Statement of Faith
This is what we believe:
About God
We believe there is one God, who has revealed Himself to humankind as our Father, in His Son Jesus Christ, and as the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is God manifested in flesh. He is both God and man. We often refer to God as “triune” because each person of the Godhead is both distinct and miraculously unified. These mysteries we accept by faith. (Deuteronomy 6:4, II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16)
About the Bible
The Bible is the infallible Word of God and the authority for salvation and Christian living. It serves as a standing testimony of God’s plans and intended destiny for humans. We see it as God’s eternal love letter to humans. The principles we find in scripture are life-giving and relevant for every historical era, location, and culture.
(2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12)
About Sin and Salvation
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when they disobeyed God after being tempted by Satan. Everyone has sinned and needs salvation. Salvation comes by grace through faith based on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Fear serves as a primary underlying cause for sin. Love is the best and most comprehensive cure for fear. While we cannot ever deserve or earn salvation, God chooses to love us despite our brokenness. Only through God’s saving grace and work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, redeemed, reconciled, restored, and renewed. (Romans 3:23-25; 5:6-8; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; I John 4:18-19)
About the Gospel
The saving gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. God’s original plan for an eternal relationship with humans, while temporarily derailed by sin, can be fully restored. We embrace the gospel through discretionary repentance (represents death to sin), water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (burial), and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit (resurrection).
(1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Acts 2:4, 37-39; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 4:17)
About Kingdom Living
As Christians, our priorities are to love God and to love others. Jesus states that the law (God’s written plan in the Old Testament) and prophets (God’s dynamic plan for communication) can be summarized in those two concepts. Living in a healthy relationship with God and others is the best life we can experience, on earth and for eternity. We should live a holy life inwardly and outwardly, worship God joyfully, and serve others faithfully. This process of sanctification (becoming more like Jesus Christ) is both instantaneous and a journey. This mystery we also accept by faith.
(Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-37; Romans 12:1-13; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 10:14; 12:1-14; 13:5)
About the Future
Jesus Christ, our risen Savior and King, is coming again for His church. The righteous will inherit eternal life and the unrighteous eternal death (judgment). We consider it a privilege to partner in advancing The Kingdom, and we look forward to the day when Jesus Christ will reign as King of Kings for eternity.
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:11-15; 19:1-7)
About Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
We believe that God has designed us intentionally and individually, in accordance with the
impact He wants us to have in our families, communities, and world. We believe that is the heart of diversity – God’s intentional design. And we celebrate how He has created us and others. Some of the diverse gifts and talents we have are natural and some are supernatural. All the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, including healing across multiple areas, are still for the church today and should be embraced since they are given by God as a blessing to the church.
We believe that women are called to great purpose in The Kingdom, just like men, and that the Holy Spirit empowers them with the same miraculous gifts and abilities, including gifts of leadership. Because they were present when Jesus shared the Great Commission with His disciples, they are also called to preach the gospel, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them about Kingdom living.
We believe that people of every nation, race, ethnicity, language, and culture are called to great purpose for The Kingdom, and that the Holy Spirit empowers humans all around the world with spiritual gifts and abilities. We believe that healthy church families, just like blood families, move beyond natural human differences to include people with diverse gifts and from different backgrounds. We choose to love everyone God loves. (Psalm 139:14; Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-15; Romans 16; 1 Corinthians 12:8-14; Galatians 2:1-10)
About our Church Family
We are a Christ-Centered church that is dedicated to loving God with all our heart (spirit), soul (emotions), mind (intellect), and strength (body), and to loving our neighbors as ourselves.Loving our neighbors means loving everyone in our community – no one is excluded from that love. It means even loving those who do not love us back. This love priority is part of our DNA and church culture.
(Matthew 5:43-48; Mark 12:28-31; I Corinthians 13; Revelation 2:1-4)