Statement of faith

A. The Word of God

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the final authority for all we believe and how we are to live. (Jn. 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Pet. 1:20–21).

B. God’s Deity

We believe that the one true God exists eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power, and glory. (Acts 17:24–28; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4–6; Col. 1:16–18)

We believe God the Father is eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. We believe the heavenly Father is the creator of the world and humanity and the source of all that exists, whether of matter or spirit. (Gen. 1 – 2:2; Ps. 8; Ps. 104; Ps. 139; Isa. 64:8; Mt. 7:11)

We believe in Jesus Christ, that He is truly God and truly man, God’s only begotten Son and that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His atoning work on Calvary, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His glorious ascension into heaven, His sole mediatorial intercession, and His future personal, visible return to the earth to reign forever. (Matt. 1:18-25; Jn 3:16-17; 14:12, 26; Rom. 3:1–4:23; 1 Cor. 15:20–28, 50–58; Eph. 1:9–23; Phil. 3:20–21; Titus 2:13; Heb.1:1-3; I Thes. 4:13-17; I Jn 3:5; Rev. 1:4–6; Rev. 7:9–17)

We believe in the Holy Spirit, that He is truly God and manifest the active presence of God in the world. We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to enlighten, to bring about regeneration and by indwelling in every believer, to sanctify us by enabling us to do what is pleasing in God’s sight, that we might be progressively conformed to the image of Christ. (Jn. 6:37–44; Jn 16:13-15; Acts 5:3-4; 8:1–17, 31–39; Rom. 8:26-27; Eph.1:13-14, 2:8–10; Phil. 2:12–13; Titus 3:3–7; 1 Jn. 1:7, 9)

C. Evil

We believe that Satan, originally a great and good angel, rebelled against God, taking a multitude of angels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and is at work with his demonic hosts to establish his counter-kingdom of darkness, evil, and unrest on earth. Satan was judged and defeated at the cross of Christ and will be cast forever into the lake of fire which has been prepared for him and his angels. (Isa. 14:10–17; Ezek. 28:11–19; Mt.12:25–29; 25:41; Jn. 12:31; 16:11; Eph. 6:10–20; Col. 2:15; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; Rev. 12:7–9; 20:10)

D. Salvation

As a consequence of disobedience and the fall of mankind, all persons are born into sin and are spiritually dead and justly condemned as children of wrath in the sight of God, wholly unable to save themselves and separated from God. God has offered us the gift of salvation through the death of his son as payment for our sins. By accepting God’s gift of salvation, we receive forgiveness for sins and are born into an eternal relationship with Him. This new life of salvation from the wrath of God, forgiveness of sin, and eternal life cannot be earned, deserved, inherited, or bought. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).

E. Humanity and Life

We believe that humanity, male and female, is created by God, in the image of God. We believe that all human life is sacred and is of inestimable worth in all its dimension, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other state of condition from conception through natural death. We are, therefore, called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Gen. 1:1-3:22; Psalm 139; Jer. 1:5; John 15:12-13).

We believe that marriage is the union of one man (husband) and one woman (wife) through a sacred covenant designed by God to be a lifelong relationship and commitment between a husband and a wife. We affirm God's marriage design as found in the Scriptures, but we also seek to minister to those who suffer the consequences of its brokenness. (Gen. 2:18-20; Matt. 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-12; Eph. 5:23-32; I Tim. 5:14; Heb. 13:4)

We believe that God created sexual intimacy and intends for that intimacy to be expressed only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that any sexual activity that occurs outside of a marriage covenant between one man and one woman violates God's laws and is sin. We believe that God created humankind in His image, intentionally male and female with each bringing unique and complementary qualities to sexuality and relationships. We believe that any attempt to reject, alter, or misrepresent one’s biological sex violates God’s law and his plan for humanity. (Matt. 6:18-20; Rom. 1:18-32; Heb. 13:4; I Cor. 6: 9-10,18-7:5)

We also affirm that we are called to minister to all who fall short of God’s standards with love and compassion. (Genesis 1:27; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 19:4-6). We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture. (Ps.51:5; Isa. 53:5; Jn. 3:16-17; Rom. 3:9–25; 5:12–21, 6:23; Eph. 2:1–9)

F. Missions and Service

We believe that God has called believers to work together in unity and honor in preaching the gospel to all nations, in making disciples according to the teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles, and in remembering the poor and ministering to their needs through sacrificial giving and practical service. (Isa. 58:6–12; 61:1; Mt. 5:1–7:28; 28:18–20; Lk. 4:18; 21:1–4; Gal. 2:10; 1 Tim. 6:8)