WHAT WE BELIEVE

The Trinity:

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Creator and His Creation:

We believe God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and that He has sovereign authority over all of His creation.

The Bible:

We believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative, sufficient Word of God, and that none may add or take away from it.

Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God:

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His substitutionary and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory to

Salvation:

We believe that apart from salvation, all are lost sinners who are guilty before a Holy God and in need of salvation from the penalty and power of sin and death. We believe that by God's grace, through faith in Jesus Christ and His redeeming work on the cross, all can receive the gift of salvation and be born again.

The Holy Spirit:

We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by who's indwelling the Christian is transformed increasingly into the likeness of Jesus Christ. We believe that each Christian, although not perfected and sinless in this life, is enabled by the Holy Spirit to live a blameless and repentant life.

The Resurrection:

We believe in the coming resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved will experience eternal joy and life in the presence of God; and they that are lost will experience eternal torment, separated from God.

The Church:

We believe that the Church consists of all persons who have turned toward God through faith in Christ and been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and made new people in Christ Jesus.

Unity:

We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, and that it is God's desire for believers to live life in community, being members of one body with Christ as the Head.

Our Calling:

We believe that God has given His Church two Great Commandments that are above all others: love God and love people whole-heartedly, selflessly, and sacrificially. An authentic application of these two Great Commandments of love inherently compels the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

The Great Commission:

We believe that God has given one great mission for His redeemed people during this present age on the Earth, and this is to make disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel (Good News):

We believe that in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to save those who believe. We believe that our ability to be disciples and to make disciples all centers on believing and living the Gospel. It is the Gospel that transforms our minds, hearts, and lives, displaying the truth about Jesus that we joyfully and prayerfully share.

Reformed Theology:

We believe that Reformed Theology is generally good theology. The core tenets of the Gospel, as understood in Reformed Theology, are well summarized by "The Five Solas of the Reformation."

Church Governance:

We believe that the church is to be led and shepherded by a plurality of elders, a team of biblically qualified men, with a lead pastor (elder) handling most of the preaching and day-to-day ministry responsibilities yet remaining one among equals on the eldership team, and ultimate authority residing with the entire group. The elders are the servant leaders of the church. Under the guidance and authority of the elders, the church is also led and served by a plurality of men and women deacons who serve alongside the elders. The deacons organize and execute the "physical" aspects of ministry, which allows the elders to focus on spiritual duties. The deacons are the leading servants of the church.

Prayer:

Prayer is a form of personal communication with God. Prayer is not meant to change God, but rather to express our dependence on Him and is a crucial means through which He works His will in our lives. Prayer helps believers to grow in faith and trust as they conform to the image of Christ.

Communion:

Communion is of two sacraments and is a visible sign of an invisible grace. It is a spiritual meal in which Christ is present spiritually through faith, providing nourishment, comfort, strength, and peace. Communion also serves as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and a promise that looks forward to His return. It is a shared meal that symbolizes the unity of believers in the body of Christ. The bread and juice are gracious gifts from God to His church.

Baptism:

Baptism is one of two sacraments and is a sign of God's covenant of grace. It symbolizes union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and the new life received through the Holy Spirit. It also serves as a rite of passage into the visible church, the community of God's people, and adoption into His family.

Christians can have varied views regarding our beliefs and practices, and there is some mystery in the things of God, so we humbly and respectfully allow for freedom and grace for our brothers and sisters who read the same Scriptures yet disagree on disputable matters. It is to Jesus, our Lord and Master, that each one will give an account.