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Hope for the City

Hope for the City is the biblical counseling ministry of Missio Dei Fellowship. The ministry serves the membership of Missio Dei Fellowship and seeks to serve guests and visitors to Missio Dei Fellowship. We believe that biblical counseling is another word for discipleship. What you hear on Sunday morning is the same as what you will hear in the counseling office. This is a holistic approach to discipleship\counseling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is biblical counseling?

Biblical counseling is committed to the position that Scripture provides the only authoritative guide for what we are to believe and how we are to live (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Biblical Counselor is trained in the use of Scripture and the principles of biblical counseling. He or she does not base his or her counsel on man’s wisdom, opinions, experience, or concepts of behavior, (Isaiah 55:8-11) but seeks to bring the full range of Biblical truth to focus on the person’s need (Hebrews 4:12). At Missio Dei Fellowship we emphasize the importance of change at the heart level by applying the Gospel to the problem (1 Cor. 15:3).

What does biblical counseling deal with?

Biblical counseling deals with the entire range of problems confronting mankind including: broken marriages, parent child relationships, fear, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, tension, anxiety, worry and any other problems that may result in mental and/or physical immobility. In short the biblical counselor is equipped to deal with problems dealing with ourselves, our relationship to God or our fellow man (2 Peter 1:3).

What is the goal of biblical counseling?

The goal of biblical counseling /discipleship is to develop spiritual maturity and help others become more like Christ.

What do the terms “biblical counseling" mean?

Counseling that is biblical draws its meaning from a Greek term “noutheteo” a term that does not have an exact meaning in English. Depending where it is found in the New Testament it is variously translated, admonish (rebuke), warn or instruct (teach). The more literal meaning of “noutheteo” “is to put before the mind.” This means change from the inside out, or in other words: heart change.

How does biblical counseling work?

Biblical Counseling works by applying the Scriptures to particular circumstances and focusing on a “change of heart. The Lord Jesus frequently noted that our biggest problem is our hearts (Luke 6:43-45) while the apostle Paul gives us the fundamental process by which heart change is accomplished (Eph. 4:22-24). This involves discerning thinking and behavior that God wants to change; using God’s Word to change that thinking and behavior for the benefit of the disciple and for the glory of God.

Who should do biblical counseling?

The apostle Paul makes it clear (Rom. 15:4) that any mature Christian trained in the Word should give biblical counseling. This does not mean “untrained” in the use of the Scriptures. We believe that pastors and elders should be competent to give biblical counsel, and this competency should be passed on to the congregation so that they too are willing and able to provide some level of biblical counseling.

Where should biblical counseling/discipleship take place?

Biblical Counseling/discipleship should take place in the local church, David Powlinson from the Christian Counseling Education Foundations gives five reasons that this is so:

1.) In your own church you know people. In other words you know their back story. You know of their struggles and their victories. As a result you can relate at a much higher level than any professional.

2.) At your church your people are not just “problems” in need of a diagnosis. They are new people in Christ with different callings and gifts. Everyone has a role to play in the greater whole. As a member of the same church you can help them in that role by giving wise counsel.

3.) Anyone can learn from anyone else. What this means is that counseling is not about the designated expert meeting with a needy client. It’s all about learning how to apply the gospel to our daily lives and more specifically to the common problems we face. In this way we learn from one another.

4.) You have the opportunity to be transparent as you mutually partake in the means of grace. You are ministering to people you pray with, worship with and bear with one another’s burdens. Your relationship is much closer than an outside “expert” could ever be.

5.) You have the opportunity to ask the big question, such as “what are you living for?” Your theology will drive the counseling, not your psychology. Because your theology should drive your counsel you will be able to give practical solutions to problems and help to hold the person accountable to those solutions.

For more information about Biblical counseling please email us.

Women’s Ministry

This ministry exists to reach out to women for Christ, nurture them in their faith, involve them in ministry by using their spiritual gifts and talents, engage the next generation, and support our local church as we serve and promote its vision & values.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who serves in this Ministry?

If you partake in our events, share our biblical view of womanhood, and promote those values, you ARE part of this ministry!

How do we pursue these goals?

Special Events
Sometimes we have a conference, or a retreat, other times a seasonal event, like Christmas Cookie Exchange, Christmas Advent, or Mother’s Day. It just depends what we plan for that year. One thing to remember is that we don’t have many of these so when we do, we highly encourage you to attend!

Life on Life Discipleship
These are ongoing mentoring relationships. We follow the model laid out in Titus 2: older and younger women pursuing Christ-likeness alongside one another, and giving glory to God in the roles He has assigned to us.

Worship Arts Ministry

Our mission is to encourage and admonish our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ through the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and to lead them in thankful and emotionally-honest praise of God, in the Spirit and in truth. We function to support the preaching of God’s Word, in discipling the Body to know more of Christ and to fear Him.

