Van-guard (văn’gärd), noun: “The foremost or leading position in a trend or movement.”

the journey forward... exploring the emerging church... navigating spiritual formation... seeking to transform the world... ...through Christ

We purposely serve our community with the kindness of Jesus Christ

What this looks like is this:

We give away stuff, we do stuff, we figure out how to meet needs--all in the name of Jesus Christ so that we can provide a practical example of God's love for people.

We provide free car washes--no donations accepted. "Yes, it really is free, because God's love is free."

We give away carnations at the malls on Mother's Day--to wish moms a great day, and to thank them for all their hard work.

We go from business to business and clean bathrooms. The shock on the people who work in these places is great! And we simply say that we are cleaning restrooms, no strings attached, because God's love is a surprising, serving kind of love.

We go to nursing homes and visit the elderly, because they are often forgotten and lonely, and Jesus loves them very much.

We go to grocery stores and pack and cart people's groceries in the self-serve aisles--because God wants these precious people to redefine who he is--he is not out to GET from them, but he seeks to GIVE to all of us!

We are working together with an inner-city ministry (Refuge of Hope at the Open Door Chapel) in downtown Canton to develop a soup kitchen, a coffee house, and a homeless shelter--because Jesus loves the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed.

We collect canned goods and other groceries and randomly give them away to those living in the poorer neighborhoods of Canton.

Why do we do all this?

Because we believe small things done with GREAT LOVE will change the world!

Because we believe that Jesus wants us not to be a "come and see church" but a "go and do church." 

Because believe Jesus commands us to go and serve and show love and compassion to everyone--so that they can encounter the God who really, truly love them. 

And we believe that when we do this, we are also transformed--we are no longer in-grown, secluded, comfortable, useless Christians, we become outward focused true disciples of Jesus Christ, on the cutting-edge of where there are real needs, and useful in the hands of our mighty God!

Ministry Transformation- The Emerging Church  Personal Transformation- Spiritual Formation  World Transformation- Social Action

Interact with Bob Robinson about the emerging church, spiritual formation, or social action by e-mailing vanguard church with your comments.