Dear Saints at RBC,
As a pastor, I always see the year beginning after Labor Day. This is when
everyone is back from vacation and all ministries shift into full gear. For
those of you who are new to Reston Bible Church, allow me to give you a
very brief history of our church which will help give some context to where
we are and where the Lord is taking us.
My wife, Kay, and I moved to Reston in May of 1974 where we invited some
people to attend a Bible study. The gospel was preached then as it is now,
and the study grew to be large enough for us to start meeting on Sunday
mornings. As the Lord brought people to RBC, He raised up a great army of
volunteers to help us get to where we are presently. I believe we are poised
to make another great advance. We have a new mission statement which in
one sense is not really new, but helps us connect the past with the present in
order to maintain what God has called us to from the beginning.
To know Christ and to make Him known
through biblical preaching and teaching
and authentic Christian community
in Northern Virginia and around the world.
Mission statements help keep churches on track and are designed to make
sure that all ministries have the same focus. “To know Christ and make Him
known” is what we have been about for the last thirty-three years. This is
the biblical track that we want to run on. “Through biblical preaching and
teaching” is the how of our mission. People must hear the word in order
to grow. “And authentic Christian community” is where much of our lives
are carried out. Our many small groups are designed to keep us in touch
with one another. RBC started from a Bible study. This is the circulatory
system of the church. “In Northern Virginia” tells us of our responsibility as
a church to this local community where we have been planted. This is our
Jerusalem. “And around the world” is a major thrust of who we are as a body
of believers. The world must hear the gospel, and we put a heavy emphasis
on world missions.
The leadership believes that our heritage is also our future. Where we came
from has much to say about where we are going. There is much to be done
in His vineyard and all of us are called to be a part of advancing the kingdom
through our time, treasure, and talents. Thank you for your faithfulness to
this mission as we move forward together as a body of believers.
In Christ,
Mike Minter
Teaching Pastor