Missions Statement: Exalting Jesus, Equipping His people, Engaging the world, Extending His Love.
We desire global missions to be an integral part of River Oak’s church life permeating our worship, Bible teaching and preaching, and ministries. This is in response to the call of the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) with the sole purpose of magnifying the glory of Jesus Christ. Our focus is on extending our missions statement to every people group, and to the farthest corners of the earth. We will concentrate our effort on Gospel proclaiming church planting, and on church supporting ministries that empower (build up) the local church in diverse geographic areas of the world to fulfill this mission’s statement. We will focus on ministering in a way that complements the gifting of our congregation and resources in our church. We realize that mission’s partnership is a cooperative effort and we seek to support those that desire to bless us as we support them in ministry.
What is the goal of missions at River Oaks? Our Goal is to Glorify the infinite worth of God, by making known the wonder of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 67:3, Revelation 5)
What is our strategy to reach this goal? We desire to partner with those that are planting Christ -exalting churches in diverse areas of the world, and with those that are supporting the local indigenous church to exalt Jesus, equip his people, engage the world, and extend His love.
Why? We believe the Father has appointed the church through the truth of the Gospel in Christ Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit as the most effective means to accomplish His great purposes and to establish His kingdom. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Our Missionaries
Chris & Kate live in New Jersey (along with their daughter Jazmine) and are serving through World Orphans. Kate directs World Orphans comprehensive effort to care for the children in their homes by attempting to meet all of the needs (physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally) of the child.
To read more about the Borders’ work with World Orphans you can go to Kate’s blog at http://www.untiltheyallhavehomes.blogspot.com/
As part of the projects team, Kathy is the Director of Holistic Care for World Orphans. Kathy is serving World Orphans by participating in the preparation, coordination, and execution of in-field, Holistic Care training seminars for World Orphans partners. Kathy will also help to ensure a biblical, Christ-centered focus in the preparation of our western teams for their trips.
To read more about Kathy’s work with World Orphans you can go to Kathy’s blog at http://kathyblessedtobless.blogspot.com
Loren & Christina live in Poland (along with their children Clay, Hanna, and Ella Kate) and are missionaries serving through the Evangelical Church of America. Their primary ministry focus is to reach out to the large population of English speaking, international, college students that attend one of the many English-speaking only colleges. (NOTE: In terms of the number of church planting missionaries and evangelical believers per 1,000 people, Poland is the most unreached country on earth. It is 4 times more unreached than Saudi Arabia and 25 times more unreached than China.) The Ozannes are also in close relationship and partnership with one Polish church, which has a huge heart for the Polish people, orphans, and for these college students. Pastor Mariusz, and his wife Eva, have not only been ministry partners, but they have been like surrogate parents and grandparents to the Ozannes and their children.
You can sign up to receive the Ozanne’s update newsletter by clicking here and requesting to be added.
Chase is the former area director of Young Life in Blount County. Now, Chase & Katie live in Madrid (with their daughters Alice, Mae Mae, Liza, and Tallulah)and have been serving there as missionaries through Young Life since March 1, 2009.
To read more about the Whitmires’ exploits in Madrid, you can go to their blog at http://whitmire6.blogspot.com/
Our church partner: Fountain of Hope
This church-to-church partnership with FOH compliments our purpose to Exalt Jesus, Equip His people, Engage the World, and Extend His love. Christ is exalted when the church builds itself up in love.
- Christ is exalted when His people care for orphans, not just with the purpose to physically care for them but to make Christ known to the orphan. To transform generations to come.
- Christ is exalted when His people are willing to “do all”, to sacrifice for His sake, to make His name known to the ends of the earth.
- This partnership offers unique opportunities for our people to be equipped in global missions, in gospel proclamation, in shepherding hearts and minds.
- This partnership offers an opportunity to build a unique relationship with an indigenous Church in another part of the world. There is benefit to us for this relationship as well as benefit to that church.