Statement of Mission

Statement of Faith

As Christians, we proclaim the historical truth that Jesus Christ was born in the flesh, lead a perfect life, was crucified, and was resurrected to make atonement of the sins of all people. Our goal is to be the kind of church that Jesus established among his followers in the first century. The Bible teaches that Christians are to identify themselves under no one except Christ (1 Corinthians 1:12-13). Furthermore, the Bible teaches that His church is to be characterized by His follower’s love for one another (John 13:35), unity amidst brethren of differing opinions (Romans 14:1), and unapologetic testimony to the truth of Jesus’ teachings (Jude 3-4).

As a congregation, we wish to avoid two opposing mistakes: that we fail to proclaim the truth of God’s word, and that we fail in loving people. We believe that, in the example of Jesus Christ, it is possible to do both. Ephesians 4:15 declares,

“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

As our principal example, the cross simultaneously testifies to the monumental consequence of mankind’s sin, while also joyfully proclaiming the unfathomable love of God:

“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psalm 85:10).

Our desire to demonstrate these truths in our personal lives.

We affirm that Scripture is the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God is not faithless to leave His people without guidance. We bind on other Christians the truths which the Bible teaches; we treat as opinion that which the Bible is silent to.

We believe that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh (John 10:10).

We believe that every Christian has the Holy Spirit dwelling with them (Romans 8:9), who is given by God when one repents and is baptized (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit intercedes for the Christian in prayer (Romans 8:26) and teaches the Christian about the spiritual life (1 Corinthians 2:13).

We believe that salvation is a gift received by the grace of God alone through faith (Romans 3:28). One cannot earn salvation by meritorious works. Biblical faith is not mere mental assent, but requires choice (James 2:19). The choice that receives God’s salvation includes belief in God (Mark 16:16), confession (Romans 10:10), repentance (Acts 2:38), and baptism (Romans 6:5).

We also seek to teach and practice the Christian life, which does not end at salvation. Rather, we also believe in the process of sanctification, whereby God tests and purifies each Christian throughout their life. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 states,

“No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”

We believe that Christian action takes place in the context of interpersonal relationships. We aspire to Paul’s example as an evangelist, who told the Thessalonians:

“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

Accordingly, we pray that God guide our congregation to be a people pleasing to God, who “worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).