STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe that The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to humans. It is Truth without error, revealing the way to salvation. It is our full and final authority on all matters of truth and discipleship. It is not only to be respected as God’s Word, but it is essential to believers for instruction, correction, training in righteousness and equipping for good works.

Isaiah 40:8; II Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 4:12; II Peter 1:19-21

We believe there is only one living God, holy and perfect. God is multi-dimensional, expressing Himself in three united yet distinct Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father fashioned the universe and rules over it with loving care; God “the Word” left heaven and willingly became a human, Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Fully God and fully human, born of a virgin, Jesus lived a perfect life then freely died (on a cross) to satisfy God’s just penalty against Sin and reconcile humankind with the Father. God the Father raised Christ Jesus from the dead and for now He is ruling His kingdom from Heaven. God the Holy Spirit inspired the writing of the Bible, convinces humans of sin, draws sinners to salvation, resides within every believer, guides them into truth, and gifts and empowers the Church for ministry in the world. The Spirit of Truth also serves as our Comforter, Counselor and Advocate while we are in the world.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Isaiah 40:18-31; John 16:4-14; Colossians 1:15-20

We believe that in the beginning God created humans, male and female, in His own image. People and Creation were in perfect harmony with God until they rebelled against Him (The Fall). Deceived by Satan, they sought to be like God and independent of Him. The Fall instituted The Curse, bringing both Sin and Death into the world, and infecting both humanity and the creation. Since then, every person is born under the Curse of sin and death, separated from God. Every person is in need of God’s mercy to be returned to right relationship with Him. Forgiveness and righteousness were accomplished for us through the sacrificial work of Christ, on the cross, which provides the only way to return to our original purpose—the enjoyment of peace and fellowship with God.

Genesis 1:26-28; 2:5-7; Psalm 8:3-9; Romans 3:21-25; 5:6-8; II Corinthians 5:16-21

We believe that our redemption (deliverance, rescue, recovery), which was purchased by Christ’s perfect sacrifice, is freely offered to all who receive it by faith, turning away from Sin and placing their trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior and King. God the Father not only forgives our sins, but recreates and empowers us for good works motivated by gratitude. He adopts us as His beloved children, and His indwelling Spirit prepares us to be co-heirs who will enjoy unending fellowship with Him in Heaven.

John 3:1-18; Romans 6:20-23; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:8-9; Titus 3:3-8

We believe that the Church is made up of all Christ followers from every generation, nation and people group on Earth. The Church universal has many expressions and traditions and is not limited to any one denomination or institution. Christ Himself is the “Head” of the Church and believers make up the “Body” that is united with Him for the purpose of expressing God’s love and glory to the World. Christians are called to gather regularly and grow into maturity within local fellowships that reflect God’s compassion and mercy to each other and their communities. Organizations like Higher Call and Retail Christian Network are “Para-church” ministries which do not replace the Church, but work alongside it to support various undertakings of local congregations worldwide.

Acts 2:41-47 & 6:1-7; Ephesians 1:15-23 & 4:1-16; Hebrews 10:19-25

We believe that discipleship is a person’s lifelong journey of following Jesus Christ. As the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Christ Jesus continually talks to the Father about us as we grow in our true knowledge of God and are renewed in our character and purposes. The Holy Spirit, given as a guarantee of our salvation, teaches us to apply the Bible to daily experience, enables us to walk faithfully in God’s ways and gifts us to minister to others around us. Spiritual progress is not principally a matter of new experience; rather it is a fresh returning to God in every new round of events. I am a sinner and need help; I am also justified and receive His power. Discipleship is a process that will continue until Christ returns to bring us to God and we are finally made complete.

Luke 9:23-27; John 15:1-17; Philippians 1:3-11; Colossians 2:6-10

We believe that all Christians have good news to proclaim to others. God calls us to share this message of immense potential and personal significance: “CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS”; the judgment we deserve was assumed by another! Jesus challenged all of His disciples in every generation to venture out all over the world as ambassadors or “disciple makers” among our families, our friends, our neighbors, our colleagues . . . everywhere we find ourselves, regardless of the sacrifice.

Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:1-10; Colossians 1:24-29

We believe that Christ Jesus will once again return to the earth. Only God the Father knows exactly how or when this will occur but we do know this: all of the dead will be raised and Christ will judge all who have ever lived. Those who have “loved His appearing” and all who trust in Him will not be condemned and will live forever with the Lord. Those who have rejected God will be separated from Him forever in a place of everlasting punishment. Since God Himself suffered for all of humankind, we must trust His character as Just in His verdicts and rectifying the injustice and suffering that continues to plague our corrupted world. At last, a new Heaven and a new Earth will be revealed and those who know and love God will always live with Him in complete peace, joy and contentment.

Matthew 25:31-46; I Thessalonians 4:13-18 & 5:1-11; II Peter 3:7-14; Revelation 20-22