Our Vision
“Leading ordinary people to an extraordinary life in Christ by gathering in His love, equipping through His Word, and sending with His purpose.”
At Gloria Dei we often describe a full life in the Kingdom of God through a simple rhythm: Up, In, and Out.
Up – Our relationship with God through worship, prayer, Scripture, and the Sacraments.
In – Life together as the people of God, growing in faith through community and encouragement.
Out – Living on mission as we serve others and share the love of Jesus in the world.
This rhythm reflects the extraordinary life Jesus calls us into. A life rooted in God, lived in community, and expressed through our love of others.
Up – Our relationship with God through worship, prayer, Scripture, and the Sacraments.
In – Life together as the people of God, growing in faith through community and encouragement.
Out – Living on mission as we serve others and share the love of Jesus in the world.
This rhythm reflects the extraordinary life Jesus calls us into. A life rooted in God, lived in community, and expressed through our love of others.
Gathering (UP & IN)
We gather in God’s love as His people to worship our amazing God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In our Up life together, we lift our hearts to God through worship, prayer, Scripture, and the Sacraments, encountering His presence and growing in faith.
At the same time, gathering is also deeply In. We come together as a spiritual family, sharing life, encouraging one another, and building relationships centered around God’s Word. As we worship and fellowship together, we strengthen and care for one another as followers of Jesus.
We gather as ordinary people who have been invited into an extraordinary life through Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, we have been brought into relationship with Him and into a new community of faith.
Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.” When we gather, we trust in this promise. Through His Holy Spirit, His Word, and His Sacraments, Christ is present among His people. Because of this, we gather with intention expecting to encounter God (Up), grow together in faith (In), and be prepared for the life of mission God calls us to (Out).
At the same time, gathering is also deeply In. We come together as a spiritual family, sharing life, encouraging one another, and building relationships centered around God’s Word. As we worship and fellowship together, we strengthen and care for one another as followers of Jesus.
We gather as ordinary people who have been invited into an extraordinary life through Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, we have been brought into relationship with Him and into a new community of faith.
Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.” When we gather, we trust in this promise. Through His Holy Spirit, His Word, and His Sacraments, Christ is present among His people. Because of this, we gather with intention expecting to encounter God (Up), grow together in faith (In), and be prepared for the life of mission God calls us to (Out).
Equipping (UP → IN → OUT)
When we gather, we are equipped through the living and active Word of God and through the fellowship of believers. Through worship, devotions, Bible studies, and teaching, God strengthens and forms us as His people.
In Ephesians 4:11–12, we are reminded that Christ “gave the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” God’s Word not only creates faith in our hearts (Romans 10:17), but it also shapes the way we live that faith each day.
Through Scripture, God deepens our relationship with Him (Up), strengthens our unity as His people (In), and prepares us to live out our faith in the world (Out).
As we encounter His living Word, the Holy Spirit equips us to embody the love of Christ in everyday life as we proclaim the Gospel and demonstrate God’s grace through acts of compassion, service, and love.
In Ephesians 4:11–12, we are reminded that Christ “gave the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” God’s Word not only creates faith in our hearts (Romans 10:17), but it also shapes the way we live that faith each day.
Through Scripture, God deepens our relationship with Him (Up), strengthens our unity as His people (In), and prepares us to live out our faith in the world (Out).
As we encounter His living Word, the Holy Spirit equips us to embody the love of Christ in everyday life as we proclaim the Gospel and demonstrate God’s grace through acts of compassion, service, and love.
Sending (OUT)
We gather in order to be equipped, but we are also equipped in order to be sent.
Through the Word of God, we are sent into the world as the body of Christ to share the good news of what Jesus has done through His life, death, and resurrection. Our Out life is the natural overflow of our Up relationship with God and our In life together as His people.
With the love we have received from Jesus, we seek to alleviate suffering, come alongside the lonely and hurting, and bless others with the blessings God has given to us.
Jesus calls His followers to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:18–20) and also to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, and care for those in need (Matthew 25:31–46).
With hearts shaped by God’s Word (Up) and strengthened by the encouragement of our spiritual family (In), we seek to bring the love of Christ Out into our communities and throughout the world so that others may experience the hope of Jesus.
