Central Bible Church

WE DREAM...

… of a church where Scripture is brought into focus as the guiding Truth of our lives. Where people are changed, challenged and transformed into the image of Christ because of in-depth teaching of God’s Word, where people become doers of the word and not just hearers, and where the teaching is relevant, encouraging, positive and practical.

 … of a church where excellence permeates every facet of life and ministry, where believers and non-believers alike are attracted by the quality of the programs, preaching, facilities and services of Central Bible Church.

… of a church in which community happens in small groups which live life together, serve as a source of accountability, serve together, encourage one another, grow with one another, are challenged by one another, are corrected by one another, and most importantly love one another. A church where families gather together in small groups so that Christian community happens in multi-generational settings. Where parents and children learn, serve, and grow together while seeing Christ work in one another.

… of a church that gives its best to minister to children, sharing with them the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that they come to faith and begin living their life of discipleship at a young age. A church whose children’s ministry is celebrated throughout the community and which children are excited to come to.

… of a church that grows from evangelism and in which these new believers are empowered to know and share their faith with those around them who do not yet have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

 … of a church in which we have gone so far beyond racial reconciliation, as a thing of the past, that we now celebrate the biblical truth of Christian unity. A church in which people from all different races and ethnicities, social and political backgrounds, can discuss and even celebrate differences, while recognizing equality and unity in their worship of the Tri-une God, and where the heartbeat of every person is for outreach and inclusion, not for comfortable complacency and seclusion.

… of a church which becomes an increasingly vital part of the community, because of its role in empowering community leaders. A church which attracts believers and non-believers alike to receive leadership training, and a church which has influenced every leadership position in the city of Central, from the coach of a pee-wee football team, to the head of the high school backers association, from book club facilitators, to the mayor.

… of a church where people find joy in service both in the church and in the community. A church who’s culture celebrates service and who makes a significant difference in the community simply by its existence. A church in which every member is constantly in search of ways to serve, both in Central Bible Church, and in the city of Central.

… of a church who’s members are missionaries to their friends, families, and coworkers. A church that sends teams on short term missions throughout the United States and abroad, and sends and supports long term missionaries both through finances and prayer.

… of a church that celebrates youth. A church that feeds the creativity of young minds and provides a safe place for youth to ask their questions. A church that evangelizes youth and provides them with a place to worship, pray, and connect with others. We dream of youth programming and concerts designed specifically to bring in the lost and communicate to them, the gospel of Jesus Christ. We dream of after-school programs in which youth are challenged in their faith, and grow as individuals and of a church sending youth on mission trips and leading Central and the surrounding cities in evangelism, missions, and service.

… of a praying church, where prayer is not seen as a last resort, but a primary resource. A church which stands or falls based on its prayer life.

… of a church that embraces a culture of change, knowing that change is a sign of life. A church that is eager to use new methods to deliver the timeless Truth of Scripture, and of a church that implements the latest technologies, methods and programs to communicate Truth in this changing world.

… of a church campus where people gather not just on Sundays, but every day of the week for picnics, recreation, fellowship over coffee, or a quiet time of reflection. We dream of a place where youth gather after school for fun with friends and a place where couples gather after work to take a break from their day and find rest. A campus where the community gathers for continued education, and leadership development, of an auditorium filled with people for weekend services, concerts, conventions, and seminars. We dream of a campus which church goers are proud to call their own, and are excited to bring others to.

… of a church whose members show such a level of commitment to the city and to the church that the nation’s leaders have to take notice. Where there is no lack of love for the local body of Christ, and the city of Central. A church whose members serve one another and their community through sacrificially giving of time, resources, prayer, gifts and finances.

… of a church in which financial matters are taught in such a way, and in such a format that believer and non-believers are attracted to the gospel through basic stewardship principles. We dream of a church which is committed to developing a financially healthy community, which celebrates New Testament giving, as one of the primary means of spiritual growth in the life of a believer, and of a church whose members give sacrificially to be a part of what God is doing through the church, and in order to grow in a trust relationship with God the Father, through God the Son, by God the Holy Spirit.

… of a church which celebrates a theology of transformation, in that each believer comes to recognize his/her responsibility as a Christian to be transformed day after day. A church which empowers believers on their road to transformation through leadership development, theological training, in-depth Bible study, service projects, ministry opportunities, mission trips, counseling and programs.

... of a church whose niche in the Christian community in the city of Central, as well as the greater Baton Rouge area, is to be a source of theological education. A place where lay church members, bible study teachers, and professional ministers from sister churches come to enrich their spiritual lives, and to continue their theological education through courses in Bible Study Methods, Biblical Languages, Systematic Theology and Practical Ministry courses, such as Missions and Evangelism. 

...of a church which is intentional in disciple making efforts, in which lives are poured into each other for the sake of growth and maturity.

... of a church where the Truth of Scripture is taught deeply verse by verse, where Theology is discussed, where Church History is explored, and where even the more difficult issues of Scripture are known and believed with such conviction that even in the face of opposition, we will stand on God’s Word as our authoritative source of Truth.

… of a church where miracles happen, where lives are transformed, where hearts are healed, where boredom becomes passion, where brokenness is restored, where the Word of God is taught, and where Jesus Christ is lifted up as the name above all names, to the glory of God the Father, by the Holy Spirit.