History, Mission, Ministry Statement & Doctrinal Statement

Highlights over the years include:

• In 1985 we began to share the spiritual needs of people with developmental disabilities with the Christian community.
• In 1985 we began to share the spiritual needs of people with developmental disabilities with the Christian community.
• In 1987 we began to explore new residential options in additions to licensed group homes.
• In 1991 we began to provide leadership on the Board of the Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities (CCPD).

• In 1992 we participated in a Federal pilot program for Community Supported Living Arrangements.
• In 1993 we converted a group home to become a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly with developmental disabilities.
• In 1994 we began services for teens and young adults with developmental disabilities.
• In 1998 our Supported Living program expanded to become the largest of our programs.
• In 2007 we began an Adult Development Day Progam by the name Growing Together which gives adults the opportunity to participate in vegetable and flower gardening on a 1-acre farm

Ministry Statement

We believe that individuals with developmental disabilities:

1. are not eternal children, consequently, they are not exempt from the need to come to a complete knowledge of Jesus Christ and enter into a personal relationship with Him. (Matthew 18:11-14), 28:18-20, John 10:9)
2. are made in the image of Christ and only through the power of the Holy Spirit can they understand and accept their worth in Him. (Genesis 1:26-28, Psalms 100:3 & 139)
3. need opportunities to know and use their spiritual gifts in the church. (1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:1-16, 1 Peter 4:10)
4. must be respected and given the opportunity to participate in activities while at home, at work, in the community, and while at worship.
5. are endowed with a free will; therefore services should be designed that encourage informed choice as to where they live, work, recreate, and worship.
6. deserve quality services that promote full physical, mental, emotional and spiritual maturity.
7. deserve services that promote the following characteristics:
   1. environments where individuals are free to share and express their feelings; concerns, ideas, and dreams without the fear of rejection,
   2. humiliation, and/or retribution;
   3. freedom from fear of physical, psychological, sexual or fiduciary abuse;
   4. where individual needs are important;
   5. atmospheres where privileges and responsibilities are shared;
      continual development toward their preferred level of autonomy and a high quality of life;
   6. a place for unconditional love and acceptance.
8. are integral members of their family units.

Doctrinal Statement

1. We believe the Holy Bible to be the divinely inspired, infallible revelation of God. As such it is our basis for our faith and standard of living. (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
2. We believe in a triune Godhead, that is: God the Father; God the Son, Jesus; and God the Holy Spirit. (John 10:29-30).
3. We believe in the diety of Jesus Christ, that He is totally and wholly God, and that He came to earth in the form of a man, though He never sinned. (John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:1-4).
4. We believe that man is inherently sinful and deserves death as a result; he can do nothing to save himself. We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and offers salvation by grace through faith to all who will confess of their sins and accept Him as Savior and Lord. (Romans 3:23; John 3:16; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:3,9).
5. We believe that we are then commanded by our Lord to share the truth of the gospel with others, encourage others, as well as ourselves, to grow into a more Christ-like character and walk in love toward those around us. (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 John 3:16-19; Hebrews 19:23-25).