Mission Statement
By the mercy of God’s grace and for His great glory, Desert Springs exists to worship our worthy God, grow in Gospel grace and extend Christ’s Kingdom in Tucson and beyond!
Mission » Principles of Gospel Transformation
Desert Springs seeks to embody the principles of gospel transformation throughout the life of the church. We desire that every ministry area and every member is led in a life of joyful gospel dependence and outward missional involvement. Our seven core values are the “DNA” that shapes Desert Springs’ particular ministry strategies and what we desire for our membership. Everything starts here!
God’s People
The church is called to be an authentic and loving community. It is for every kind of person from every kind of background. This means we are committed to imitating Jesus so that everything we do is done with humility, sensitivity and a listening ear.
God’s Mission
Christ came to establish not simply a church, but a kingdom. The kingdom is a broader vision of ministry, which includes the entire city and its culture. This kingdom work is not to be against the city, nor is it to condone its actions, but seeks to transform both city and culture. As kingdom saints we believe that it is our responsibility to winsomely and realistically engage the metro area of Tucson for the glory of Christ.
God’s Gospel Grace
The Gospel’s message of grace—that sinners are forgiven and restored by God through the work of Jesus Christ—is not only that which brings us into relationship with God, but also that which grows us to maturity. Grace frees us from the dual temptations of despair in failure and self-centered pride in success. This is true freedom and it is revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As Jerry Bridges said, “Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace, nor are your best days ever so good that you are beyond the need of it.” (Discipline of Grace, Colorado Springs, Co.: NavPress, 1994, 18) In other words, the engine of the Christian life is the gospel of grace, transforming all whom it touches. This gospel freedom is our central message, and the driving force behind our evangelism, growth, and service.
God’s Worship
Worship is what we were made for. Thus, it is not surprising that worship is at the very core of our humanity. We were created to “glorify God and to enjoy Him forever” (The First Question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism). Our tendency, however, is to look to other things for our security, stability and happiness. Augustine rightly said, “our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee” (St. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions). True biblical worship exists to turn us from placing our affections on created things and to find our rest and satisfaction in the one who made everything. Thus, true worship is only found in worshipping the living God.
God’s Church
The Christian faith is not something lived out in isolation but in the context of the church. Desert Springs is both an organization of people and a living organism or community called the body of Christ. For this reason, we value the people of the church—her men, women and children. Each of God’s people are uniquely blessed and called to exercise their gifts for the common good of the church. Our service to others is not based on a guilt-motivation but comes from the outworking of knowing Christ and His ministry to us. We seek to help our membership identify and utilize their gifts so that all believers are equipped and zealous to do the work of ministry.
God’s Glory
Our great hope is to be a God-centered church, captivated by God’s ultimate aim–Himself. Ironically, it is in pursuing His glory that our greatest happiness is found. Jonathan Edwards says, “The happiness of the creature consists in rejoicing in God, by which also God is magnified and exalted.” As a result, our confidence is not in ourselves, but in His work. God is always going ahead, behind and alongside His people. The Church is first and foremost His great work. Our calling is to participate in what He is already doing.
God’s Truth
The Bible is more than a guidebook; it is a living authority, shaping our preaching and teaching and making application to everyday life. It is through the Scripture that God changes the hearts of the unconvinced and matures those already in Christ. Therefore, the Bible, not pragmatism, personalities, marketing techniques, or programs, drives and develops ministry. Likewise, the Bible shapes our theological identity. We use creeds and confessions not to replace Scripture, but to link us to the rich, biblical heritage of our Reformation roots. The congregation of Desert Springs is encouraged to think about and study God’s truth as it is revealed in the Scripture using books, confessions, creeds and other resources as tools for deeper, clearer understanding.