Shepherd's Heart Christian Fellowship began in 1992 when Pastor Tim Baker was sent out by the Home Church in Campbell, California after serving there as an assistant pastor for over seven years. Tim, his wife Lynn, and their four children were soon joined by six other couples already living in the Sacramento area who were looking for a church.
The mission of the church is also known as the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:16-20:
"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given unto Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the ages.'"
This promise and command of Jesus involves ministering to other nations, baptism, teaching, obedience, and our Lord's continual presence and power (authority). Therefore, since its beginning, the church has supported missionaries, performed baptisms, taught the Scriptures as the Word of God, emphasized obedience, lived out prayer and dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Two years after the church started, several people were impressed by the Lord to raise up elders and deacons and to name the church. Four elders and one deacon were put forth and anointed. The congregation was asked to pray and to submit possible names for the church. Amazingly, each name submitted contained the word "shepherd" in it. These were voted upon and the overwhelming majority selected "Shepherd's Heart Christian Fellowship". This was supported by an Old Testament "Great Commission" prophesy:
"And I will give you shepherds according to mine heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." Jeremiah 3:15
The church now has five elders and five deacons, which oversee its many ministries. In addition, there are seven missionaries supported by the church. We hope to raise up more staff from within our fellowship as the church grows, increase our support of missionaries, send out missionaries from within our church, and plant other local churches. At the same time, we are committed to God's will and timing in all these areas.
Our commitment is to fulfill the Great Commission and prepare ourselves for the return of our beloved Lord by focusing on the areas given by the Holy Spirit to the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 4:7-11:
"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
All the ministries seek to emphasize, train, and implement these four areas: prayer, love, hospitality, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In this way, we desire to please God and to glorify Him in our world.
| Jesus and the Lamb by Katherine Brown. |
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