Our Purpose and Values

Our purpose

Our purpose is to strengthen and equip the body of Christ living under or facing restriction and persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ, and to encourage their involvement in world evangelism by:

• Providing Bibles and literature, media, leadership training, socio-economic development and through intercessory prayer;
• Preparing the body of Christ living in threatened or unstable areas to face persecution and suffering; and
• Educating and mobilising the body of Christ living in the free world to identify with threatened and persecuted Christians and be actively involved in assisting them.

We do so, because we believe that when one member suffers, all members suffer with him (1 Corinthians 12:26), all doors are open and God enables His body to go into all the world and preach the gospel.

Our 7 core values

1. We are: Part of the Body of Christ; a 'people to people' people
   Brother Andrew, inspired by Revelation 3:2: 'Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die', tells us that we are more valued by our physical presence than the ten best sermons we could bring. Simply being there' alongside our fellow persecuted brothers and sisters is the single most important thing we can do.
    
2. 'Persecuted church' driven
   Wherever there are needs to be met, whether that is in a church, school, home or market place, Jesus meets them there, because that is where we can be found working alongside them.
    
3. People of the Bible
   As we read the Bible we see the unfolding picture of God before us and are encouraged to live as his new creations. When we understand who God is and who we are in Him, it completely takes away our fear in any situation or confrontation.
    
4. People of prayer
   We recognise that we are in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-18) and see the power of prayer being a powerful weapon in meeting the needs of others. It is always in relation with reaching out to a lost world with Jesus.
    
5. Living and working by faith
   We believe the door has always been open for the Gospel, because the door has never been closed (Matthew 28:19). We will never lose sight of this fundamental truth. It keeps us outward-focused.
    
6. Devoted to Jesus Christ with His commission
   We want to show the world that there is a different lifestyle available for those in Jesus Christ and to conquer the world as his witnesses to that eternal truth. As the last spoken words of Jesus say in John's Gospel, "You must follow me" (John 21:22). Therefore, we see the outside world as a challenge, never a threat.
    
7. Motivated solely for the glory of God
   Our only motivation should not be for ourselves, but a compassion for the lost, bringing glory to God through His son Jesus Christ.

Our Statement of Faith

Open Doors is an evangelical Christian ministry

Our Trinitarian faith is enshrined and expressed in the historic creeds of the church:

We believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit;
born of the Virgin Mary;
suffered under Pontius Pilate;
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell,
the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
from where He will come to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy Christian Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.

“God invites us to influence our community, our nation, and the world" to literally direct history while we're on our knees.”

Brother Andrew