Lead Pastor/Planter - Aaron Cockrum
I walked in denial of God for the first 40 years of my life. What I didn't realize was that God was setting up an incredible plan of redemption through the men and women of a recently revitalized church in Greenwood, MO. He opened my eyes to the truth that I had fought so hard against for so many years. The church finally did what no one else ever had. They took God's word to His people and loved on us with the hearts of grace-filled forgiven sinners. I believe the power of the gospel is greater than any sin, but those who never hear it don't stand a chance. This passion for the gospel has led me to step faithfully forward with my family, leaving everything we have ever known in order to plant our lives in Hooksett, New Hampshire. I believe God is doing an amazing work and calling for workers to reveal His plan of salvation. In the words of Isaiah when God asked, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?", I have faithfully answered, "Here I am, send me!"
We believe that God's plan for His church is the vision for our church, and that vision begins with an evangelism strategy. Fellowship Church - Granite State believes that all people are created on purpose and for a great purpose; to have a right relationship with God. For one to have a right relationship with Him, they must know Him. This vision has led our church to fulfill these dreams within our community. We dream of being a place where families can come to know the truth of who God is and what He has done for them. We believe the church is not just a building for those who believe; it is a vessel to reach those who do not yet believe. (Matthew 5:16).
We dream of being a church that is more than just a building in a community. We believe that relationships are vital, and as such, we want to build relationships within the city of Hooksett. It begins in our own neighborhoods and spreads throughout the community. We dream of building relationships that seek the good of the city.
(Jeremiah 29:7).
We dream of the day when all people in Hooksett and the surrounding area will know the name of Jesus Christ. It is only by knowing Him that they can call on Him to be saved (Romans 10:14).
Servant evangelism is the method that gets believers talking with unbelievers. When we submit ourselves to serve those we are trying to reach, we open the doors for gospel conversations. We believe that Christ best modeled this when He washed the feet of the disciples. (John 14:5-6, 14).
We dream of the day when we will build up the next generation of missionaries within our community that will go out and continue planting churches. We believe that Christ will build His church, and through this church, He will call more to go for Him. Everyone is called to ministry in some form, and it is our job to equip them for this calling.
(2 Timothy 2:2).
We believe that only after people know that we care that they will care what we know. Evangelism should be our ultimate motive, but it should never be our ulterior motive. Jesus saw people not as targets, but as people with hurts and brokenness that could only be answered by the gospel, and we believe this also. By taking the word to the people, we are taking the truth of who Christ is and what He has done for them. (Romans 10:17).
New England was the birthplace of Christianity in the United States, and God had done amazing things here. There is such a need for gospel-preaching churches throughout New Hampshire. People here are multi-generationally separated from God.
God told Ezekiel concerning Israel that He was sending him "to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me". (Ezekiel 2:3). Ezekiel was told that he would not fear them, nor their words, and he shall speak God's word to them even if they choose not to listen (Ezekiel 2:6). I believe that it is only through the sound preaching of God's word that the people can know of their rebellion from God.
This church has been called to go to these peoples so that they may know of their rebellion, see their need for Christ as their Savior, and return to God. This leads to the mission statement of "From the knowledge of rebellion, to the truth of Christ, for the salvation for all." By taking the truth of God's word to those who are in rebellion, they can learn they are living in direct disobedience to the Father. Knowing this, they can learn the truth of who Christ is and what He has done for them, and this knowledge is what leads one to attain a saving faith and the free gift of salvation.
Watch this video for a vision of Hooksett
