We Believe
BIBLE:
The Bible is the inspired word of God and is therefore our authoritative and infallible guide in all things.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5, Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 22:29, Romans 15:4, Hebrews 1:1-2
GENDER:
We believe that God created people both male and female with inherent biological distinctions. We believe that men and women were created in the image and likeness of God, equally blessed, and given dual responsibility over the created order.
Genesis 2:4-25 Genesis 1:26–28
WE BELIEVE IN THE ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD:
He is the creator and sustainer of the universe, who is all-wise, all-present, and all-powerful. He is ruler over everything and directs the affairs of men according to His eternal purposes.
Genesis 1:1-3, Isaiah 44:6, 24, Isaiah 45:5-7, Mark 12:29-32, Acts 17:25b-28
WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS GOD’S BELOVED SON:
Being in very nature God, He was present and active in creation. He lived on this earth, taught men to know the path to salvation, and was crucified for our sin in order to reconcile us with God. He was raised from the grave on the third day and ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of God, where He now intercedes with the Father on our behalf. We believe in His eventual return, His ultimate victory over Satan, and His eternal reign.
Matthew 28:2-7, John 1:1-3, John 3:16, John 14:6, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:18-23, Philippians 2:6, Colossians 1:17-20, 2 Peter 1:11, Revelation 12:10-11, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Galatians 4:4-5
WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT:
He is one with the Father and Son and lives within the church, individually and collectively directing our minds, giving us life, empowering us to confess that Jesus is Lord, testifying that we are God’s children, and interceding for us in our prayers. The Holy Spirit is our helper and our friend giving us the strength to serve God in the way that pleases God.
John 14:6, 14:16-17, 14:25-26, Romans 8:5-17; 26-27, 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 12:1-31, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Peter 1:2, Revelation 22:17, Luke 1:35, 4:1, 11:13, 12:12, Mark 1:10, Isaiah 61:1-3
WE BELIEVE IN BAPTISM:
In Water — Baptisms are an outward expression of someone’s inward decision to commit their heart to Christ. Being submerged in water is a public way to celebrate the spiritual change that happened when you were born again. It's a symbol of having died and been buried, then coming up out of the grave free of our old dead selves. Water baptism does not save you — it's a celebration of being saved.
In the Holy Spirit — Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is a free gift from Jesus Christ to anyone who is both saved and willing to receive it. This baptism shows up as spiritual gifts differently for each person; wisdom, knowledge, faith, the power to heal, to perform miracles, to prophecy, to speak in languages (also known as "tongues.”), to interpret the languages, to tell spirits apart. Since the Holy Spirit is our helper, being baptized in Him empowers us to a life of discipleship.
John 3:3-21; Acts 8:27-39, Mark 1:8, Luke 11:13; Acts 19:1-6, Acts 2:4, John 14:26, Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
Our Core Values
Devoted Worshipers
We want to be people who are “devoted” to worshiping Jesus. We want to carve out time daily to be alone for prayer and Bible reading. We make time to join with others to pray and study His Word. We regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper and can’t stop thanking Him for His mercy. These are not obligations we try to squeeze in, but cravings we can’t live without. We don’t require gifted communicators or musicians; we just love to worship Jesus even in the most basic settings. It is the object of worship that makes worship exciting to us.
Loving Families
We want to be people who love each other deeply and show this by our sacrifice. We seek a bond that surpasses that of our natural families and is only possible because of our common fellowship with Jesus. We share our possessions and our lives with each other. We seek to obey all of the “one another” commands in Scripture. Christ wants us to be known for our love, and He claimed that our unity would cause others to believe in Him. Our goal is not merely to get along but to love each other to the extent that Christ loved us, and to be united to the extent that the Father is one with the Son.
Equipped Disciple Makers
We want our people to become fully trained for greater works of service. We believe that all believers should be disciple makers. No one should come as a consumer, but all should come as servants. The Holy Spirit has given each of us a gift that is to be used for building up the body. We want our leaders to teach us how to lead and help us develop in character through their modeling and teaching. Our goal is that each one of us becomes like Christ, and develops the ability to lead others to Him, make disciples, and plant more small gatherings.
Spirit-Filled Missionaries
We want to be people with supernatural character, focused on sharing the gospel with neighbors and coworkers. We want to be people who are not focused on survival or higher standards of living, but devoted to the mission. For some, this will mean going to foreign countries to share Christ where He has not been heard. For others, this means supporting those who have gone. For everyone, it means sharing the gospel regularly.
Suffering Sojourners
We want to be people who are eagerly waiting for the return of Christ. We are willing and wanting to suffer because we believe in heavenly rewards. Far from seeking comfort, we thrive on any hardship we get to endure for His Name. Our focus is not on what we can see, but on the unseen world. We refuse to become citizens on this earth. We live as aliens and strangers on the earth, waiting for a better city.
