Collaborations
Westpoint believes that ONENESS and TOGETHERNESS among the church and among each local expression of the church is a must. That’s why we don’t just talk about it. We have been a part of initiating two different COLLABORATIONS of the local churches of Central Florida. Here’s more info about that:
the Church of West Orange
On December 10th, 2008, a meeting occurred at HOUSE BLEND CAFE in Ocoee, FL with a group of pastors from some of the churches across the West Orange County area. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how we could be the church TOGETHER to the people of West Orange County and beyond. We all agreed that beginning in 2009, we MUST forsake being territorial, being focused on “growing our own churches,” and being concerned about the culture coming to church buildings on Sunday mornings. Rather, we must go and serve the people of West Orange County right where they are, with attention to the needs they are dealing with at this time.We also talked about the importance of giving energy to the “overlooked and ignored” – the “least of these,” as Jesus described them in Matthew 25. Feeding the hungry. Clothing the naked. Giving water to the thirsty. Housing the homeless. Visiting the imprisoned. Not recreating the wheel, but rather more intensely supporting the various ministries already existing here, while creating new ones that would fill in the gaps.
It simply makes sense to be ONE. One church with one savior and one purpose – the same purpose Jesus had. To love God and to love people. One church with many expressions. Unity doesn’t equal unanimity. While distinctions and differences will certainly continue to exist, they will not continue to be dividers. Those distinctions and differences, while they may continue to be expressed in each of our local gatherings, will no longer keep us from unifying to love and serve the people of West Orange County. We will together be the church in ways that will compassionately change lives in the now and definitively shape the future of our community.
Reproducing Churches
The evidence of a healthy New Testament Church is seen not only in the daily, disciple-making activity of each Christ-follower, but also in the unified purpose of reproducing that effort in new ways and in new contexts. Local churches that unite in this purpose become so significant in shaping the culture of a region, a country, and the world. That’s why ReproducingChurches.com exists – to be a catalyst for collaboration among local churches that share a passion to reproduce themselves and to unite them to be the church in new expressions to every man, woman, and child throughout the region of Central Florida and beyond.
The Greater Orlando Baptist Association is a local missions organization made up of local churches committed to becoming a family of healthy growing churches loving, serving and reaching Central Florida and the world by developing and multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches. They have been one of Westpoint's premier supporters and encouragers. We gratefully associate with and serve alongside them here in Central Florida.