At Lakeview Christian Church, our mission is clear: Be the change as Jesus has changed us. We know that true transformation doesn’t begin with our own efforts, but with the overwhelming, undeserved love of God—a love that pursues us even when we fall short. This truth is woven throughout the Bible and is at the heart of our community.
God’s Relentless Love: Even When We Mess Up
There are seasons in life—and in the story of God’s people—when it feels like we’ve messed up too much for God to care. But Scripture reminds us that God’s grace always goes further. As Tyler shared in a recent message, “After a whole season of God basically saying, ‘You know what, you guys have messed up so much that, that I have a hard time extending my favor to you.’ But he still does because that’s who God is, because he loves us even when we don’t deserve it.”
The prophet Zephaniah delivered a powerful word after Israel’s repeated failures:
“The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.”
(Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)
Despite our shortcomings, God delights in us. He does not give up on us, but instead sings over us with love. This is the very definition of grace.
Grace Defined: Love While We Were Still Sinners
The New Testament echoes this truth. Paul writes,
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8, ESV)
We are not loved by God because we have earned it. We are loved because that is who God is—a God who gives grace freely, a God who sent his only Son for us even in our brokenness.
Responding to Grace: Our Mission to Be the Change
At Lakeview Christian Church, we believe that experiencing this kind of love changes everything. We are called not just to receive grace, but to be agents of change in our community. This is why our mission is: Be the change as Jesus has changed us.
But how do we live out this calling? We focus on what we call “Just 3”—three simple but powerful rhythms that shape our lives:
1. Study: Love and Know God
Transformation begins as we study God’s Word and seek Him in prayer. The Bible tells us,
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
(Matthew 22:37, ESV)
By studying Scripture, we learn not just about God, but to love Him more deeply. At Lakeview, we encourage everyone to carve out time each week for personal and group Bible study—to encounter God’s truth and let it shape our hearts.
2. Share: Love and Know Others
We are not meant to walk alone. Sharing life with others—through small groups, service projects, or simple acts of kindness—reflects Jesus’ command:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
(John 13:34, ESV)
Sharing is more than words; it’s opening our lives, listening, caring, and supporting each other. By sharing, we make God’s love visible in our relationships.
3. Serve: Love in Action
Love is not just a feeling, but an action. Jesus said,
“Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Matthew 20:28, ESV)
Serving others is central to our identity as followers of Jesus. Whether it’s volunteering at church, helping a neighbor, or reaching out to those in need, we put love into action. Service is where faith becomes tangible.
Living the Mission Together
At Lakeview Christian Church, “Study, Share, Serve” isn’t just a slogan—it’s how we respond to God’s relentless love. We believe that as Jesus has changed us, we are called to be the change in Portage Lakes and beyond.
Wherever you are in your faith journey—even if you feel like you’ve messed up too much—know this: God delights in you, sings over you, and welcomes you into His grace. Join us as we seek to study, share, and serve together, living out the change that only Jesus can bring.
