And His Church isn’t an outdated idea, a dead religion or an empty building. It is actually the hope of the world and is designed by God to be a life-impacting, hope-inducing, society-influencing change agent, that literally brings the kingdom of Heaven to earth.
That’s the kind of church you’ll read about in the Bible, and that’s the kind of church we are seeking to establish in New Orleans, Louisiana.
These aren’t meant to be exhaustive or prescriptive, but rather key Biblical values and practical examples of how we live them out here at Antioch. The goal of these is to help each of us grow into more wholehearted disciples every day.
At the heart of discipleship is union with God—the kind of relationship that was always meant to be, free from shame, full of friendship. This is why Jesus came: to restore that connection. It’s the greatest commandment: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. But it’s also the hardest. The practical rhythm for us is being alone with God and abiding in Him.
God said, ‘It’s not good for man to be alone.’ We can’t do this on our own. Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs. He had his twelve, and then His close three. In the same way, we need those deep Kingdom friendships—people who really know you, who encourage you, hold you accountable, and pray for you. This is where discipleship happens—in the context of relationship. Our practical rhythm for this is what we call Groups of 2-3. This is exactly like it sounds – a group of 2-3 people who do life together.
Jesus often used the table for some of His most impactful moments. In Acts 2, table fellowship became a hallmark of the early church. This happens in our House Churches as we gather around dinner tables and in living rooms, getting to know each other as family. There’s something powerful that happens in circles that doesn’t happen in rows. House Church is not just a strategy—it’s how we care for one another, encourage each other, and grow as a community. It’s where discipleship happens. At Antioch, being part of a House Church is key. We aren’t a program-driven church; we are family, living out Acts 2:42-47.
Though the early church met mostly in homes, they still gathered regularly in the temple. Jesus had His disciples, but He also had the crowds. Our Sunday Morning Gatherings are our family reunion, where we worship, dive into Scripture, and cast vision. It’s about staying in sync with God and with each other as a whole.
Jesus said the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor. Discipleship isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about becoming a person of love. In our community, we talk about Oikos—your circle of influence—and Prayer, Care, Share. This is how we make the Great Commission personal.
God’s heart is generosity. He gave His Son, and we are called to give too. Paul told Timothy to be rich in good works, generous to those in need. Whether it’s serving or giving, when we all contribute our time, talent, and treasure, there’s always more than enough. What does it look like for you to give and serve in our community?
We are saved, being saved, and will one day be fully saved. Jesus came to bring us wholeness—peace, or shalom. This isn’t just relief; it’s restoration. God wants to reintegrate every part of us. The more we experience wholeness in our own lives—physically, mentally, spiritually—the more we can bring that peace to our city. That’s why we focus on practices like Sabbath and mental/physical health.
Antioch New Orleans is a part of a global family of churches committed to seeing the Great Commission fulfilled around the world through church planting and discipleship movements. Antioch is based in Waco, Texas and currently has over 80 international church-planting teams and 38 churches in the United States–with more teams being sent and churches being planted each year. We are also closely connected to our sending church, Antioch Baton Rouge and are strengthened by their support and friendship.
