The mission of Woodland Acres Baptist Church is not about buildings or budgets. It’s not about discarding our heritage to try to become something we’re not. In a word, it’s about discipleship.

What does it mean to “make disciples?” What is discipleship? Most evangelicals equate discipleship with the spiritual growth of a Christian. But this Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:18-20 is more expansive than that. He said, “Make disciples of the nations (lit. ‘peoples’, Gr. ethne).” Discipleship begins with the “peoples” when they are still without Christ, and it continues after they have received Him.

In short, discipleship is following Jesus. A longer definition might look like this: Discipleship is the process by which people become loving and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is the one multifaceted task the church is called to accomplish.

I believe that God is calling us to be what very few churches are: a disciple-making church. Some churches become involved in projects and emphases that could just as easily be carried out by a government-run school or the United Way. Even the vast majority of churches that engage in biblical tasks do not have a clear and solitary commitment to disciple-making.

As a disciple of Jesus, I am determined not just to “do church.” It’s not enough for me to meet every Sunday and go through the routines of church life. I want my life to make an eternal difference in people’s lives.

I believe that people today are looking for something to believe in, something to belong to, and someone to bless them. These are questions we have the answer to. In making disciples, we can assist people to Believe in God, Belong to God’s Family, and Bless God’s World.