Luke 8:4–15 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot……

and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew……

and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God……

but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes……

and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away……

14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word……

hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

We can in fact only define a weed, as matter out of place. What we call a weed is in fact merely a plant growing where we do not want it. - E.J. Salisbury, The Living Garden

Vision answers the question: What we want to do?

Mission answers the question: What we’re doing to accomplish it?

Values answers the questions: How we do it right?

We must know which plants we’re trying to grow, so we know which ones we need to remove. It’s called strategy.

Strategy answers the question: How we’re doing it?

Called Luke 5:27–28 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

Taught Luke 13:22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.

Healed Luke 4:40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

Empowered & Sent Luke 9:1–2 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

Vision plants in the now, but is fulfilled the future.

Vision only grows when it’s fertilized and watered.

Vision grows best, when the roots go deep.

Vision: In the next 15 years, our vision is that, every man, woman, boy and girl living in the DL 2 Triangle will hear about Jesus and be touched by His love through someone partnering with Hickory Ridge.

Mission: Connect real people, to a real God, through real relationships.

Values: Following Jesus Praying Effectually Serving Intentionally Living Graciously Strengthening Families Developing Leaders

Strategy: Prepare current & future generations to be visionary leaders & innovative doers.

Create inspiring environments where people connect to God & are moved by His Spirit.

Design dynamic groups for people grow in their faith & purpose in life.

Engage locally & globally as we release people to impact the world & advance His Kingdom.

Strategy: Prepare Create Design Engage

Elders: Apostolic = Lead Pastor Prophetic = Worship Evangelistic = Outreach Shepherding = Discipleship Teaching = Equipping Administrative = Administrative Advisory = Elders

Vision grows best, when the roots go deep.