FA Memphis Connection: How Do We Seek, Save, and Send in the 901?

We seek by meeting neighbors in Cordova, Bartlett, and Arlington exactly where they are. We save by sharing the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope of Spirit-filled living. We send by equipping you to be a missionary in your own neighborhood and across the globe.

The heart of God beats for the 901. Whether you are driving down Germantown Parkway, walking the trails in Bartlett, or raising a family in the quiet neighborhoods of Arlington, God is actively looking for you. He doesn't just wait for us to show up; He pursues us with a love that won't let go.

At First Assembly Memphis, we are aligning our local heartbeat with the national Assemblies of God vision: Seek, Save, and Send. This isn't just a corporate slogan for U.S. Missions; it is a biblical mandate that transforms how we treat our neighbors, how we pray for our city, and how we reach the world through Boundless Online Church.

What Does It Mean to "Seek" in the 901?

The "Seek" part of our mission is about intentionality. Jesus said in Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Seeking means we don't just stay behind our four walls waiting for people to walk in. It means we go where the people are.

In the 901, seeking looks like:

• Showing up at the Bartlett YMCA to support local families.

• Partnering with organizations like Youth Villages to support children in crisis.

• Checking in on the single mom in Cordova who is juggling three jobs.

• Offering a place of belonging for families with special needs through local disability networks.

Seeking is about noticing the person everyone else overlooks. It’s about being the "hands and feet" in the grocery store line or the school carpool lane. When we seek, we are acknowledging that every person in Shelby County is a priceless child of God.

Definition Block: Repentance

Repentance is a sincere turning away from sin and a turning toward God. It is more than just feeling sorry; it is a change of mind and heart that leads to a change in direction, made possible by the grace of God.

What Does It Mean to "Save" in Our Community?

While we can provide food, clothing, and support, only Jesus can save. In the Assemblies of God tradition, we believe that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith in Christ. But "saving" in a missions context also means enabling the work of the Gospel.

When we talk about "Saving" in Cordova or Arlington, we are talking about:

1. Gospel Clarity: We preach a message that isn't watered down. We talk about sin because we know the cure is so much better.

2. Spirit-Empowered Hope: We believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This isn't just for "super-Christians"; it's the power every believer needs to live a holy, victorious life in a chaotic world.

3. Divine Healing: We pray for the sick. Whether it’s a physical ailment or a mental health struggle, we believe God still heals today.

In our local context, "Saving" happens when a father in Bartlett finds freedom from addiction through the power of the Spirit, or when a teenager in Arlington realizes their identity isn't found in social media likes but in the love of Christ.

Definition Block: Salvation

Salvation is the deliverance from the power and penalty of sin through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a free gift of grace, received by faith, which brings a person into a right relationship with God.

What Does It Mean to "Send" from Memphis?

The mission doesn't end with a "sinner’s prayer." It begins there. To "Send" means we are a launching pad. We don't just want to grow a big church; we want to grow big people who take the Kingdom of God wherever they go.

At FA Memphis, we send in two primary ways:

• Locally: We equip you to be a "missionary" in your workplace, your gym, and your neighborhood. We provide resources for family devotionals and small groups that help you grow deep roots so you can reach high for others.

• Globally: Through Boundless Online Church, we are sending the Gospel to people who are isolated, homebound, or living in places where a healthy local church isn't accessible. We are a local church with a global heartbeat.

Common Misconceptions About Missions

Many people hear the word "missions" and think of a remote village in a far-off country. While we love and support global missions, we must realize that the 901 is a mission field.

Misconception	Biblical Reality
Missions is only for professionals.	Every believer is called to be a witness (Acts 1:8).
You have to travel far to be a missionary.	Your mission field starts at your front door.
Missions is just about "handouts."	True missions meets the physical and spiritual needs.
You have to be perfect to serve.	God uses broken people to reach broken people.

Practical Ways to Seek, Save, and Send This Week

You don't need a degree in theology to start living on mission. Here are five practical ways to start today:

1. Pray Specifically: Pick a street in your neighborhood (Cordova, Bartlett, or Arlington) and pray for every house on it this week.

2. Listen First: Next time you're at the park or a coffee shop, ask someone how they are really doing. You’d be surprised how many people are waiting for someone to "seek" them out.

3. Share Your Story: You don't have to have all the answers. Just tell someone what Jesus has done for you. That is the essence of the "Save" mission.

4. Support Local Mercy: Check our events page for upcoming outreach opportunities or food drives.

5. Go Digital: Share a link from Boundless or our blog with a friend who is struggling. You are "sending" hope with one click.

Definition Block: Discipleship

Discipleship is the lifelong process of following Jesus, being transformed by His Spirit, and learning to obey His commands. It involves growing in faith within a community of believers and helping others do the same.

A Community That Cares

We know that life in the 901 can be busy. Between work, school, and sports, it’s easy to feel like you’re just running a race. But we believe there is a deeper rhythm available to you. When you align your life with God's mission to seek, save, and send, your daily routine takes on eternal significance.

Whether you join us for a Wednesday night meal or connect with us from across the ocean via our online campus, you are part of a family that is committed to seeing our city and our world transformed by the Gospel.

Will you take one step this week to seek, save, or send?

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Want to go deeper?

If you're in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or the 901, we would love to welcome you in person to experience community and worship: 🌐 www.famemphis.org

If you're outside our area or unable to attend locally, join our global digital discipleship community at Boundless Online Church: 🌐 www.boundlessonlinechurch.org

Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)