FOC - Our History
The Fellowship of Christians has its roots in the "Jesus Movement" of the early 70s on the Arkansas Tech University campus. It all started when a group of newly-saved and Spirit-filled students began to meet together for prayer, teaching and regular daily devotionals. They met wherever they could - dorms, outside under trees and an empty room above an old gymnasium dubbed the "Upper Room." Zeal for evangelism was very strong and many people came to the Lord.
God imparted specific mission from the very beginning. We were taught that believers are living stones that are being built together into a house for God to dwell in by His Spirit (Eph. 2:21-22, I Peter 2:5). We learned that the reason a Christian exists is to build up Christ's church through evangelism and caring deeply for those who are being saved. We saw a standard for a lifestyle that reflected the life of the early church in Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-35. Our meetings began to focus on giving testimonies and worshipping Jesus in Spirit, soul and body. Since He inhabits the praises of His people, the more we pressed into worship, the more He manifested his presence among us.
Over a two or three-year period, we continued to grow in number. God began to speak to us about a deeper commitment, both to each other and to those outside God's kingdom. We saw a need for leadership and God began to call leaders from within the ranks of this young group. Our church structure today reflects the original mission the Lord gave us in those formative years.
FOC - Our Mission
Long version:
“Fellowship of Christians is an evangelical community established upon the Word of God that seeks to be led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are called to serve God through a lifestyle of worship and to extend His love and grace in culturally relevant ways.”
Short version:
Fellowship of Christians—Word. Spirit. Relevance...a Lifestyle.
FOC - Our Vision Statement
Acknowledging our mission, and having sought God together for the future of the next 3-5 years, Fellowship of Christians will actively work to G.R.O.W…
Go into all the world with the gospel through innovative outreach and service
Receive the abundance of God’s grace through the Word and the Spirit.
Overcome the world, the flesh and the devil through community and prayer.
Walk in the Spirit and His supernatural ministry.
The vision behind the acronym, G.R.O.W. is a simple, timely response to the profound truths found in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and the Great Commandments in Matthew 22:36-40. God wants us to grow spiritually and numerically. (Gen. 1:22) The Holy Spirit is ready to empower us to grow if we’ll let Him. (Acts 1:8)
FOC - Our Big Hairy Audacious Goal
Fellowship of Christians will transform our city, state and the nations through living God's Word and relying on the Holy Spirit. (Philippians 3:20-21; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
Recognizing that unity among believers is precious to God, we will network with others in the Body of Christ who share similar vision.