Through the Word of God, we are sent into the world as the body of Christ to share the good news of what Jesus has done through His life, death, and resurrection. Our Out life is the natural overflow of our Up relationship with God and our In life together as His people.
With the love we have received from Jesus, we seek to alleviate suffering, come alongside the lonely and hurting, and bless others with the blessings God has given to us.
Jesus calls His followers to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:18–20) and also to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, and care for those in need (Matthew 25:31–46).
With hearts shaped by God’s Word (Up) and strengthened by the encouragement of our spiritual family (In), we seek to bring the love of Christ Out into our communities and throughout the world so that others may experience the hope of Jesus.
Mission Strategy
Engaging with God’s Word (UP)
At Gloria Dei we believe faith grows best in community. Our In life together reflects the truth that the church is not a building, but the people of God united by the Holy Spirit.
We desire to be more than a gathering of believers as we seek to live as a spiritual family that encourages, supports, and strengthens one another.
Hebrews 10:24–25 calls us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works… encouraging one another.”
Through small groups, ministries, friendships, and shared experiences, we create opportunities for people to grow deeper in their faith and walk alongside one another through every season of life.
We desire to be more than a gathering of believers as we seek to live as a spiritual family that encourages, supports, and strengthens one another.
Hebrews 10:24–25 calls us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works… encouraging one another.”
Through small groups, ministries, friendships, and shared experiences, we create opportunities for people to grow deeper in their faith and walk alongside one another through every season of life.
Encouraging Fellow Disciples (IN)
At Gloria Dei, we are more than a congregation—we are a family. We walk hand in hand through life’s joys and struggles, providing love, encouragement, and prayer for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:26)
Embracing Our Calling (OUT)
Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we have been set free to live for the Kingdom of God. Every Christian has a unique calling as a disciple of Jesus.
Colossians 3:17 reminds us:
“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Whether gathered for worship or scattered throughout the city, we are called to be the light of Christ in the world and to live as His witnesses and ambassadors.
Our Out life is lived through our everyday relationships with neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends. As disciples discover their gifts and calling, they are encouraged to live out their faith in ways that reflect the love and truth of Jesus.
Colossians 3:17 reminds us:
“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Whether gathered for worship or scattered throughout the city, we are called to be the light of Christ in the world and to live as His witnesses and ambassadors.
Our Out life is lived through our everyday relationships with neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends. As disciples discover their gifts and calling, they are encouraged to live out their faith in ways that reflect the love and truth of Jesus.
Expecting to Serve (OUT)
As we grow in our relationship with God (Up) and in our community with one another (In), we naturally look for opportunities to serve others (Out).
Jesus said in Mark 10:45 that He “did not come to be served, but to serve.” Following His example, we seek to serve others selflessly and intentionally.
Ephesians 2:8–10 reminds us that while we are saved by grace through faith, we are also “created in Christ Jesus for good works.”
Both individually and as a church, we expect God to use us to bless others and demonstrate His love in tangible ways.
Jesus said in Mark 10:45 that He “did not come to be served, but to serve.” Following His example, we seek to serve others selflessly and intentionally.
Ephesians 2:8–10 reminds us that while we are saved by grace through faith, we are also “created in Christ Jesus for good works.”
Both individually and as a church, we expect God to use us to bless others and demonstrate His love in tangible ways.
Enriching Our World (OUT)
As the body of Christ, we are sent into the world to enrich it with the love and grace we have received from Jesus.
Jesus teaches in Matthew 25 that caring for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned is ultimately serving Him.
The Christian faith is deeply relational. We believe God often changes lives one person at a time—through presence, compassion, and acts of love.
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:14–16,
“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.”
Our prayer is that through our Up relationship with God, our In life together as His people, and our Out mission in the world, others will experience the love of Jesus and give glory to our Father in heaven.
Jesus teaches in Matthew 25 that caring for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned is ultimately serving Him.
The Christian faith is deeply relational. We believe God often changes lives one person at a time—through presence, compassion, and acts of love.
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:14–16,
“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.”
Our prayer is that through our Up relationship with God, our In life together as His people, and our Out mission in the world, others will experience the love of Jesus and give glory to our Father in heaven.