God has given us a vision for the future of West End Baptist Church and the town of Westbury.
- A picture of the town flooded by a great fountain at West End: God’s desire is to flood the town with his presence.
- The church building minus the walls: a challenge to be a church without barriers.
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
- Isaiah 43:18-19
What is a church without barriers?
It is a church where divisions have been removed; metaphorical walls between:
- church members
- other churches
- the church and the association
- family members and God
- the church and the rest of the world
It is a church that is open to
- the leading of God’s Spirit
- discipleship
- participating in God’s ‘New Thing’
- the very presence of God
How can this be achieved?
- Saturate the ‘ground’ with His presence
- Absolutely surrendering to Christ in everything
- Walking out in His presence
Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and the water was coming out on the south side. Going on eastward with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee deep.Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, “Mortal, have you seen this?"
- Ezekiel 47:1-12