This ministry is comprised of musicians, fine artists, sound engineers, photographers, and videographers. We believe art is a unique gift from God, that should be inspired and compelled by the Word of God and the propagation of His gospel.

To be a worship arts leader is a profound gift. For the musician: it is the position of standing before the redeemed and the lost alike, and leading corporate song, which in itself is an act of rebellion against the doctrine of this age. As a leader, you are imploring your flock to leave their earthly cares, and join in joyful, yet fearful, praise of God. You are also reminding them, or perhaps teaching them, truth that prepares them to sit (with all reverence and humility) under the preaching of God’s Word, so that by His Word and the Holy Spirit’s power, they will mature in Christlikeness.

Our artists support the vision and values of our church. In an age that is so consumed by information and instant gratification, these skilled artists and engineers function within the world of information-overload and social media. Lies and immorality are spoon-fed to us daily via all media platforms. It is our conviction to do battle with this age by spreading God’s truth. We produce graphics and videos designed to draw the consumer in, and point them to the eternal joy that can only be achieved through Christ our Lord. We believe that social media can be a missional platform to introduce the lost (and those who are not plugged into a local church) to Missio Dei.

If you are skilled in any of these arts, if you want to be trained, or if you would like to learn more, please email us.

Missio Dei Kids

Our Mission is that the children of Missio Dei would have deep confidence rooted in the character of God so that they would passionately follow Him, love Him, and serve Him. Our hope is to partner with parents in the discipleship of their children by providing environments, curriculum, and resources that center on the Gospel and teach the nature, character, and promises of God.

Our approach is simple. Each week we desire the children to grow in their trust for God by seeing more of His glorious promises. In the context of small classrooms, lead by caring teachers, they will spend time worshiping and learning through story, creation, and interaction, as they are encouraged to think, speak, and ask. The goal of each teacher is to help your child love all of the promises of God that have been purchased through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If you are interested in serving as a teacher or a teacher’s assistant, or you would like to know more about Missio Dei Kids, please email us.

Membership

Membership in a church is not something to be entered into lightly. Though often overlooked, there are weighty commitments taken when a person is brought into membership. It is first an affirmation that you are not designed to function alone as a Christian; rather, you were saved and are part of the Body of Christ, the Church. Second, it is acknowledging that you are willfully placing yourself in a position to follow and submit to a particular group of church leaders. You see that they are given the task to give watch over your soul (Hebrews 13:17). Third, it is acknowledging that this is where you will exercise the gifts given to you by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up others. And finally, it is acknowledging that this is where you will exercise mutual care for one another’s souls, seeking to build up one another in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:23-25).

Becoming a member at Missio Dei Fellowship is a simple, yet thorough process:

Attend a Values & Vision class.

During this class, one of our leaders will relay our mission, core beliefs, membership expectations, and why you should join a church. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Missio Dei's beliefs, vision, and methodology. If you register for this class, you're certainly not obligated to then become a member but it is mandatory to attend this class if you desire to become one.

Affirm our Statement of Faith and Covenant and complete an application for membership.

If you're ready to commit, you'll read and sign the statement of faith and church covenant and submit an application to the pastors. The application is an important step to help us get to know you and your story.

Membership Interview with a Pastor

During this meeting, you'll meet with at least one pastor to recount your story of how God has redeemed and is renewing you. This will be another opportunity to ask any question you may have. It is also where you will have a chance to share how might be able to serve.

Officially Join Our Membership

On a Sunday, you'll officially covenant with us (and we with you) and join us as we seek to know Christ and make Him known in all the cracks and crevices of Missio Dei Fellowship and all the way around the globe.

For more information on membership, please email us.

Community Groups

Christians are called and created to function together. This fellowship is vital to the unity and spiritual growth of the Church, and thus the growth of the individual Christian. This ministry is the central means of working out this vision. Each week we gather together as small groups in the intimacy of each other’s homes. We share meals with one other, study the Bible together, pray together, laugh together, weep together, reach out to our neighborhoods together, and care for one another when there is need. In this age, we have “relationships” at our finger-tips so easily, yet so often we are lonely. God calls us to know Him, and also call one another to know Him. This produces deep, lasting relationships and unity to the glory of God. This ministry exists for the members of the church, and those on the path to membership, although guests are welcome as they explore our church. For more information on our Community Groups, please email us.

Coffee with the Pastor

This is a great first step for anyone who is new to the church and wants to receive more information. This time is informal and simply serves as an opportunity for you to get to know the pastor of the church as well as hear about the church’s history, beliefs, and vision.

When: The first Sunday of every other month at 6:00 pm
Where: Pastor Matt Henry’s home (6113 11th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53143)

Follow our Facebook event page to RSVP and get up-to-date information.