Our Biblical Mandate for Mission

Mission at St. Philip’s is more than the activity of the Outreach Committee. Many of our regular ministries have an appeal beyond the parish. The chart that follows is designed to show how our parish life has a ripple effect reaching into the parish, the greater Markham area, the Diocese, and beyond. Mission is part of our calling corporately and as individuals.

MISSION IS EVANGELISM. Jesus gave this final commission to his followers: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." (Matthew 28: 18-20 - The Message) Someone once said that evangelism is simply one beggar telling another where to find food.
MISSION IS CARING FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS. There is a practical side to the Gospel. In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Jesus made this amazing declaration. The Kings servants asked, “When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' (Matthew 25:38-40 – The Message)
MISSION IS CONTAGIOUS. The proclamation of the good news of Jesus has local, regional and world-wide impact: As he ascended Jesus made this promise to his followers: When the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world." (Acts 1:8-The Message) Judea was the region around Jerusalem, Judea was the region north of Judea. In other words, the gospel has a ripple effect outwards from Jerusalem.

Whenever you pray with or for another, say a kind word, visit, or share the love of Jesus in word or deed, you do it for Christ.

When the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world." - Acts 1:8, The Message

Within the Church
(Jerusalem)

In the Community
(Judea)

The Diocese
(Samaria)

In the World
(The ends of the earth)