BASIC BELIEFS:

In essential beliefs, there should be unity (Ephesians 4:4-6).

In non-essential beliefs, there should be liberty (Romans 14:1,4,12).

In all our beliefs, there must be love toward each other (1Corinthians 13:1-3,13).

The entire Bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of GOD and should be the supreme and final authority in our lives and faith (2Timothy 3:16-17, 2Peter 1:20-21).

One GOD exists and reveals Himself in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4, 2Corinthians 13:14).

Christ Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, was raised from the dead and is at the right hand of the Father as true GOD and true man (Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 9:5, Hebrews 12:2).

All mankind was created in the image of GOD, but fell from relationship with GOD by voluntary disobedience. Only through accepting Jesus Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice of His blood shed for our sins, can we be forgiven and restored into fellowship with GOD (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23; 5:1; 6:23; Ephesians 1:7).

Marriage is defined as a covenant between one male and one female, both being of a proper age of maturity that would enable a mutual consent to a lifelong partnership that is designed to unite the two as one in a committed relationship. The union of the two as one should not be detached, divided, disconnected or divorced unless death separates them or the sin of sexual immorality defiles the covenant and creates a chasm between the commitment that would cause division. The Word of GOD says that the monogamous male-female union, introduced in Genesis, is the only model of sexual behavior consistently praised in both Old and New Testaments (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18,23-24; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Deuteronomy 17:17; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:26-27; 1Corinthians 6:9-10; 7:2; 1Timothy 1:9-10; 3:2,12).

We also believe in the personal and imminent return of our Lord and the following bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, with everlasting joy for the saved and everlasting, conscious torment of the lost (Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:4-6; 11-15).

The Church is comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior and that Scripture instructs believers to identify and regularly assemble with other believers to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Bible, fellowship, and works of service (Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42-47; 16:5).

When a person believes and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior, that person is sealed by the Holy Spirit, who guarantees our salvation. GOD marks His children to be saved (Revelation 7:3; 9:4).

This seal of GOD is confirmation that we have been examined and inspected. Once inspected, we are approved and then sealed for security purposes, protected from tampering, and authorized by the King of kings (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2Corinthians 1:21-22).

The Lord knows who is sealed for protection; the Lord knows His children (Exodus 12:1-13; Ezekiel 9:4; John 10:14).

GOD may allow someone to wander knowing that he/she will repent and return (as was the case in the Prodigal Son of Luke 15:11-32), but no one who is truly saved can ever be taken away by Satan or the world (John 10:27-30).

The Holy Spirit has supernatural gifts to distribute to Christians for the instruction and empowering of every believer and when operated in balance and order will bring GOD glory (1Corinthians 12:1-12; 14:40, John 16:13-14).

Water baptism by full immersion (not sprinkling or pouring) in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the authority of Jesus’s name, should be followed by all believers as a public profession of their repentance and faith in Christ, but it is not required for salvation because baptism with the Holy Spirit is the true baptism which secures salvation (Matthew 3:13-16; 28:19; Mark 16:16; Luke 23:39-43; Acts 1:5; 2:38; 8:14-17, 36-38; 11:15-18; 19:1-6; 1Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1Peter 3:21).

We also believe that the holy ordinance of Communion should be received by believers walking in fellowship with the Lord as a remembrance and celebration of what Christ accomplished for them on the cross, but like water baptism, it does not ensure salvation (Luke 22:19-20, 1Corinthians 11:23-29

GENERAL MINISTRY PHILOSOPHY:

First and foremost, may GOD’s will be done, not our own. Also, cherish the church and keep the value; don’t allow deterioration. Stay excellent. Preventative maintenance is the best solution to a possible problem. Do not become complacent and comfortable. Stay active, alert and sober minded. Do the best with what GOD gives you. Be a good steward. Expect GOD’s goodness and greatness to bring goodness and greatness. Do your best and allow GOD to do the rest. If we expect to sail, we must have the sails up and the crew ready to sail. Wait for the wind, but be prepared to go when GOD says go. Unity is important; be team-oriented. Be real. Realistic expectations is healthy. Communication is key. We are encouraged to confess to each other about our mistakes, shortcomings, and disappointments. However, the focus is to be positive. We build each other up, not tear each other down. We grow together. Quality, not quantity; better, not necessarily bigger. Focus on being your best and give the growth to GOD. If our focus is centered on Christ, loving people, and reaching out to the lost, then growth will be inevitable. Do everything for the right reasons. We should be focused on spiritual health of the people present rather than the numbers of how many could be there. Are we changing lives? If so, we’re doing things right and those changed lives will change the lives of others. The focus should not always be on the fruit. Let’s plant seeds of salvation. GOD will grow His seeds. We should complete, not compete. We are not in competition with each other or other churches. We should all be striving toward the same goal of reaching people for Jesus. Did Jesus not tell us that the greatest amongst us will be the servant to others (Matthew 23:11)? We don’t need to be on top; in fact, we should be in the middle — the middle of GOD’s will. And to be in the middle of GOD’s will should take us into the darkest areas of life so we can shine the light of Christ. We should be in the spiritual battlefield. Are we reaching out to the homeless community? Are we cleaning up the streets where we live? Are we inviting the outcasts in? Are we feeding the poor? And the purpose of reaching the lost is why we should always be open and willing to change. We have the message of living water. We cannot afford to be stagnant water. We need to flow. Our desire to love people should compel us to constantly come up with creative ways to reach people. If that requires changing something we’re doing, then so be it. And even if what we do only reaches one person, it was worth it. You never know who that one person is and how many that one will eventually lead to Christ. We should not make excuses. We should be solution seekers. A problem should never be presented unless possible solutions accompany it. How can we do better? How can we do more with less? How can we grow? We grow when we take hold of the knowledge that everything is GOD’s and the glory belongs to Him alone. We grow when we are able to let go. We aren’t perfect. And that’s alright. Own your mistakes and move on. It’s okay to not be okay. We are allowed to have bad days. We should not fake it until we make it simply because we will not make it by faking it. We don’t need to pretend to be perfect. However, we are more than conquerers in Christ; we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and we will celebrate every victory. We should always have an attitude of gratitude. In everything, GOD should be praised. For all He has done, all that He is currently doing, and all that He will do. Praise!

YOUTH MINISTRY PHILOSOPHY:

We believe that we must meet them where they are in order to direct them to where they need to be. Relationship is required and prerequisite for discipleship. I must first establish relationships with students. Trust must be earned and a bond must be formed. It is through the act of building the relationships that I will be able to establish discipleship. It’s all about leading and building, guidance and growth. Their growth in discipleship should lead them into becoming leaders. They are not only to survive, but to thrive! They should be equipped to step into their roles of their future, wearing the full armor of GOD and equipped with the double-edged sword, which is the Word of GOD. Ministry leaders and volunteers need to approach every class with the knowledge that each teen is capable of complete commitment. The ultimate end goal is for every student to become a fully devoted follower of Christ. In turn, they will then go out into the world and fulfill the great commission, discipling others. We also believe that activities, outreach, and missions are important. And of course, students must have fun and enjoy everything about the youth ministry. In summary, we believe youth ministry can be described in five parts:

(1) Relationship (2) Preaching/Teaching (3) Life application challenge (4) Outreach opportunities (5) Activities / events / parties / celebrations

What We Believe