In 2019, we put a lot of work into revising our mission statement and articulating our core values. We thought this summer might be a good time to share that work with you again. Our mission hasn’t changed. We’re still doing the same work that John and Helen Coatney started back in 1977. We’re always looking for better ways to describe it though, and here’s what we came up with.
Our mission is to impact middle school students by equipping passionate, faithful mentors to help those students discover their identity and purpose in Christ.
This expression is important to us because it better encompasses all that we do. We’re all about reaching middle school students, but we are passionate about equipping and empowering leaders in the process. And our mission is not simply to serve students while they’re in middle school, but to equip and mobilize them for a lifetime of service in their communities – hopefully serving with YOKE somewhere in the process.
Our core values, on the other hand, describe how we go about that mission. They define who we are as an organization. They are those deeply held beliefs and principles that give us guidance for decision making and action.
This month we’re featuring our core values on YOKE Talk, our weekly podcast. Each week we’re taking a deeper look at a value and having conversations with our guests about how they’ve experienced that particular value as part of the YOKE Family. Make sure you check it out!
At YOKE We Value:
Community: We are committed to building a loving, accepting community through intentional relationships. “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News, but our own lives, too.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
Collaboration: We are committed to working together with strategic partners. “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)
Leadership Development: We are committed to equipping and empowering the next generation of servant leaders. “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2)
Stewardship: We are committed to being faithful stewards of all the resources entrusted to us. “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance.” (Matthew 25:29)
Fun and Adventure: We are committed to providing engaging opportunities for laughter, new challenges, and personal growth. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)