Values & Beliefs
The 18.26 Network Core Values
1. EMBRACING THE GOSPEL OF GRACE
God’s grace changes us so that we believe in Christ, the Trinity and the gospel and thereby have the strength, knowledge and ability to serve God. The gospel message is that God, by the righteous, substitutionary work of His son, Jesus Christ, redeems people who are spiritually condemned because of their sins. It is not through our own effort and work.
2. PARTNERING FOR THE GROWTH OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM GLOBALLY
The local church is the center of God’s Kingdom work on earth. Vocational missionaries contribute to the life of the local church and its mission work by representing Christ well in their work and in their lives. Through integration of their faith and work, evangelism and justice, vocational missionaries facilitate the local church’s growth and renewal. Partnering with field missionary teams will help our vocational missionaries understand the culture and particular needs of the national church.
3. DEVELOPING OUR 18.26 MISSIONARIES SPIRITUALLY AND VOCATIONALLY
Life and work in a foreign country has unique challenges. Our 18.26 vocational missionaries will be more effective in their vocational calling with continued growth in their spiritual and vocational lives. We are committed to develop meaningful, supportive relationships with our members in order to encourage them and counsel them as needed. Various training and growth materials will also be available to our members.
4. FACILITATING CHRISTIANS IN A STRATEGIC MISSIONS FIELD- THEIR WORKPLACE!
We believe that Christians living out their faith where people spend at least 50% of their waking hours – at work – is a focus of missions that needs to be expanded. Thousands of men and women are willing to work overseas but they need help in order to go, live, work and serve effectively in foreign situations. We are committed to assist them in going and in serving well in their global places of work.
Beliefs
As a division of Mission to the World, we are part of the Presbyterian Church in America.
The Following is a Synopsis of the Beliefs of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
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The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
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There is one God, eternal and self-existing in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) who are to be equally loved, honored, and adored.
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All mankind participated in Adam’s fall from his original sinless state and is thus lost in sin and totally helpless.
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The Sovereign God, for no other reason than His own unfathomable love and mercy, has chosen lost sinners from every nation to be redeemed by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit and through the atoning death and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ.
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Those sinners whom the Spirit quickens, come to believe in Christ as Savior by the Word of God, are born again, become sons of God, and will persevere to the end.
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Justification is by faith and through it the undeserving sinner is clothed with the righteousness of Christ.
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The goal of God’s salvation in the life of the Christian is holiness, good works, and service for the glory of God.
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At death the Christian’s soul passes immediately into the presence of God and the unbeliever’s soul is eternally separated from God unto condemnation.
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Baptism is a sign of God’s covenant and is properly administered to children of believers in their infancy as well as to those who come as adults to trust in Christ.
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Jesus Christ will return to earth, visibly and bodily, at a time when He is not expected to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.
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The Gospel of God’s salvation in Jesus Christ must be published to all the world as a witness before Jesus Christ returns.
For a more in-depth explanation of the beliefs of the PCA, please visit: http://www.pcaac.org/what-we-believe