Core Values
The Branch Student Ministry has five core values: The Truth, the Change, the Family, the Hands, and the World. The purpose of these values isn't to serve as a exhaustive assertion of what we believe theologically. Rather the purpose is that these values create a goal and structure around which we try to model all of our ministry efforts.
The Truth Jesus once said to a group of Jewish believers, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." For some, Truth is a suspicious concept which often falls prey to some ruthless leader who seeks nothing more than to manipulate and control those who follow him. For others, Truth is a subjective concept which can never have a single definition - everyone can have his/her own definition of Truth. And somehow, if it's right for them, then it's right. For the follower of Christ, however, Truth is quite simple. It is the Word of God. At the Branch, we hold that the Bible is infallible and stands as God's self-revelation to humanity - it is the Truth. Furthermore, it is the most important source of authority regarding matters of faith and practice and life. Despite its old age, we further believe that it is absolutely as relevant today as it was when God authored it through the pens of men and women in different cultures and different times - for human nature does not change. Yet, as Jesus asserts in the quote above, when a person adheres to His teachings, something happens. Not only does he acquire knowledge of the Truth. But he finds something in its consistent application that nothing in this world can give him. He finds freedom.
The Change Paul writes to the Romans, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The greatest and most irrefutable evidence that a person has had an encounter with God - and continues and do so - is change. You can't argue with change. It's one thing if someone says, "God changed my life" and yet there is no lasting fruit of that apparent event. It's quite another if their words match their actions and you begin to realize that the person you once knew no longer exists. They died and got replaced with someone better. And again. And again. The paradigm of a real, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ is change, or to use a Christian word, transformation. Throughout the New Testament, the word SALVATION pops up repeatedly. In modern Christianity, this term has lost its original shimmer and has come to represent an event where a person prays a prayer or walks down an aisle to the pastor or "accepts Jesus into his heart". Biblically, salvation isn't a onetime deal. Rather, it is a process. It has a beginning - justification. It has a middle - sanctification. And it has an end - glorification. Most of us are in the middle part, where the Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus daily by convicting us of sin, giving us the ability to overcome its effects in our lives, and allowing us to enjoy the presence of God. At the Branch, we're not concerned with formalities and double-talk that veil a superficial connection to God. We're only concerned about the type of relationship with God that brings about real change.
The Family In the book of Acts, Luke writes, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." The "they" Luke is writing about here is Christians. Sometimes, people tend to think of faith as being a very personal matter, and something that is never public. However, the Bible makes it clear that Christians are called to live life together, not as some judgmental group of self-righteous do-gooders who constantly call attention to the screw-ups of others (and never themselves). Instead, the Children of God are supposed to be...well...family. Loving each other. Looking out for each other. Helping each other. Gently correcting each other. Making sacrifices for the benefit of others. And above all, proclaiming to the world not only the existence of God, but his love and redemptive plan for mankind - their love amongst each other serving as the evidence. At the Branch, we want students to come, regardless of their past or present. We desire for students to find love, acceptance, and accountability here. And prayerfully, in our love, they will find the love of God as well.
The Hands On the night that he was arrested, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Afterward, He said, "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." When the disciples first encountered Jesus, they supposed that He would one day be a military or political leader who would deliver Israel from Roman oppression. They never thought they were following a man who would serve the world through His death - offering salvation to any who would believe. The call of a Christian is not to stick around church 24-7, singing in holy huddles and praying for folks he never wants to meet. His call is to be like Jesus and become a servant! Get his hands dirty! At the Branch, we take service seriously and give our students regular opportunities to serve the needs of those who need help. Whether it's cutting and edging a yard, helping out at the Houston Food Bank, or just learning how to sacrifice for a friend, we take seriously Christ's call to "become a servant". For it is in serving and sacrificing for others that the true definition of love comes to life.
The World The Great Commission (Matthew 28), among numerous other passages of scripture, makes it clear that it is the obligation of every Christian to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who have yet to hear or see it. This obligation has unfortunately manifested in impersonal, calculated methodologies crafted by "experts" in order to teach people how to share their faith. The truth is: for those Christians who truly know and love God and have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, they can't help but share the Gospel. It's the natural, consequential outflow of the relationship with God that consumes them! They don't have to learn anything. It's already there. At the Branch, we desire to help students to be bold and unashamed about the love, joy, and peace that they have found in Jesus Christ. And when other students see this possession, they will want it, too. It's like a good sale - you tell everyone you know about the great deals you've found. How much more the love of Christ?! We are not ashamed. Here, our desire is for the greatest witness to be the outward action and inward transformation that needs no words or explanation beyond a simple name - "Jesus".
