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Ewalu's
Mission Statement It wasn’t easy. Ask anyone on the Strategic Planning Task Force. While meaning and purpose might be expressed easily given unlimited words and pages, expressing the same in a succinct, “easily memorized” sentence is hard work. The hard work has been done and the result is a statement that not only captures the present and future direction of the ministry of Ewalu, but is also descriptive of its entire 40-year history. Here it is. In the rhythm of the Christian Life, Ewalu serves as a place apart, to connect the Word of God with the world of God. Jesus set the example -- the rhythm of work and rest, the rhythm of ministry and
renewal, the rhythm of care-giving followed by self-care -- and for that rest, renewal and
self-care he chose “the place apart.” He chose a quiet place -- the mountain,
the desert, the wilderness, the garden -- to pray to God, to listen to God and be guided
by God. He knew he needed that place and that “space” to be spiritually and
physically prepared for the ministry that lay ahead. |
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We are all called to the ministry
of Jesus Christ and into the rhythm of the Christian life. Jesus sent his disciples out
“two by two” (Mark 6:7). When they returned filled with stories of “all
they had done and taught,” Jesus’ first words to them (even in the midst of
their enthusiasm) were, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest
awhile.” (Mark 6:30-31a) The “place apart” is the place you choose for your personal or family prayer and devotions. The place apart is the sanctuary where we gather with other Christians each Sunday. And Ewalu is the place apart -- the place away from computers, stereos, televisions and telephones. In the quiet “sanctuary” of Ewalu -- away from all the noise and distractions of our daily lives -- one is able to hear things one doesn’t ordinarily hear and see things that one doesn’t ordinarily notice. All of one’s senses become more acute -- including one's sense of the spiritual. We become more 'tuned in' to the presence of God -- the presence of God in nature, the presence of God in other people, the presence of God in ourselves and in the presence of God in a supportive Christian community. An operative word in the new mission statement is the word “serves.” In the rhythm of the Christian life, Ewalu serves as a place apart . . . . The ministry of Ewalu exists to serve and enhance the ministries of congregations and to serve our communities and the larger church. Finally, it is always our mission to connect the Word of God with the world of God. What we see and say and do in the ministry of Ewalu not only teaches faith in God, but also connects our faith to how we live out our Christian lives in God’s world. Connecting our faith to daily life includes our environment, our homes, schools and communities, urban and rural -- and our relationship to other people and cultures in the global community. Our faith, nurtured in the Word of God, connects us to the world of God as servants and as instruments of God’s peace. In the rhythm of the Christian life, Ewalu serves as a place apart, to connect the Word of God with the world of God. The statement is new, but the mission is old -- it has been the strength of this ministry from the beginning. We invite you -- always -- to come and spend some time here in this place apart. Dale Goodman, Executive Director |