WHAT WE BELIEVE ... AND WHY.

We believe that the Bible is true...
 

It is the only inspired and authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:21). There are many translations but the Word itself is true and can be relied upon.

 

We believe that there is One God...

Eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son - Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit; three-in-one and one-in-three. Our human understanding cannot fully grasp this divine existence.

 

We believe in Jesus Christ...

His deity, His virgin birth, His perfectly sinless life, His miracles, His teachings, His death as a sacrifice for our sins, His resurrection from the dead, His appearing to hundreds of people after His resurrection, His ascension to sit at the right hand of God the Father, His personal and imminent return to the earth in power and glory as ruling king. We don't understand how Jesus could be fully God and fully man, but the Bible says that this was the only way He could become the perfect sacrifice for all of our sins. We don't know when Jesus will return, but the Bible says that He will. What we do know is that His return is closer today than it was yesterday. We must live like it could happen at any time!

 

We believe Jesus is the only way...

Because He said so. Jesus Himself declared that he is the only way to be saved. (John 14:6 ; Acts 4:12)

 

We believe that Salvation is personal...

Through the work of the cross, Jesus gave Himself for all who, by God's grace, repent of their sin and, by faith, receive and confess Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. This is a personal, intimate encounter between each person and Jesus. All we bring is ourselves; there is no "work" we can do, no divine "scorecard" that tracks our good deeds vs. our bad deeds to determine our eternal future.

You either believe and accept Jesus Christ,
and live as His follower, or you don't.

 

 

We believe that Heaven and Hell are real places...

Because the Bible describes both heaven and hell in great detail. Heaven is not clouds and harps, but a kingdom filled with life and light where the saved encounter God as He truly is; and live, serve, and celebrate His beauty and glory in complete joy and freedom.

Hell is a place of unending pain and suffering. It is not the intended destination for any human being, but rather it was created for Satan and his demons. God does not send people to hell; it is the choice they make when they reject Jesus Christ and His offer of salvation.

 

We believe that God loves all people...

The Bible says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17)

 

We believe that it is the Church's job to live and share the Gospel...

The "church" - or those groups of people who pledge their lives to follow Jesus Christ - are responsible for proclaiming, teaching, demonstrating, living out and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ for as long as they live.

 

We believe in Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper...

As two special events in the life of the church and the individual followers of Jesus. (John 3:5; Acts 2:38; 1Cor. 11:23)

 

Water Baptism is celebrated as a believer in Jesus Christ chooses to be baptized to publicly declare his or her new life. It is not a requirement for salvation; it provides a symbolic "death" by being submerged in water, followed by a "resurrection" to new life upon returning to the surface.
 

A child who is mature enough to receive salvation and understand the meaning of this event may receive water baptism. Parents may choose to have an infant or young child dedicated to the Lord until the child is old enough to accept salvation.

 

The Lord's Supper, also called Communion, is to be celebrated regularly among believers as they share in broken bread and wine or grape juice, to remember the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross and what that sacrifice has done for them. It is also a time to look with joyous hope and expectation for His return.
The communion celebration is open to all, as the sacrifice of Jesus is open and offered to all.

 

We believe that God's people should give...

Because it is both the duty and privilege of each believer to support the local church or fellowship through giving of time, talents and treasures. This includes regularly attending church services and events, serving in some capacity, and giving financially - according to the Scripture and their individual ability.
 

Those who obey God's commands for giving are blessed. Those who oversee the finances of a church body must be accountable and transparent.
 

Tithing, accompanied by additional freewill offerings over and above the 10% commanded by God, is the method that God has established to finance both the meeting of human and community needs and the spreading of the Gospel.

 

We believe that the Church should fully participate
in serving God and in serving people...

Jesus "did not come to be served, but to serve , and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28) We follow His example.

 

Everyone has something to offer ...  to God and to others.

 

No matter how broken,  matter how poor, no matter how sick or challenged, God created us to serve Him and to serve others, and he will help us do it.

 

The key is to serve together, bringing our time, our abilities, our dollars - with a humble heart - and let God make them into something beautiful that helps people and changes lives!

 

God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. We're not doing anything for God through our own strength. It's all about Him. When we take that risk and say yes, we actually make God happy!