The Name New Canaan refers to a new reflection of the Promised Land. The Israelites, under the direction of Moses, represent a type of the Church. In the wilderness, God instituted three sacrificial observances: Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacle. Until now, the majority of the Church world has only experienced Passover. Many under the so-called charismatic movement are walking into Pentecost. But Gods perfect plan is for us to move all the way into Tabernacle. The family of New Canaan is a new generation of people with a fresh Anointing. God has declared, Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?... (Isa.43:18-19).
God has set for this vision in His Word. All the precepts, principles and commandments of Gods Word is His Vision for His people. He has instructed us to go into all the world, preach the Gospel, make disciples and teach people to observe all the things that He commanded. Therefore, our vision is to see a church maturing, growing and centered around the Word of God, edifying and perfecting the Body. We aspire to be recognized as a church that is Bible Fed and Bible Led.
The denominational church world as a whole has suffered many years of traditional teaching which has stifled its growth in God and His Word. The Word has been of none effect in our lives because we have tried to see God through our traditions (Mk. 7:9,13), but we thank God that the scales have come off our eyes. We know now that the Lordship of Jesus Christ transcends all denominational boundaries.
I believe that the mission of this Spirit-filled Baptist Church is to not only reach this lost world with the Gospel, but to reach our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord who have been blinded by tradition as we were. Our desire is to see other denominational churches, particularly Baptist, come into the knowledge of Gods Word and the fullness of His Spirit. God loves all of His people and He has called us to love one another. Jesus prayed in Jn. 17:5, that they may be one. Our vision is to build bridges in the Body of Christ that we may come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. Eph. 4:13. Our desire is to bring unity, not division and isolation.
As Baptist, we have pursued and argued our doctrinal position for years on water baptism and the correct method. Yet, we have ignored the Lords baptism with fire which is the missing ingredient. We see New Canaan International Church as a combination of the baptism with water (which represents the New Birth) and the fire (the infilling or baptism with the Holy Ghost, Mt. 3:11). Israels passage through the Red Sea represented water baptism. The passage through Jordan represented the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, the Power of God will be manifested.
And finally, it is our vision, mission and goal to see every believer in this local assembly, matured, prepared and equipped to share the Gospel with power and authority, to heal the brokenhearted, to bring deliverance to the captives and to set at liberty them that are bruised. Eph 4:12; Lk. 4:18. Isa. 61:1.
