About Us
- Government, Mission, Worship

The Church of Christ in the Collinsville / Troy Area

By Terry Mabery

Mission

Our mission is two-fold, as outlined in the Bible.

First, Jesus commanded, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16, NKJ). It is our goal to follow that command as fully as we can through opportunities available. It is for that reason that we offer to the community the opportunity to learn more of God's word through this paper, the Bible Call service, free tracts, video tapes of the Bible available for viewing, sponsorship of television programs on the cable network, and Bible studies in homes. In addition, we sponsor and oversee the work of a missionary family working full time in Cameroon, Africa. We also help support a native preacher in the same country. One of our elders and several members have made brief mission trips to Cameroon to help with this work and see how it is progressing. We help support a missionary in Murmansk, Russia, the largest city in the world above the Arctic circle. Our minister has made six brief mission trips to Murmansk. We are, also, helping support a man who works with schools throughout the Far East and Russia. These schools are helping to train men native to their country to preach God's word. He travels to and teaches in these schools and helps them in their organization.

Second, Jesus taught we are to help with the physical needs of our neighbors and friends (Matthew 25:34-40). James records, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27, NIV). Another goal is to fulfill this charge to the fullest of our ability. In addition to an annual clothing give away, we provide canned goods and other aid at times when local families have a need for such. We also contribute funds and goods to children's homes in two different states. These provide child care for unfortunate children. We also contribute to Christian Family Services, a local organization which provides foster care, adoption services, and family counseling.

Worship

Our worship is patterned after the simplicity of New Testament worship as outlined in the Bible. We strive to follow the instruction given by Paul, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17, NKJ). Therefore, when we assemble on the first day of the week, we participate in communion, eating the Lord's supper, as the early church did (Acts 20:7). We, also, have a period of preaching from God's word, as Paul did at the Troas church (Acts 20:7). Our singing is without an instrument, since the New Testament church was authorized only to sing as they assembled to worship God, not play instruments (Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16). We offer prayers to God with praise and adoration (1 Corinthians 14:15). Those who are members also contribute of their means to support the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

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