We recognize that God has given us a unique responsibility – a stewardship – and our mission, our purpose, our reason for being, is exactly the same as the apostle Paul’s mission. In Colossians 1:28, Paul describes his mission like this:

“Him we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man, with all wisdom – that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

First, Paul tells us what he is preaching: HIM WE PREACH. Not a “thing” but a Person. We preach Jesus, and we warn every man and teach every man with all wisdom. So when we say, “Christ-centered teaching for Christ-centered living” this is not a slogan, or a motto or a catch-phrase. It’s a mandate we have received from Heaven – that in a world where many different voices are proclaiming many different things, we have made a conscious decision to keep pointing people to Jesus and away from those things that hinder or distract us from Him.

Next, Paul explains the goal. Why do we preach Jesus? Why do we warn all men and teach all men with all wisdom? “That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” That word perfect there doesn’t mean sinless perfection, it simply means complete, lacking nothing, fully-grown, being an adult. It means spiritual maturity. The Bible says that spiritual maturity in Christ is the reason God gives apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers – so that we would not remain as children, tossed to and fro, but would grow up into Christ.

This represents our heart’s desire for ourselves, for the Body of Christ, and for the nations.