this is the need for every person,
even those who do not know Him. Thus, our mission is to become like Jesus to help others become
like Jesus.
Our vision is to be internally strong and externally focused. The vision is not about a program, a
building, a personality, or a service. Instead, the vision is about movement, about helping people
become something they currently are not. Our logo depicts this movement. We are never static and
must always be about growth internally and externally. The vision is the vision that Jesus left with his
disciples in Matthew 28 when he said «19...go and make disciples of all nations (Externally
focused, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Internally Strong)..." Everything we do
must be about Jesus' vision.
Our logo has been crafted with symbolism to capture our vision to be Internally Strong and Externally Focused.
The interior circle represents the core of our being as people. It is
our desire to be strong in our core.
The four white arrows pointing to the center represent the need for each of us to be intentional at becoming internally strong in our core.
The four white arrows meet in the center at the cross (in copper). The cross represents the work of Christ, which is central to all we are and do. He and His work are the source of our internal strength. The four charcoal arrows that point out from the cross represent the expectation that each individual be externally focused. The number and directions of these arrows represent the diversity of who we are and the diverse cultures into which we are separately sent.
The two phrases "internally strong" and "externally focused" express our vision and encapsulate our
mission: Becoming Like Jesus to Help Others Become Like Jesus.
Being Internally Strong is the result of becoming like Jesus. Becoming like Jesus happens as you seek
to: know Jesus and His Word, be transformed into His likeness, do what He made you to do and
connect with others in meaningful relationships.
Knowing Jesus and His word.
We believe God has spoken by entering the world as the person Jesus (John 1:1-14) and through the
Bible (Ps 19; 2 Pet 1:12-19). Knowing Jesus, His word and doing what He says will make us
internally strong (John 10:1-14; Matt 11:28-30).
Being transformed into His likeness.
We believe that our lives can and should change to become more and more like Jesus (Rom 8:29; Col
3:10; Phil 3:20-21; 2 Cor 3:18; 1 Jn 3:2; Gal 4:19). It starts with placing our faith in Him as the one
to save and change us. Through prayer, bible study, worship, mediation meditation, living by the
Spirit and doing what He says, we will become more like Christ and internally strong (Ps 1; Rom 8:1-
17, 12:1-2; Gal 5:16-26).
Doing what He made you to do.
We believe that God designed each person unique in their personality, passions, and gifts (Ps 139:13-
16) and that we ought to freely utilize our unique gifts in serving both those who are a part of the
body of Hope and those who are not (Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4:7-16; 1 Pet 4:8-11; Gal 6:9-10).
Serving others by doing what we are made to do helps us to become internally strong.
Connecting with others in meaningful relationships.
We believe that people are designed for relationships (Gen 1:26-28; 2:18) and that it is our
responsibility to pursue meaningful relationships with those around us. Living in meaningful
relationships helps to produce internal strength as we find places where we can belong, be cared for,
be real, find direction, be challenged, and be held accountable to become more like Jesus (Eccl 4:9-
12; Rom 12:9-18; James 5:17; Heb 3:12-13; Gal 6:1-2).
Being Externally Focused is about helping others become like Jesus. You help others by engaging
those around you, locally, regionally, and globally in personal, small group and corporate action to
help others become like Jesus. Engaging others happens when you join in God's mission, share the
hope of the gospel, help those in need, and partner with others.
Joining in God's mission.
We believe that God is a missionary God who sent his son Jesus to redeem a broken world (Jn 3:16-
17) and that all who follow Jesus are sent by him to their unique cultural environment to live out that
message in words and actions (1 Cor 9:19-23; 2 Cor 5:17-21). God maintains an external focus and
so will we (Matt 28:16-20; Mk 16:15-16; Lk 24:45-48; Jn 17:18, 20:21-23; Acts 1:8).
Sharing the hope of the gospel.
We believe that the hope of the gospel must be shared in word and deed for the whole person.
Sharing the gospel in deed includes doing good to meet the physical needs of others (Matt 25:31-46;
Acts 9:36; Gal 6:9-10; Tit 3:14). Sharing the gospel in word gives truth that meets emotional and
spiritual needs (Col 4:2-6; 1 Pet 2:4-17, 3:15-16). Sharing the gospel in word and deed are essential
actions of our external focus (Matt 4:23, 9:35-38).
Helping those in need.
We believe that God cares for those who are in need, specifically the poor, fatherless, widow and
alien (Deut 10:17-19; Ps 12:5; 35:10; 113:5-8, 140:12; Is 41:17; Lk 4:18-21, 14:12-14) and that He
commands us to care for and seek justice for the oppressed (Deut 24:19-22; Lev 19:10; Ps 82:3-4;
Prov 19:17, 22:9; Is 58:6-12; Micah 6:6-8; James 1:27; Gal 2:9-10). God helps those who are in need
and so will we in our external focus.
Partnering with others.
We are committed to partnership, believing that the regional Church will have a greater impact if the
local churches and Christian organizations work together to meet physical and spiritual needs (Phil
1:3-5; 1 Cor 3:9, 16:1-4; Rom 15:26-27). Our external focus will include partnering with others (John
17:20-23).
