Our Mission
The Garden Church vision and values system can be built around its core mission of empowering people to live and lead like Jesus.
Vision Statement
The Garden Church focuses on the desired future state of the community:
"To be a vibrant faith community where everyday people are empowered to live and lead like Jesus, transforming our local community through faith, hope, and love."
To see everyday people rooted in Christ, walking in power, and famous for their love."
A community of Spirit-filled missionaries bringing the life of the Garden to the heart of Kentucky.
To cultivate a revival culture where disciples are equipped, families are restored, and the power of the Gospel transforms our region
Operational Focus
To move toward this vision, the church emphasizes several key practices:
Discipleship: Helping people learn who they are in Christ and find their specific gifting.
Community Flourishing: Using individual gifts for the common good and supporting one another in "life-on-life" discipleship.
Mission Beyond Sundays: Moving beyond just attending services to "being the church" in local neighborhoods.
Core Value System: D.L.E.S.S.
The church uses the acronym D.L.E.S.S. as a mnemonic to remind the congregation to "do less and trust God more": provides a memorable framework for daily ministry and spiritual growth:
D – Devoted Worshippers: Prioritizing a heart of worship and obedience. This value is based on Acts 2:42, focusing on remaining rooted in Jesus, the "Bread of Life".
L – Loving Families: Striving to be a community "Famous for Love." They believe their unity and love for one another serve as a primary witness to the world. members are committed to one another like a family.
E – Equipped Disciple Makers: Committing to deep learning and relationship building. They aim to help members discover their spiritual gifts and coach one another toward maturity.
S – Spirit-Filled Missionaries: Viewing every member as an ambassador for Christ. The goal is to encourage sharing the gospel weekly and demonstrating Jesus' power in daily life.
S – Suffering Sojourners: Acknowledging that the Christian walk includes trials. They commit to persevering together and becoming "overcomers" who can rejoice even in the face of suffering.
Vision and Mission Pillars
Empowerment: The primary mission is to help people learn who they are in Christ so they can lead in their everyday environments.
Compassionate Outreach: Through their Freedom House Outreach, the church emphasizes being the "hands and feet of Christ" by providing food, clothing, and items to those in need.
Spiritual Maturity: The church focuses on "growing up the Body of Christ" and teaching believers how to walk in victory.
Biblical Foundation: They hold a high view of the Bible as the final authority in faith and practice, specifically following a "continuist" stance regarding the active gifts of the Holy Spirit (such as healing and prophecy).
Educational Values
The church also values formal spiritual training through The Garden Bible College, which offers curriculum designed for those called into ministry or a life of deeper service.