Para Ministries

It is our great joy as a church to partner with individuals from within our congregation that have been called to serve outside our church in full time Christian ministry.

What is a “para” ministry?
As a “para” ministry they are not under our church authority, but they have come alongside our church to specialize in a significant area of ministry that is important to us. We recognize that God is doing some great things outside our church with people from our congregation and we want to join them.

What does the para ministry partnership look like?
First of all, a potential participant must meet the criteria that has been established for this program. They will submit an application to our Shepherd Team and meet with them to share more about their story and ministry. A para minister will be given access to church resources, financial support and an ability to promote their ministry within our church.

For more details, please check out the Para Ministry Application.

AGAPE FIRST MINISTRIES

Agape First Ministries was founded in 2019 to help meet the growing need for Biblical Education on matters of sex and gender. We desire to:

EMPOWER the Church to love the LGBTQ+ community boldly,
EQUIP the Church with Biblical truth regarding God’s good design for sexuality
ENCOURAGE the Church to stand for the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Our vision includes seeing the Church equipped to lead the LGBTQ+ community to the healing power of Jesus Christ in a way that feels safe and empowering for the same-sex attracted person. We believe that all homosexual behavior is sin and contrary to God’s good design for human sexuality AND that the cross is enough for all sin. God has made a way through the finished work of the cross for all (the same-sex attracted included) to attain the fullness of healing. God is mighty to save, and He is mighty to sanctify.

Over the past several years, Nate Oyloe, founder of Agape First Ministries, has developed several new curricula for equipping Churches to help the same-sex attracted find wholeness in Christ. He has drawn from my 20 years of experience working with this population as well as what we are now learning from brain science and trauma recovery.

WALK RIGHT IN MINISTRIES

Walk Right In Ministries’ (WRIM) mission is to build faith and community for special needs families and caregivers of all generations.

We are devoted to equipping people for growth and connection in Christ-centered community especially when facing challenges like caring for a loved one with disability, chronic illness, trauma, mental illness, aging related conditions or other special needs. With a focus on family caregivers (e.g., parents, siblings, spouses), WRIM offers education, advocacy, networking and awareness-building services to foster growing faith and friendships.

WRIM recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Since “opening our doors” in November 2008, WRIM has directly servedthousands of people, partnered with hundreds of churches and reached at least 14 countries. While much of our work is focused in Minnesota, countless connections have been made through articles, blogs, event speaking, media interviews, and social media campaigns.

METRO HOPE MINISTRY

Metro Hope Ministry has been around since 1926 and has sought to help men overcome drug and alcohol addiction. We see great value in the influence that men can have on their families and society. To that end, our program focuses on freedom from addiction, healing from past hurts, and developing character. Of course, everything we do centers on the belief that the only way to live a good life (not just a sober one) is to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. A relationship where we know Him and trust that He will give us what we need.

Personally, Carlos Sosa plans to show the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ to anyone that comes through the door. His role there is as an Intake & Case Coordinator but really, he wears many hats there: Intake coordinator, teacher, case coordinator, life & spiritual coach, discipliner, encourager, and sometimes even referee. He plans to stay there as long as God would allow him to. He loves his job and the ministry at Metro Hope.

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES

Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ vision is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. Our mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. As the NW Metro Area Rep, Chris is working with 12 area schools, supporting their staff and students in their campus ministries (huddles). Each school’s huddle is unique to how and how often their student leaders meet. Whether they meet at school or offsite; weekly or monthly, one common thread is their pursuit of growing their personal relationship with Jesus as well as helping to bring others to Christ.

NW Metro Impact:

7 High Schools – Armstrong, Buffalo, Cooper, Orono, Osseo, Rockford, Wayzata
- 11,145 Students
- 592 Coaches
5 Middle Schools – Buffalo, Orono, Osseo, Plymouth, Rockford
- 4,444 Students

Chris is also involved in FCA sports camps and leadership camps and has been coaching a variety of sports, levels and ages for over 30 years. He has been working for FCA since 2020 and believes that his passion for sports ministry and for impacting the lives of our youth uniquely gifts him for this role. Chris loves everything about the mission of FCA and can relate with young students and athletes in a way that connects with their God given passions and abilities.