Vision

Loving God. Serving Others. Changing lives.

Core Values - Community

Jesus began his ministry by calling others into a new community (John 1:35-41). A diverse group of persons responded to his invitation to seek authentic relationships with God and one another and to embrace life with integrity, passion and humility. Together with Christ, these first disciples (the word means learners) were equipped and sent into the world to share the abundant life of this new community.

Like Jesus, Heart of the Rockies welcomes all persons. We accept, challenge and love one another along our journeys of faith. The Holy Spirit moves among us to create a sense of belonging in which we take risks, learn from our mistakes, and forgive ourselves and one another. We share the joys and challenges of what it means to grow in our love for God and our service to others. Our community is shaped by God’s life-giving, life-changing and unconditional grace. In turn, we become a living expression of God’s love.

Transformation

Jesus was asked (Matthew 22:34-40), “Which is the greatest commandment, the most important thing in life?” He answered, “’You shall love God with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength.’ And a second is like the first: ‘You shall love others as you love yourself.’” As Jesus’ disciples, ordinary people, followed him and experienced how he loved God and served others, their lives were changed. They discovered that they were beloved of God and were filled with passion and strength to fulfill God’s call to love and service.

In the same way, by making ourselves available to God’s presence, Heart of the Rockies discovers that God is changing us into a people who truly love God and serve others – because we want to, not because we have to. We practice the ancient spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship, service and weekly communion. These disciplines draw us inward to listen to and rest quietly in God. They direct us outward to embrace and share the gift of community. The joys and challenges of a spiritual life help us comprehend the depth of God’s love and equip us to put that love into action in the lives of others.