Mission,
Goals, and Vision of the Apologetics Resource Center
Mission | Goals | Vision
Mission Statement
The Apologetics Resource Center is a mission whose purpose
is to reach the minds and hearts of people with the message
and truth claims of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Its mission
is also to equip Christians with a culturally relevant apologetic,
enabling them to have a deeper level of personal faith, contend
for that faith, and to enter arenas of resistance and reclaim
ground lost to skepticism, secularism, and other alien philosophies.
We seek to impact anyone, on whatever territory they may
be, including thinkers, leaders, and opinion makers, with
the eternal truths of God's Word so that all hearts and minds
are in tune with the heart and mind of God.
Goals and Objectives
Apologetics is a long established but very neglected discipline/ministry
in the body of Christ. The purpose of apologetics is to both
answer the objections or barriers to faith in defense of
the faith for believers and unbelievers (Jude 3-4, I Peter
3:15, 2Corinthians 10:3-5), and to reveal the foolishness
or inadequacy of any opposing world-view.
The new ministry is called Apologetics Resource Center
(ARC). The scope will involve addressing the full range
of Christian apologetics ministry, including evidential,
presuppositional, and philosophical apologetics, some cults
and world religions.
All of this is done in the context of giving answers or
reasons for both strengthening a Christian's faith and
for the evangelization of our culture. As I've traveled
in, interacted, and observed our emerging postmodern culture,
I have realized that our culture has not only drastically
lost sight of any framework for discernment, but our mission
field is also within the Church itself.
Only 6% of our population
is solidly evangelical, yet 40% profess to be born-again
Christians! Because of the lack
of deep Biblical foundations and a decided accommodation
of our culture's relativistic beliefs, there is a significant
need to strengthen the Church and together learn how to redemptively
engage a secular culture which is becoming more pagan and
resistant to the gospel. (top)
The Vision of ARC
1. To establish an adjunct relationship in a number of churches
from various denominations to accomplish the following:
a. To teach classes on apologetics on an ongoing basis in
order to deepen and strengthen the faith of believers.
b. To integrate apologetics into the evangelism efforts of
the church.
c. To surface and train apologists in each local church and
beyond.
2. To begin a website resource center filled with articles,
papers and links to other solid resources answering the objections
and challenges to the Christian faith, which will be accessible
to all, and to produce an on-line magazine on issues and
for edification.
3. To organize a ministry team of already skilled apologists,
experts in various areas of apologetics to:
a. Be a part of a speaker's bureau, which will be available
to participate in organized dialogues or debates in various
settings including college campuses, the business community,
and other forums.
b. Be available for personal "trouble-shooting" evangelism
if someone needs a specialized expert in the body of Christ.
c. Maintain an active witnessing presence on the Internet.
d. To participate in fulfilling the educational and evangelistic
goals in the local churches.
4. To develop a program for junior and senior high school
students with a special focus on seniors to make sure they
are prepared to engage the hostile environment of college
or the workplace.
5. To establish evangelistic
home Bible studies or discussion groups - like mini "L' Abris" around
our city. One of those home fellowships will be in our
home.
6. To better equip Christians to more effectively address
the cultural and social issues of our day (but to never lose
sight of the fact that ultimately real change can only occur
if hearts are changed through the gospel).
7. To coordinate and schedule apologetics conference speakers
and events to the Christian community locally and beyond.
8. To produce an educational and equipping magazine for
church members and other interested readers.
9. To establish an Apologetics Institute with two tracks:
a. a 2-year program for those entering into the apologetics
ministry field; and
b. a 1-year program for the serious apologetics student.
10. We intend to plant
additional Apologetics Resource Centers in other cities. (top)
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