We are church
‘We are Church’ literary means we are the Church; the gathering of people devoted to worship God any day, at any given moment, everywhere! We believe that it is important to understand that a church is not a building.
The church is often viewed as an organization, but is actually more of an ‘organism.’ It is the united fellowship of all Christians with their God — the wondrous union of Christ’s Spirit indwelling the hearts of all true believers. — “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16).
Collectively we seek Gods presence regardless religious boundaries like doctrines, titles and positions, buildings and organisations. In our existence as the living Church of God, we join together from time to time being one family in Chirst celebrating His Reign over all creation!
The church is often viewed as an organization, but is actually more of an ‘organism.’ It is the united fellowship of all Christians with their God — the wondrous union of Christ’s Spirit indwelling the hearts of all true believers. — “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16). Collectively we seek Gods presence regardless religious boundaries like doctrines, titles and positions, buildings and organisations. In our existence as the living Church of God, we join together from time to time being one family in Chirst celebrating His Reign over all creation!
Church is not a building nor an institute
It is important to understand that a church is not a building, although many people frequently use that term to describe the facility built for the use of the church. History shows the New Testament church met primarily in private homes — Christian cathedrals or tabernacles designed specifically for believers to gather for worship did not exist until almost three centuries after the church got started. Unlike the Old Testament temple, in which the presence of God habitated, the new covenant of Jesus Christ made every believer a temple of the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16).
People often think that the most distinctive or important part of Church is the structure or model. It is not. The most important part of our church are the values—the DNA—that will be the foundation of godly leaders who shepherd godly churches.
It is important to understand that a church is not a building, although many people frequently use that term to describe the facility built for the use of the church. History shows the New Testament church met primarily in private homes — Christian cathedrals or tabernacles designed specifically for believers to gather for worship did not exist until almost three centuries after the church got started. Unlike the Old Testament temple, in which the presence of God habitated, the new covenant of Jesus Christ made every believer a temple of the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16). People often think that the most distinctive or important part of Church is the structure or model. It is not. The most important part of our church are the values—the DNA—that will be the foundation of godly leaders who shepherd godly churches.
What is church?
In the New Testament, the term “church,” also sometimes translated as “assembly,” comes from the Greek word EKKLESIA which means the “called out.” The word was used by the Greeks to describe the assembling or gathering of citizens who were called out to meet together for public hearings. The heralds would walk through the streets and literally call for people to come out from what they were doing to gather for public business. In the scriptures EKKLESIA refers to those whom Christ has “called out” from the world to be His own, and to assemble together in His name.
The primary meaning of the church is used in a universal sense, referring to all Christian believers everywhere. Irrespective of denominational or doctrinal differences, all persons who have genuinely placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are members of His church, also called the body of Christ, over which Christ is the head (Eph. 1:22-23).
Secondarily, the church also refers to a local congregation of believers. While the scriptures tell us that there is only one true church, yet it is made up of many individual churches. Most of the Apostle Paul’s epistles were written to the local churches such as at Rome, Corinth, Thessalonica, Ephesus, Philippi, Galatia, and Colosse, and he makes mention of many other churches which had been established in various cities at that time.
In the New Testament, the term “church,” also sometimes translated as “assembly,” comes from the Greek word EKKLESIA which means the “called out.” The word was used by the Greeks to describe the assembling or gathering of citizens who were called out to meet together for public hearings. The heralds would walk through the streets and literally call for people to come out from what they were doing to gather for public business. In the scriptures EKKLESIA refers to those whom Christ has “called out” from the world to be His own, and to assemble together in His name. The primary meaning of the church is used in a universal sense, referring to all Christian believers everywhere. Irrespective of denominational or doctrinal differences, all persons who have genuinely placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are members of His church, also called the body of Christ, over which Christ is the head (Eph. 1:22-23). Secondarily, the church also refers to a local congregation of believers. While the scriptures tell us that there is only one true church, yet it is made up of many individual churches. Most of the Apostle Paul’s epistles were written to the local churches such as at Rome, Corinth, Thessalonica, Ephesus, Philippi, Galatia, and Colosse, and he makes mention of many other churches which had been established in various cities at that time.
Values
It is important to understand that a church is not a building, although many people frequently use that term to describe the facility built for the use of the church. History shows the New Testament church met primarily in private homes — Christian cathedrals or tabernacles designed specifically for believers to gather for worship did not exist until almost three centuries after the church got started. Unlike the Old Testament temple, in which the presence of God habitated, the new covenant of Jesus Christ made every believer a temple of the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16).
The church is often viewed as an organization, but is actually more of an “organism.” It is the united fellowship of all Christians with their God — the wondrous union of Christ’s Spirit indwelling the hearts of all true believers.
People often think that the most distinctive or important part of Church is the structure or model. It is not. The most important part of our church are the values—the DNA—that will be the foundation of godly leaders who shepherd godly churches.
It is important to understand that a church is not a building, although many people frequently use that term to describe the facility built for the use of the church. History shows the New Testament church met primarily in private homes — Christian cathedrals or tabernacles designed specifically for believers to gather for worship did not exist until almost three centuries after the church got started. Unlike the Old Testament temple, in which the presence of God habitated, the new covenant of Jesus Christ made every believer a temple of the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16).The church is often viewed as an organization, but is actually more of an “organism.” It is the united fellowship of all Christians with their God — the wondrous union of Christ’s Spirit indwelling the hearts of all true believers.People often think that the most distinctive or important part of Church is the structure or model. It is not. The most important part of our church are the values—the DNA—that will be the foundation of godly leaders who shepherd godly churches.
