As the 2015 team identifies the heartbeat of Ridgedale Baptist Church and focus in our highest callings as a church, we consider Loving God and Loving Others as our Greatest Commandment. Our future focus is not a new focus, just one we want to make sure is at the heart of all we do in the future.

Matthew 22:36-39 (AMP)... You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind (intellect). This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Worship and Proclaim:
John 4:24 (NIV) "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

We just have to Love God with all of our being. When we love and worship God, it will become obvious in our everyday lives.

Worship is a lifestyle, not just an event.

Equip and Empower:
Matthew 28:19 (NIV) "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..."

We are all called to be ministers of the Gospel. We don't have to be on the staff of a church to be called an equipper of Christ Followers. It is said that God not only calls the eqipped, He equips the called.

Serve and Share:
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it it's various forms."

We can all show our love for God by serving and helping other people. James warns that if we claim to love God, but don't show it by our works, our faith is dead. Paul says, the converse is also true, if we serve extraordinarily, but serve without love, we gain nothing. So, out of love and gratitude to God, serve others!

Embrace and Invite:
Mark 9:37 (AMP) "Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me; and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me."

As we all grow in a lifestyle that is consistent with Loving God and Loving Others, we will earn the trust of those who need to know and follow Jesus. When they feel comfortable, theyt may ask us a question and we can respond appropriately.