WE BELIEVE GOD DESIRES "US"
- We believe that God desires an personal relationship with every person on the face of the earth.
- We beleive God deeply loves you and cares about you and He sent his son Jesus Christ to demonstrate the full extent of His love for you.
- He did this by offering Himself as a sacrifice by dying on the cross to pay in full the penalty that your sins demand.
- Through the acceptance of His free gift of salvation, by your faith and not by your works, you can enter into that relationship and have the assurance of living with God forever in heaven.
- We hold onto these truths through the teaching of God’s Word, the Bible.
- Our desire is that we would see people know the truth of the Gospel, and the historic and authentic claims of Christ.
- We believe we are called to know Him and place our faith in Him and His unfailing love. To do this, we aim to present God in a an uncompromising fashion.
- We desire to see people set free and to walk in the "fullness of their christianity" - without hinderances of past hurts, and without limitations of wrong belief systems that have been developed throughout their lives. It is vitally necessary to renew of our mind by the Word of God daily.
- We desire to see Christ and the "application" of His Word transform us radically each and every day, and make an impact everywhere we go.
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STATEMENT OF FAITH
THE BIBLE We believe the Bible in its entirety, is the fully inspired Word of God, authoritative, infallible and inerrant in the original documents, and entirely trustworthy for faith and conduct. We believe in sanctification through the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit, and we believe in personal holiness, purity of heart and life. II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13 THE GODHEAD We believe in one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Creator of all things, Who is personal, almighty and perfect. He exists eternally in three Persons identical in nature, equal in power and glory and have the same attributes and perfections. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, was buried, was resurrected, ascended into heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father and is true God and true man. Genesis 1-2; Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19, 20 THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, was buried, was resurrected, ascended into heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father and is true God and true man. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was sent to reveal God and redeem sinful man. He accomplished our redemption by dying on the cross and shedding His blood in our place as a voluntary, substitutionary sacrifice. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father. We believe in divine healing, through faith in the Name of Jesus Christ, and that healing is included in the Redemption. We believe in the Christian's hope-the soon-coming, physical return of the Lord Jesus Christ to execute His righteous rule over His kingdom, judging in equity and justice all people who have ever lived, receiving the redeemed into eternal life and giving over those who were unrepentant to eternal condemnation in hell. John 1:1-2; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24-25; Romans 4:25; I Peter 1:3-5; Hebrews 7:25, 9:24; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT We believe the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, regenerates man through a new birth, indwells all believers and baptizes them into the Body of Christ, gifts all believers for the mutual growth of the Body, empowers them to grow in holiness, and seals all believers unto the day of redemption. We believe in water baptism, in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit as distinct from the New Birth, in speaking with tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance (Acts 2:4), in the gifts of the Spirit, and the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. We believe that all of these are available to believers. Romans 8:4; I Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4-5; John 16:8-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5. MANKIND We believe in the value and dignity of all people, male and female, because they were created in the image and likeness of God. In Adam's rebellion the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, became alienated from God, and is totally incapable of remedying their lost condition. Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3; Romans 3:22-23, 5:12; Matthew 19:4-6. SALVATION We believe salvation is a gift of God given to mankind by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure forever by the power of God. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 8:38-39; John 10:27-30; I Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 1:13-14, 2:10; I John 1; Hebrews 12:9-11; 1 Peter 1:18-19 THE CHURCH We believe the Church of Jesus Christ began at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the believers, baptizing them into the Body of Christ. It is spiritual and universal, of which Christ is the Head and all believers are a part. The Body is manifested in local churches which are to fulfill the Lord's commands to love God, to love others, and to make disciples of all nations. Acts 2; I Corinthians 12; I Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:21; Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 1:24; Ephesians 5:25; Matthew 28:18-20. THE ORDINANCES We believe the Lord Jesus established two ordinances, which are to be observed during this present age - Baptism and Communion. Baptism, by immersion in water in the name of the Triune God, is to identify the believer publicly with Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection. Communion, consisting of bread as a symbol of Christ's broken body and the cup as a symbol of Christ's shed blood, is a memorial of His sacrifice in securing our redemption, to be observed until He returns. The Bible teaches that only believers should partake of the elements of Communion after careful, prayerful evaluation of their walk with God. Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:26-38, 10:47-48; Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 11:27-31; Romans 6:3-5. SATAN We believe in the existence of Satan, a spiritual being who is the declared enemy of God and God's people, the destroyer of human lives and whose destiny is eternal punishment. Job 1:6-7; John 10:10; Ephesians 6:10-20; Revelation 20:10 THE LOCAL CHURCH The purpose for attending your local church is to have “a Biblical Community experiencing and expressing the love of God.” The Great Commandment and the Great Commission are the foundation of all we are and do. THE GREAT COMMANDMENT “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37 THE GREAT COMMISSION “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 |
WHAT WE BELIEVE ARE CORE VALUES
THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE We believe the Bible is true; that it is authoritative and applicable to every part of our lives. While we are progressive in our methods, we study, teach, and follow scripture as our sole authority and guidebook for life. We are committed to being thoroughly biblical and doctrinally pure in all we do (John 17: 14-17; Ephesians 6:17; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:14-17; Hebrews 4:12). AN OUTREACH ORIENTATION We believe the answers for all of life and eternity are found in a restored personal relationship with God by faith in jesus Christ, through grace. We are committed to spreading His love and message to those who don’t yet know it, empowering people to express their faith confidently and naturally, and cultivating purposeful relationships with unbelievers, We are dedicated to expanding our outreach - both personally and corporately - to our friends, family, community, and world (Matthew 28:18 - 20; I Cor. 9: 19 - 23). UNITY FORGED BY AUTHENTICITY We believe that God longs for His people to be united in spirit and purpose, and that He intends us to live life honestly. Unity is created and preserved when people are not afraid to admit their flaws and fears, and also when people are willing to speak the truth in love to each other (even when it is difficult and correction or discipline is necessary). We are committed to living authentic lives with God and with each other (John 17: 20 -23; Eph. 4:15; Phil. 2:1-2; James 5:16). CULTURAL RELEVANCY We believe God wants to reach people in ways that are meaningful to them. We wantto use the clearest most effective means possible to communicate God’s message. We are committed to presenting the truths of Christianity in a creative and relevant manner without compromising the gospel in any way (Acts 17:16-34; I Corinth 9:19-23). SERVANTHOOD AS A WAY OF LIFE We believe that as followers of Christ we are called to be servants; to live out the reality of putting others first. Servanthood is the result of genuine humility, and is a profound mark of the truth of God taking hold in our hearts. We are committed to serving our God, our fellow believers, and our community, not just as an activity but as a mindset and a way of life (Phil 2:3-8; Matt.20:25-28; John 13:1-17). DEPENDENCE DEMONSTRATED BY PRAYER We believe that we are utterly dependent on God for all that we are and all that we have, and that individual and corporate prayer is key to both remembering and acknowledging this vital truth. It is God’s desire that His people come to Him directly and persistently in prayer to pour out their hearts, their hurts, their gratitude, and their requests. We are committed to keeping prayer in the center of our lives, & in all our activities and decisions (Luke 11: 1-13; I Thess. 5:17 -18; Eph. 6:18). EXCELLENCE WITH INTEGRITY We believe that the work of God requires our best; anything less does not honor God, and conveys an inaccurate message to the watching world. Regular self evaluation must be a part of all that we do. We are committed to being good stewards of the resources of time, money, and abilities that God has given us (Ps. 78:72; Colossians 3:17, Prov. 27:17). A KINGDOM MINDSET We believe that God has a significant, strategic role for us as a ministry in the development of His kingdom. We want to maintain relationships of mutual respect, love, and support with other churches in our area. We are committed to having the maximum possible impact for Christ, which will require a constant stretching of our vision. A FOCUS ON GRACE We believe the central, driving force of the universe and in our lives is the unmerited grace and love of God. We believe His grace - not our effort or accomplishment - is responsible for producing eternal life, freedom from sin’s control, and lasting change in an individual’s character. We are committed to focusing on and celebrating that grace, and fostering an environment that reflects it in our lives and relationships (Romans 4:5; 5:20 -21; 8:31-39; Eph. 2:1-10). MARRIAGE AND FAMILY We believe that marriage is God's plan and the foundation for building families in which children are to be raised in the nurture and teaching of the Lord. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's gift to reveal the union between Christ and his Church and to provide for the man and the woman the framework for intimate companionship, delight in one another and the means for the procreation of the human race. Healthy families are crucial for the well-being of society and the body if Christ. 
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