God wants our lives to demonstrate the power and work of the Holy Spirit. Since Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith, there is no doubt that understanding what is important to Jesus, and following His examples, will lead us to lives that fulfill His purpose for us. By focusing on a lifestyle of personal growth and spiritual maturity and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, we can prioritize our lives around the things that are most important to Jesus and should be most important to us.
The life of Jesus exemplified four key values: (1) being a witness, (2) being holy, (3) being in community, and (4) being a disciple-maker. If we focus, as Jesus did, on making these a part of our lifestyle, we will be living examples of the power of God. Our desire is that the New Hope family be characterized by these values and this lifestyle, and personally experience that FOCUS = POWER!

FOCUS on Being a Witness
Jesus’ compassion for people in need moved him to action (Matthew 9:36). By meeting their physical needs, the door to meet people’s spiritual needs opened. With this same compassion, our witness of how God has worked in our lives can show others how He can work in theirs. Jesus clearly asks us to be witnesses of His saving grace and has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us in doing so.

FOCUS on Being Holy
Jesus was holiness personified. “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ’Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). Our growth in holiness reflects the work of the Spirit as we walk in obedience to God and his word, as we live in partnership with other believers, and as we endeavor to have redemptive relationships with those outside of the church.

FOCUS on Being in Community
Jesus modeled healthy dependence on God as well as on other people. In his darkest hour, rather than be alone, He asked his friends to be with him (Matthew 26:38). Jesus was “in community” with both God and his friends. Being in community means our relationships allow us to express ourselves freely and to reveal our “real” selves, always urging each other on and maintaining accountability. As we strive to grow spiritually, we should pursue being in community with God and other believers, building those relationships, just as Jesus did.

FOCUS on Being a Disciple-Maker
The last words of our Lord Jesus recorded in the gospels point to the importance of being a disciple-maker: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations….” (Matthew 28:19). Spiritual maturity and a vital relationship to Jesus are evidenced in our being fruitful in making new disciples (John 15:1-8). The making of disciples who make disciples is the result of being strong in the grace that Jesus gives.