Our Vision is People!
Preaching to People, by communicating God’s Word we offer the promise of a new life in Christ.
Pastoring People through our family style ministries we strive to make each person aware of how loved and valued they are.
Preparing People through our system of discipleship and training courses we are equipping believers to fulfill their unique personal calling.
Planting People! Our goal is to reach our city, nation, and the nations of the earth, by mobilizing teams of people to go and fulfill the Great Commission.
THE ANTIOCH PRINCIPLE
The Threefold Purpose of the Church
The Evangelism and
Saturation of the World with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
The first purpose of the church is to reach the lost around the Williston area
and then the world with the gospel message of salvation by faith in the Name of
the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt.28:19; Mark
16:15; Like 24:47 & 48; John 20:21 and Acts 1:8).
The Edification
and Strengthening of Believers
Since God desires the church to influence the world for Christ, the men and
women of the church must undergo changes from their former lifestyles to
lifestyles and characters that reflect the glory of God. To facilitate this, God
has ordained that the church be His instrument of perfecting and equipping the
saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians
4:7-17).
The Glorification
and Satisfaction of God
The final purpose of the church is to glorify and satisfy God. Man's redemption
and perfection in Christ makes possible the fulfillment of God's plan for His
own glory. The church exists to exalt, satisfy and praise God (Ephesians
3:21).
Our Philosophy of Ministry:
The Unique Purpose and Character of the
Antioch Church
It was a Disciplined Church (Acts 11:29). The believers there were known as disciples, meaning they were disciplined learners and followers of Jesus Christ.
It was a Grace Filled-Church (Acts 11:23). When Barnabas was sent to observe their faith, he encountered a strong grace upon all of them.
It was a Benevolent Church (Acts 11:29-30). When Jerusalem was hit by famine, Antioch responded with relief.
It was a Charismatic Church (Acts 13:1-2). The Holy Spirit was freely moving and speaking in the church at Antioch.
It was an Integrated Church (Acts 13:1). Barnabas was a Jew and a Levite. Simeon (literally "black") was likely a black man. Lucius, probably a Gentile, was from the African colony of Cyrene. Manaen was from the privileged levels of society, having a close childhood connection with Herod the Tetrarch. Saul was a former Jew Pharisee who was highly educated, and who grew up in a strongly Gentile environment. Yet, all of these men, who were racially and socially different, were counted among the same company of prophets and teachers.
It was a Gifted Church (Acts 13:1). There were men in residence at Antioch who possessed pronounced and recognized ministries, such as prophets, elders, teachers and disciples, apostles and evangelists.
It was a Teaching Church (Acts 11:26; 13:1). Paul and Barnabas taught the church for a period of one whole year, strengthening the believers in the Word of God. We also notice that among the pronounced ministries there, other teachers were present and active.
It was a Prophetic Church (Acts 13:1). Clearly the church of Antioch was a church staffed and led by the prophets. They listened to the prophets who forecasted famine (Acts 11:27-30), and they listened to the prophets in the selection of Paul and Barnabas.
It was a Worshipping Church (Acts 13:2). When the Christians at Antioch gathered together, their first activity was to minister to the Lord. The people depicted in Acts 13 appear determined to worship God, allowing the prophetic and evangelistic vision to be birthed in that experience.
It was a Praying Church (Acts 13:2). The people prayed and fasted until they heard from God. Their missionary activity was born in a prayer meeting.
It was a Structured Church (Acts 13:2-3), for we see the presidency of the Holy Spirit initiating, directing and speaking to a people who followed and understood spiritual authority.
It was an Imparting Church (Acts: 13:3). Before Paul and Barnabas were sent from Antioch, fasting, prayer and the laying on of hands were employed in order to impart strength to them.
It was an Apostolic Church (Acts 13:3). From this single congregation of Christians came the most dynamic churches of the ancient world. The life and power of Antioch was not held in Antioch, but was constantly exported through wave after wave of apostolic teams who would affect their world.
The Antioch Principle: The church at Antioch grew by means of trans-local reproduction, not mere local addition. It did not experience such great influence because it desired to establish a single, localized ministry. This is the Antioch Principle.
The Purpose of the “Word Training Center”:
"We are called to participate in the evangelism of the world, edify and strengthen believers, and bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ in a manner patterned after the New Testament church at Antioch."
Our History:
In 1995, Pastors Randy & Marion Mattern pioneered the “Word Training Center” and became the senior pastors of the Word Training Center, in Williston, North Dakota. In 1999 the church went under the covering of E.A.C.M. (Evangel Association of Churches and Ministers). Under the Apostleship of Dr’s Jerry and Sherill Piscopo EACM has grown to over 500 churches and Para churches under their covering. EACM is serving the body of Christ worldwide, building, training, strengthening and establishing churches and leaders. Evangel also has a Bible College. The prayer covering under EACM is a strength for others and us in smaller churches.
During the past few years, the church has prospered. In 2002 the Church building was totally given to us. We have been renovated the property by painting and carpeting the sanctuary. The remodeling continues as the finances permit. The congregation has really pulled together to finance and do the labor for the work.
This has helped us to take some steps closer to what God’s vision is for this area and areas around Williston.