At Lakeview Christian Church, we believe that everyone has inherent worth—not because of what they can do for us, but because they are made in the image of God. Our mission, “Be the Change as Jesus has changed us,” means seeing and loving people the way Jesus does. In a world that often asks, “What can this person do for me?” the gospel flips the script. Instead, we are called to look at others through the eyes of grace.
The Blessing of the Overlooked
Too often, our world overlooks people who don’t seem influential, wealthy, or powerful. But as we were recently reminded, “The people that the world may overlook are many times the people that God’s put in your place to give you a blessing.” This truth gets to the heart of the gospel. Jesus consistently sought out those whom others avoided—the outcast, the forgotten, the sinner.
The Bible teaches us that every person matters to God. In Genesis 1:27 (ESV), we read, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This “image of God” is the ultimate source of human value. When we look at someone and see only their status or what they can offer us, we miss God’s heart.
The Upside-Down Values of the Gospel
The gospel challenges the way the world measures worth. The world says, “What can that person do for me?” But Jesus says, “That person is my image bearer, and therefore he means everything to me.” This completely different way of seeing is at the core of our mission at Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes.
James 2:1-5 (ESV) warns against favoritism in the church:
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”
At Lakeview, we strive to live this out by being a place where everyone is welcomed, valued, and loved.
Through the Lens of Grace
Imagine the way a parent cherishes a child’s drawing. Even if it’s not a masterpiece by worldly standards, to the parent it’s precious—a gift to behold. In the same way, God sees each of us as precious and beloved, not because of our accomplishments, but simply because we are His.
As Pastor Jim said, “That’s exactly what you and I are to God.” When we see others through God’s eyes, we can’t help but be moved by compassion and grace.
Just 3: Study, Share, Serve
At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, our practical pathway to “Be the Change” is called “Just 3”:
- Study to love and know God.
- Share to know and love others.
- Serve to put love in action.
Study: We seek God’s heart in Scripture, learning to see people as He does. When we meditate on verses like 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)—“For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart”—we are challenged to look beyond appearances.
Share: We intentionally reach out to those we might otherwise overlook. Listening to someone’s story, sharing a meal, or offering encouragement can open doors to deep, gospel-centered relationships.
Serve: We serve not out of obligation, but as a joyful response to God’s grace. Service can be as simple as welcoming someone new on Sunday, or as involved as volunteering in local outreach. As Galatians 5:13 (ESV) reminds us, “Through love serve one another.”
Be the Change
Our calling at Lakeview Christian Church is to “be the change” as Jesus has changed us. That means choosing to see, value, and love the overlooked—because that’s exactly what Jesus did for us. When we see with the eyes of grace, we become a church where everyone, regardless of background or status, experiences the welcoming love of Christ.
