DestinyChurchAZ.org

Our Promises to You

1. You will be loved and accepted.
2. You will receive relevant Bible teaching.
3. You will experience the presence of God.
4. Your children will learn about God and have a great time.
5. You will enjoy contemporary, meaningful music.

Destiny's Core Values

Discipleship -– Every Member a Minister

Experiencing God -- Prayer, Worship, & Loving Relationships

Servant Leadership – Just Like Jesus

Team Ministry – Better Together

Integrity – Purity & Consistency

Nothing Half-Hearted – Passion in Ministry

Yes to the Great Commission – Evangelism & Missions

Our Mission: Our reason for existence...

Revealing God’s purpose and destiny for families with children and teens in the Northwest Valley through culturally relevant and passionate Evangelism, Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, and Ministry

Our 5-Year Vision: What we plan to be and do...

• • Destiny will be a vibrant, community church reaching across denominational barriers with a superb array of ministries for the whole family.
• • Weekly activities will include prayer groups, discipleship groups, evangelism outreach, cutting-edge children’s and youth ministries and upbeat, contemporary worship. Each department will make use of the latest in audio/video technologies, music, and drama to communicate the gospel message.
• • The church will provide first-class nursery and toddler facilities and classes. Elementary and teen discipleship will be provided through age-grouped Christian Living classes and small groups throughout the week including student led Bible study groups on various campuses.
• • Destiny’s adult offerings will include passionate, practical preaching and teaching with a varied menu of classes and services available throughout the week. Discipleship, accountability, and support groups will meet daily in various locations throughout the metro area.
• • The leadership of Destiny will be comprised of teams of volunteers trained and equipped by the pastoral staff. Growth and expansion will be readily provided for through apprenticeships with each team leader.
• • Destiny will be a community leader, partnering with other evangelical churches in compassion ministries to care for the practical, felt needs of residents of all ages. They will be involved in both local and foreign missions projects with a special focus on campus ministries.
• • The church envisions teaming with other local churches to plant new churches in other high-density population growth areas.

Philosophy of Ministry

During the past 30+ years of ministry, Beverly and I have learned and cultivated a greater compassion for hurting individuals and families, those whose dreams and plans are not fulfilled due to uncontrollable circumstances and tragedies of life. The scriptural foundation for the ministry of the church is found in Ephesians 4 as we are told to "walk worthy of the vocation to which we are called." That vocation involves patterning our daily lives and activities after the life and ministry of Jesus. We must proclaim the Good News to the poor, the brokenhearted, the bound, the blind, and the wounded (Luke 4:18). We must declare the great day of the Lord's acceptance of men who come to Him in need. We are commissioned to heal them, deliver them, restore them, and set them free by the power of the Holy Spirit with which we (like Jesus) are anointed. Our church family must fulfill this calling both locally and in missions outreach ministries.

Although biblical teaching certainly is profitable for discipline and correction, we must realize the tremendous need for undying love, sincere compassion, and tender, merciful care for a torn and disappointed world. The message of the church must be hope, help, and heaven. The world already has enough heartlessness, hurt, and hell. The church must be a place of strengthening and healing which shines forth brightly in a dark society. Forgiveness and acceptance are necessary to make the church a place where people feel welcomed, needed, and loved.

The character of Christ must be modeled through us (Eph. 4:2) in humility, meekness, patience, and at times "putting up with" one another in love for the sake of unity in the body of Christ. Thus, scriptural holiness is not a list of "thou shalt not’s," but rather a commitment to become more and more like Christ in love, compassion, and purity of purpose.

Furthermore, we cannot sit idly in our homes and churches, waiting for the hurting to wander in from the streets. We have already waited too long and many have been lost. We must go where they are, find them in their hour of need, and minister to them in love. Only then can they be compelled to come in to worship with us and celebrate the marvelous grace and power of God. The church must commit itself to personal, one-on-one, ministry where the needs are.

The purpose of pastors and other ministry gifts is to equip and train the church for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). We accomplish this by leading the way through personal example. The flock will only go where the shepherd leads. A sleeping shepherd produces sleeping or scattered sheep. But a happy shepherd on the move produces a happy flock moving steadily and surely forward together. They know they are loved and don't mind even the roughest terrain. They are sure of greener pastures ahead.

Two final considerations are the balance and focus of ministry. There must be a balance of ministry to a variety of age groups, educational levels, interest groups, and socioeconomic levels. The church cannot afford to minister to only one and neglect the others. Both young and old are important. Both rich and poor need ministry. And lastly, all ministry must focus on exalting Jesus. The church is not a platform for building the reputation of the pastor or a few gifted leaders. If man is exalted more than Christ, the ministry is on an unstable foundation and will not stand the tests of time and spiritual warfare. We must remember that this is His Church and He is building it (Matt. 16:18). We are only fragile vessels chosen as instruments through which His work is accomplished. May we therefore do the work of Him who has sent us forth and finish His work.

Pastor Arvle Knight

Purpose Driven

Destiny is a Purpose Driven church based on the ministry model of Saddleback Church of Lake Forest, California. Pastor Rick Warren uses the Great Commission and the Great Commandment to provide the basis of a BALANCED approach to ministry involving five major emphases: