We are committed to being a healthy church, changing lives through Christ. In our mission to develop purpose-filled Jesus followers, we realise that discipleship begins with reaching those who are yet to become followers of Jesus. In addition to inviting and bringing those who need Jesus to our services on Sundays, we must reach beyond the walls where we gather to those who have not, yet, encountered the redeeming love of Jesus Christ our Lord. No matter our gifts, calling, vocation, or ministry — we can each reach someone. We can be “on mission” every day and every where to every one.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV

“The apostles are to go out as heralds, not of someone who may become king at some point in the future, but of the one who has ALREADY been appointed and enthroned.” N.T. Wright

These witnesses, throughout the book of Acts, were also witnesses of incredible transformation. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the early Jesus-followers bore witness of Jesus to everyone they encountered. Whether to a desperate individual or to an angry crowd, the Spirit-filled disciples gave opportunities to each and every one to hear the Good News for themselves.

For these studies, we will sit in the book of Acts. As we read through Acts, we see that the early church began in the community (Jerusalem) and spread throughout Judea, Samaria and the farthest reaches of the earth. The mission of the Church remains the same, today, as it was then — to bear witness of God’s kingdom come to earth. And the possibility to fulfill that mission remains the same as well — only through the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. What can we learn from the way the early church reached beyond their own circle of fellow-followers? How did they reach their neighbours and community? How did they reach those who were very different to themselves?