By God’s mercy, Sovereign Grace Ministry’s mission and motive have remained largely unchanged for many years. We believe God has directed us primarily to plant and build local churches to His glory. Motivated by grace, we seek to do everything with that ultimate goal in mind, continually petitioning Him for wisdom and strength. We come to this task with a marked sense of inadequacy, yet with confidence in God’s direction and sovereignty. Over the years, God has taught us that strong local churches are those that emphasize sound doctrine centered on the Cross and the glory of God, biblical leadership, and close relationships. We want all that takes place — in our hearts, in the churches we serve, and in the resources we provide — to proceed from and be related to Christ’s finished work on the Cross.

Of course, there are no new ideas here. We have merely attempted to apply Scripture, and in that effort have benefited immeasurably from the insights and experiences of countless friends and forbears in the faith. These truths apply with equal effectiveness in every nation; Scripture was written for all men for all time. Strong local churches look and sound different from one culture to another, but how they build, and the fruit they produce, is the same in all essential respects.

Our mission and motive is also carried out through the conferences we host and the products we produce. From the Sovereign Grace Ministry’s Pastors College and our many conferences to the New Attitude youth ministry — and including our praise & worship products, books, teaching tapes, and ministry magazine — everything is a testimony to God’s grace and mercy in this small family of churches.

In sum, our collective mission of proclaiming God’s grace, developing local churches, and influencing our world with the gospel continues to enjoy the blessing and direction of God. We are aware of our sinfulness and inadequacies, and acknowledge that in ourselves we are unworthy to contribute to the building of his church. But in his mercy God has chosen to use us in some small way, and that is a continual source of wonder to us all. As you read the material in this visitor packet, may you be primarily aware of the Sovereign One who grants all good things by his grace, and may all your praise be directed exclusively to him.

CJ Mahaney
for the SGM Leadership Team