One Heart International Mission (One Heart) affirms the Bible as the authoritative word of God and, with the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, the absolute reference point for every aspect of life and ministry. Based upon God’s word, who He is, and His initiative of salvation through the atoning work of Jesus (His death, burial, and resurrection), the following responses are strongly emphasized in One Heart:
Worship: We are called to praise and worship God alone.
Holiness: We are called to lead holy and righteous lives that exemplify the nature and character of God.
Witness: We are called to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him.
Prayer: We are called to engage in intercessory prayer for the people and causes on God’s heart, including standing against evil in every form.
Fellowship: We are called to commit to the Church in both its local nurturing expression and its mobile multiplying expression.
The Foundational Values of One Heart are the expression of our basic beliefs coupled with Biblical directives given by God since One Heart’s beginning in 2010. They are recorded here in order to pass on to successive generations that which God, through His Word, has emphasized to us.
These shared beliefs and values are the guiding principles for the future growth of our mission. Some are common to all Christians everywhere; others are distinctive to One Heart.
The combination of these beliefs and values make up the unique family characteristics of One Heart—our “DNA.” They are values we hold in high regard which determine who we are, how we live and how we make decisions.
1. Know God
One Heart is committed to know God, His nature, His character and His ways. We seek to reflect who He is in every aspect of our lives and ministry. The automatic overflow of knowing and enjoying fellowship with God is a desire to share Him with others.
2. Make God known
One Heart is called to make God known in every arena of society through evangelism, training and mercy ministries. We believe that salvation of souls should result in transformation of societies, thus obeying Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations. Our desire is for communities and individuals to acknowledge God in all their ways.
3. Hear God’s voice
One Heart is committed to creating with God through listening to Him, praying His prayers and obeying His commands in matters great and small. We are dependent upon hearing His voice as individuals, together in team contexts and in larger corporate gatherings as an integral part of our process for decision making.
4. Practice worship and intercessory prayer
One Heart is dedicated to worship Jesus and engage in intercessory prayer as integral aspects of daily life. We also recognize the intent of Satan to destroy the work of God and we call upon God’s power and the Holy Spirit to overcome his strategies in the lives of individuals and in the affairs of nations.
5. Be visionary
One Heart is called to be visionary, continually receiving, nurturing and releasing fresh vision from God. We support the pioneering of new ministries and methods, always willing to be radical in order to be relevant to every generation, people group, and sphere of society. We believe that the apostolic call of OHIM needs to always be centered on the Word of God.
6. Champion people
One Heart is called to champion people. We believe God has gifted and called people of every nation, tribe and race to spearhead vision and ministry. We are committed to value them, trust them, train them, support them, make space for them and release them.
7. Be international and interdenominational
One Heart is international and interdenominational in its global scope as well as its local constituency. We believe that ethnic, linguistic and denominational diversity, along with redeemed aspects of culture, are positive factors that contribute to the health and growth of the mission.
8. Have a biblical Christian worldview
One Heart is called to a biblical Christian worldview. We believe that the Bible makes a clear division between good and evil; right and wrong. The practical dimensions of life are no less spiritual than the ministry expressions. Everything done in obedience to God is spiritual. We seek to honor God with all that we do, equipping and mobilizing men and women of God to take roles of service and influence in every arena of society. We acknowledge that believers are called by God to make a difference in their places of work, understanding that they are not working for man but for God.
9. Function in teams
One Heart is called to function in teams in all aspects of ministry and leadership. We believe that a combination of complementary gifts, callings, perspectives, ministries and generations working together in unity at all levels of our mission provides wisdom and safety and portrays our One Heart to the world. Seeking God’s will and making decisions in a team context allows accountability and contributes to greater relationship, motivation, responsibility and ownership of the vision. Our oneness is highly emphasized and a spirit of humility and non competitiveness stressed in all One Heart activities.
10. Exhibit servant leadership
One Heart is called to servant leadership as a lifestyle, rather than a leadership hierarchy. A servant leader is one who honors the gifts and callings of those under his/her care and guards their rights and privileges. Just as Jesus served His disciples, we stress the importance of those with leadership responsibilities serving those whom they lead. We acknowledge others and place them and their needs above our own.
11. Do first, then teach
One Heart is committed to doing first, then teaching. We believe that firsthand experience gives authority to our words. Godly character and a call from God are more important than an individual’s gifts, abilities and expertise.
12. Be relationship-oriented
One Heart is dedicated to being relationship-oriented in our living and working together. We desire to be united through lives of holiness, mutual support, transparency, humility, and open communication, rather than a dependence on structures or rules.
13. Value the individual
One Heart is called to value each individual. We believe in equal opportunity and justice for all. Created in the image of God, people of all nationalities, ages and functions have distinctive contributions and callings. We are committed to honoring God-given leadership and ministry gifts in both men and women. We value having fun but never at the expense of other individuals.
14. Value families
One Heart affirms the importance of families serving God together in missions, not just the father and/or mother. We encourage the development of strong and healthy family units, with each member sharing the call to missions and contributing their gifts in unique and complementary ways.
15. Practice dependence on God
One Heart is called to practice a life of dependence upon God for financial provision. As God has been generous toward us, so we desire to be generous. OHIMers give themselves, their time and talents to God through the mission with no expectation of remuneration.
16. Practice hospitality
One Heart affirms the ministry of hospitality as an expression of God’s character and the value of people. We believe it is important to open our hearts, homes and campuses to serve and honor one another, our guests and the poor and needy, not as acts of social protocol, but as expressions of generosity.
17. Communicate with integrity
One Heart affirms that everything exists because God communicates. Therefore, OHIM is committed to truthful, accurate, timely and relevant communication. We believe good communication is essential for strong relationships, healthy families and communities, and effective ministry.