The body of believers is supposed to be closer to us than our own families (Matt. 12:46, Luke 14:26). Jesus said that “all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). He also prayed that his disciples would be so “perfectly one” that the world may believe that the Father sent Jesus (John 17:20-23).
We want to be people who love each other deeply and show this by our sacrifice. We seek a bond that surpasses that of our natural families and is only possible because of our common fellowship with Jesus. We share our possessions and our lives with each other. We seek to obey all of the “one another” commands in Scripture. Christ wants us to be known for our love, and He claimed that our unity would cause others to believe in Him. Our goal is not merely to get along but to love each other to the extent that Christ loved us, and to be united to the extent that the Father is one with the Son.
The body of believers is supposed to be closer to us than our own families (Matt. 12:46, Luke 14:26). Jesus said that “all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). He also prayed that his disciples would be so “perfectly one” that the world may believe that the Father sent Jesus (John 17:20-23).We want to be people who love each other deeply and show this by our sacrifice. We seek a bond that surpasses that of our natural families and is only possible because of our common fellowship with Jesus. We share our possessions and our lives with each other. We seek to obey all of the “one another” commands in Scripture. Christ wants us to be known for our love, and He claimed that our unity would cause others to believe in Him. Our goal is not merely to get along but to love each other to the extent that Christ loved us, and to be united to the extent that the Father is one with the Son.
We want our people to become fully trained for greater works of service. We believe that all believers are called be disciple-makers. No one should come as a consumer, but all should come as servants. The Holy Spirit has given each of us a gift that is to be used for building up the body. We want our leaders to teach us how to lead and help us develop in character through their modeling and teaching. Our goal is that each one of us becomes like Christ, and develops the ability to lead others to Him, make disciples, and plant churches.
W.e want our people to become fully trained for greater works of service. We believe that all believers are called be disciple-makers. No one should come as a consumer, but all should come as servants. The Holy Spirit has given each of us a gift that is to be used for building up the body. We want our leaders to teach us how to lead and help us develop in character through their modeling and teaching. Our goal is that each one of us becomes like Christ, and develops the ability to lead others to Him, make disciples, and plant churches
We want to be people with supernatural character, focused on sharing the gospel with neighbors and coworkers. We want to be people who are not focused on survival or higher standards of living, but devoted to the mission. For some, this will mean going to foreign countries to share Christ where He has not been heard. For others, this means supporting those who have gone. For everyone, it means sharing the gospel regularly.
We want to be people with supernatural character, focused on sharing the gospel with neighbors and coworkers. We want to be people who are not focused on survival or higher standards of living, but devoted to the mission. For some, this will mean going to foreign countries to share Christ where He has not been heard. For others, this means supporting those who have gone. For everyone, it means sharing the gospel regularly.
We want to be people who are eagerly waiting for the return of Christ. We are willing and wanting to suffer because we believe in heavenly rewards. When you read the Scriptures it is undeniably clear that Christians are supposed to expect, lean into and embrace suffering with joy. And this calling to willingly walk into suffering for the sake of the gospel is a call for all believers and not just for leaders or those serving in missions in persecuted areas of the world (Matthew 16:24; Matthew 10:21; 2 Timothy 1:8, 3:12; Philippians 1:29) Far from seeking comfort, we thrive on any hardship we get to endure for His Name. Our focus is not on what we can see, but on the unseen world. We refuse to become citizens on this earth. We live as aliens and strangers on the earth, waiting for a better city.
We want to be people who are eagerly waiting for the return of Christ. We are willing and wanting to suffer because we believe in heavenly rewards. When you read the Scriptures it is undeniably clear that Christians are supposed to expect, lean into and embrace suffering with joy. And this calling to willingly walk into suffering for the sake of the gospel is a call for all believers and not just for leaders or those serving in missions in persecuted areas of the world (Matthew 16:24; Matthew 10:21; 2 Timothy 1:8, 3:12; Philippians 1:29) Far from seeking comfort, we thrive on any hardship we get to endure for His Name. Our focus is not on what we can see, but on the unseen world. We refuse to become citizens on this earth. We live as aliens and strangers on the earth, waiting for a better city.
LOVE
StL Mission happens in everyday life. Our aim is to love the nations and to love the people we meet with the same love that Christ has for us.
LIVE
We work together to disciple nations to their God appointed destiny. Training young people to be missionaries that bring transformation to every sphere of life.
Start with a DTS
Discipleship Training School (DTS) is our introductory course here at StL Amsterdam. It is a great starting point if you are looking to be trained and launched into missions.
Academy
Preparing leaders to change the world
Learn more › Find a Course ›
News
Stay unto date, receive devotionals, updates
and prayer alerts directly into your mailbox.
Subscribe ›
Make God Known
3 billion people don't know Jesus. We are going to change that. Travel to the ends of the earth to share the gospel.
We work together to disciple nations to their God appointed destiny. Training young people to be missionaries that bring transformation to every sphere of life. We love to walk together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; growing, being sharpened and filled with joy as we go out in His power.
We work together to disciple nations to their God appointed destiny. Training young people to be missionaries that bring transformation to every sphere of life. We love to walk together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; growing, being sharpened and filled with joy as we go out in His power.
Our partners
