Philosophy of Ministry

Refuge is firmly planted on the following 15 key biblical foundations:

The ministry belongs to the Lord.

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, Says the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6
We desire to be led by His Spirit and of His Spirit (Galatians 3:3). We want to stay clear of worldly programs and techniques in regard to the ministry.

Prayer is the backbone of ministry.

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
The key to any spiritual success in the ministry is much prayer.

Spirit-led worship is vital.

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24
Our worship is not just a time filler or a warm-up for the message. Our song worship is a time set aside for the body to adore Him in all of His majesty, softening and readying our hearts for the ministry of The Word.

We emphasize what God has done for us.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
We seek to continually teach of the blessings of God, and of all that He has done for us. We want to direct you past man to Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:7); not looking to, or dependent upon man but upon God alone.

Where God guides, He provides.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
We do not beg or present high-pressure sales techniques to raise money. We believe God will supply all of our financial needs and seek to be good stewards of His resources (Romans 12:11).

We must be the servant of all.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Consistent servanthood was Jesus’ style of ministry and so it must be ours (John 13:3-5). If we see something that needs to be done we can simply chip in and do it. The way up to God’s Kingdom is to be a servant of all.

We must submit to God.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
As we submit to our loving Heavenly Father, we seek to support those whom the Lord has put in authority. We desire to quickly resolve any problems that may arise so that we continue in unity serving the Lord.

God wants inspiration, not perspiration.

“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient...” 2 Timothy 2:24
God has a timing for His ministry and we desire to yield to His timing. We do not want to strive trying to knock through a door God has already closed. We always try to take steps of faith that are inspired by God.

Blessed are the flexible.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;.” Proverbs 3:5
We seek to stay open and flexible to the things God desires to accomplish through us. We are an independent vessel of the Lord, free to minister to each specific area of need.

Minister to others.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:12-13
Each member of God’s family has special ministry gifts. We need to continually serve God with them, giving and ministering to others.

We are a ministry to everyone.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
We desire to minister to everyone across the board; to everyone coming through the doors. As a fellowship, we are not a museum for saints but a hospital for the hurting. 

Feed the flock consistently.

“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” Acts 20:27
We desire to be a place where the Lord’s sheep love to feed on the Word of God. God’s Word is powerful so we teach it verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter. We desire to know God through teaching His full counsel, the entire Bible.

We desire to be theologically balanced.

“...that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” Ephesians 4:14
We desire to avoid doctrinal extremes. We’re not just another church but a balanced body of believers seeking to be doctrinally sound, shying away from unbiblical extremes.

Healthy sheep beget healthy sheep.

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28
God honors His Word and increases the seeds that are planted by His sheep. When we teach the pure Word of God, it in turn develops a burden for the lost in the world. Evangelism is the natural by-product of a healthy fellowship. 

Lean not on your own understanding.

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8
We always fall back on these foundational truths—The Lord is Good; God is Love: Jesus is Lord; and The Lord is ever present and will always be with you. As we hold fast to these truths, we’ll find that the Lord will get us through anything.