What is SOMA?

“SOMA is a family of ministries offering encouragement, order and covering to its members by the operation of the five-fold ministry through a network of spiritual fathers.”

SOMA is a family of ministries.

Using the family as a model, SOMA is a fellowship of ministries who gives and receives life from one another.  The psalmist declared that “God sets the solitary in families” (Psalm 68:6a NKJV ). It is our goal, therefore, to provide a place where people are nurtured and grown, giving life to subsequent generations of believers and ministries.

We believe that spiritual parents produce spiritual children.  In keeping with that concept, we believe that every pastor needs a pastor.  The basis of our unity, therefore, rests in our ability to relate to one another as a family instead of members of an organization.  The core of SOMA’s existence is relational.

SOMA is a fellowship of ministries that brings order to life.

As the vine and branches work together to bring forth fruit, SOMA promotes the expression of life through each individual ministry.  SOMA is structured in such a way as to enhance each ministry’s connection of life from vine to vine, recognizing and promoting the individuality of each ministry.  As the arbor is to the grapevine, so is SOMA to the ministries we serve.

SOMA is a group of individual ministries.

We recognize that each ministry is unique.  We believe that there should be freedom for every ministry to express their own individual gifts and calling within their respective communities.  We, therefore, celebrate our uniqueness and see our individuality as a strength within our fellowship.

SOMA is an affiliation of ministries focused on growth.

We believe that each ministry should be encouraged to express their reproductive nature.  This brings regenerative life to the vine and allows each ministry to give birth and expand their influence. It is our aim, therefore, to govern SOMA in such a way as to allow capable ministries to be raised up and used by God to create new families as God allows.

SOMA is an association of ministries using a biblical model of ministry.