CULTURE

Who we are

Culture is the language we speak, the stories we tell and the way that we live. This isn’t just what we do, but who we are. We’re passionate about embracing a Kingdom-culture, as we work out our mission and vision in our everyday lives. We believe that a community of people that lives intentionally in the Way of Jesus will begin to change and grow in these ways:

STATEMENT OF FAITH

What we believe

SCRIPTURE

We believe the Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God and that its authority is final and eternal. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any regard. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)

THE TRINITY

We believe in one eternal God who is the Creator of all things. He exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things. God the Son, Jesus Christ, is the Word made flesh, the only begotten son of the Father, and has existed from the beginning. God the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son and is our Helper, Comforter, Strengthener, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, and Standby. The baptism in the Holy Spirit, subsequent to conversion, releases the fullness of the Spirit and is evidenced through the gifts of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. (Philippians 2:6, John 1:1, John 15:26)

SALVATION

We believe that sin has separated each of us from God and caused us to be spiritually dead. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, as both God and man, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and the only One who can reconcile us back to God. Salvation is a free gift of God, based on the merits of the death and resurrection of His Son, and is appropriated by faith. In order to receive salvation and a ‘new birth’ we need to repent of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and confess Him as our personal Lord and Savior.  (Romans 3:23, John 3:16, John 14:6)

ATONEMENT

We believe Jesus Christ’s death on the cross paid the penalty for the sins of the world and made available the blessing of complete human redemption to all who believe. Healing (spirit, soul, and body), well-being, and abundance in all things has been provided for in Christ’s atonement. With this blessing, comes a calling from God for His followers to be God generous in good works and in giving to His body and especially those in need. (Psalm 103:1-3, Mark 16:18, John 10:10)

SANCTIFICATION

We believe that the Christian life is a joyful journey of Christlikeness and is evidenced by the fruit of the Holy Spirit being outworked in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This process of spiritual growth, also known as sanctification, leads to a genuine, Holy, Christ-like life and is a definite, yet progressive work of grace that we live out for our entire Christian life. (1 Thessalonians 5:23, Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18)

BAPTISM

We believe that baptism in water is by immersion, a direct command of Jesus, and is reserved for those who are believers. Water baptism is a personal, public declaration of the internal work that God has already done in a person's heart and is a testimony to all that the person now belongs to Jesus. This is a symbol of the Christian's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Acts 8:36-39)

THE CHURCH

We believe in the power and significance of the Church and the necessity of believers to meet regularly together for fellowship, prayer, and the ‘breaking of bread’. The Church consists of those around the world who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, His atoning death, and who trust in Him as their Lord and Savior. We believe that the local church is the vehicle of God working on the earth to extend and establish His Kingdom. (Ephesians 1:14-20, Hebrews 10:25, Ephesians 5)

HUMAN SEXUALITY

We believe that God intentionally created the human body and our sexuality to be enjoyed within His intended design. We believe in the historically Christian view of marriage and sexual expression; namely, that marriage is a lifelong one-flesh covenant union between one man and one woman, and that all other sexual relationships and expressions outside of marriage are sin. We can thrive and find deep connection in our sexual fulfillment as we do so within God’s intended design. (Genesis 1:27, Matthew 19:4-6, Romans 1:26-27)

THE LORD'S RETURN

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again as He promised. Our eternal destination of either Heaven or Hell is determined by our response and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When He returns, He will do so in glory and believers will reign with Him in a new Heaven and a new Earth. (Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17, Revelation 20:6)