Where We Are Going: Our Vision

Narkis Street Congregation envisions itself as a community in love with God, caring for each other, growing together as disciples, and sharing the compassion of Jesus with the world. This Vision Statement builds on our Identity Statement by articulating our present vision of what we are doing now and where we are headed in the future. Narkis Street Congregation’s vision is for the growth of God’s Kingdom: through our relationship with God and others, studying the living Word, and reaching out through the Spirit.

Vision for Our Relationship with God.

Narkis Street Congregation seeks to commune with God through prayer and worship both individually and corporately (2 Chr. 7:14). God is enthroned among the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3), and God answers those who call upon Him (Isa. 55:6-7; Jer. 33:3; Zech. 13:9).

• We are a House of Prayer for All Nations, and to foster a supportive environment for prayer and worship growing out of pure and repentant hearts.

• We are a forum of freedom for both visiting pilgrims and local residents who together are embracing God’s Kingdom.

• We break up into small groups during the Saturday/Shabbat service to lift up our praises and our burdens in a communal manner.

• We gather weekly to pray for the immediate needs of the congregation and the community at large.

• We encourage each member to have a daily time dedicated to commune with God.

Vision for our relationship with others

People at Narkis Street Congregation seek to be peacemakers, to accept all people, and to build a community centered on Jesus: serving , encouraging, sharing, and spurring on to love and good works (Heb. 10:24-25).

• We are commanded to be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9, 43-48; Heb. 12:14; Ps.34:14; Rom.14:19). Living in Jerusalem in the 21st century, we stand at a threshold of reconciliation among Jews, Arabs, and all who reside in this land. By striving to remain impartial without favoritism, a bridge of dialogue and forgiveness can be built on the principles of Jesus to be “pro-people.”

• We intend to build up Jerusalem with contrite and humble hearts (Ps. 51:17-18; Mic.3:8-11; Ps. 122:6) ideally without any self-serving, political, or eschatological agendas.
We are commanded, as we have opportunity, to do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). Our personal decisions to follow God have united us as a extended family through Jesus.

• We have supportive home groups that meet during the week for prayer and fellowship.

• We support the defenseless and needy in the community (James 2:14-17; I Tim. 5:8).

• We have a prayer chain which lifts up the needs of the community.

• We participate in congregational retreats to renew and equip the community.

• We joyfully strive for unity with all believers and congregations. We share facilities with two other congregations at Narkis Street. We also fellowship and partner with other congregations in Jerusalem and around the world.

Vision for studying and teaching God's Word.

Narkis Street Congregation seeks to grow in God’s wisdom and truth (2 Tim. 2:15). We believe that one of our purposes is to remind other Christians throughout the world of the spiritual value of understanding Jesus’ teaching in its first-century Jewish context.

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• We have a Spirit-filled academic study of the Scriptures which seeks to return the nations to the foundation of Jesus’ teaching, the Torah. For out of Zion shall go forth the law (torah), and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isa 2:2-3).

• Our 9:30am Shabbat Bible Study emphasizes the teachings of Jesus and how he interpreted, handled, and illuminated the Hebrew Scriptures.

• We support youth, students, and teachers coming to study and serve here, believing that living in the land increases one’s biblical awareness and social responsibility. Such study and service in the land is highly beneficial, especially for those ministering in the Church.

• We produce material detailing Jesus and the Bible in their Hebraic setting.

• We plan and promote teaching seminars and conferences as well as youth study-tours for the local and international Church body, enabling believers throughout the world to grow in their understanding and practice of Jesus’ Kingdom message. We have hosted the Robert L. Lindsey Memorial Lectures since 2002.

Vision for reaching out through the Spirit.

Narkis Street Congregation desires to touch, hold, and heal the hurting world with Jesus’ good news of the Kingdom of Heaven and the power of the Holy Spirit, transforming and restoring lives by reaching out with God’s compassion (Matt. 25:34-40).

• We share the good news of Jesus with every person without prejudice, in hopes that each one will embrace of God’s ever-present grace and redemption (2 Cor. 6:2). We are commanded to be God’s witnesses not just in words but especially through deeds inspired by the Spirit (Acts 1:8; Luke 6:46; Matt. 7:21-23).

• We feel a particular calling to reach out to the disenfranchised, those who have no one to defend them…the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the poor, the sick, the prisoner, the naked, the hungry, and the thirsty (Ex. 22:21-27; Matt. 25:31-46).

• We follow the steps of Jesus; just as he walked the earth praying for the sick, holding the hurting, freeing the demon-possessed, so too, we acknowledge the Spirit’s ability to work these same miraculous acts today (Mark 16:15-18; James 5:15-18; I Cor. 12:7-11).

• Our congregation encourages and supports families, groups, and individuals throughout Israel, the Middle East, and the world who are being the Good News. Our congregation has sent out individuals and groups around the world to visit and participate in the on-going work in these respective areas. We continue to financially, physically, and prayerfully support these works.

Narkis Street Congregation believes if we communicate with God, encourage one another, invest time in learning God’s Word, and help the hurting, God’s Kingdom will further blossom. The early followers of Jesus matured from similar ideas, and they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and kononia, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42). We want to obey Jesus’ teachings including go and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19). Narkis Street Congregation is determined to be about the business of God’s Kingdom.