Statement of faith.

Sacred Scripture

The Bible, comprised of 66 books from the Old and New Testaments (or Hebrew Bible and New Testament), is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. As such, it is in its original manuscripts without error and serves as the ultimate foundation for faith, conduct, and salvation. The Scriptures reveal God’s truth, guiding us in every aspect of faith and equipping us to live out His mission.

The Bible is not merely a collection of ancient texts but a dynamic narrative that reveals God’s purposes throughout history. Scripture is the living word of God, through which He continues to speak to the Church today. As Christ-followers, we seek to submit to its authority under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to understand and faithfully convey its message rightly. The truth of God revealed in Scripture is the ultimate authority over all cultures, calling us to obedience to Jesus Christ and inviting us into the ongoing story of God’s redemptive work in the world.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; Hebrews 4:12; Romans 15:4; John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13)

The Triune God

There is one eternal God, who exists in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—united in essence yet distinct in role and relationship. This mystery of the Trinity reveals God’s own nature as a community of love, calling us into a relationship with Him and with one another. The Triune God is holy, glorious, sovereign, infinite, and unchanging. Through creation, redemption, and sustaining power, the Triune God reveals His glory, drawing us to worship, reverence, and obedience. Each person of the Trinity works in harmony to accomplish God’s purposes for humanity and creation, guiding us to know Him deeply and to reflect His love and justice in the world.

(Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-14; John 14:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Genesis 1:26; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 6:3; Hebrews 13:8; Colossians 1:16-17)

God the Father

God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, is the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. As Father, He is the source of all life, sovereignly ordaining and sustaining creation by His wisdom and power. He loves the world deeply, desires that all people come to know Him, and is patient in His pursuit of reconciliation with His creation. In His goodness and holiness, God the Father provides for His children, hears our prayers, and calls us to live for His glory. He is the ultimate authority and the giver of every good gift, inviting us to walk in faith and trust in His gracious provision. Through His love, we are adopted as sons and daughters called to share in His mission of love, peace, and justice in the world.

(Genesis 1:1; Psalm 145:9; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 7:11; Romans 8:15-16; James 1:17)

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, is the only Savior and Lord and the true incarnation of God. In becoming fully human—born of a virgin—Jesus remained fully divine, possessing attributes only God could possess. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and rose from the dead to conquer sin and death, revealing the fullness of God’s love and truth. He is our hope and the only way to reconciliation with God. The risen Lord ascended to heaven, where He now intercedes for us, and we eagerly anticipate His promised return to reign as Lord and King. On that day, He will judge the world with justice and bring complete restoration and peace to heaven and earth.

(John 1:14; Matthew 1:23; 1 Peter 2:22; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 19:16)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son and dwells within all believers, empowering them for holy living and effective witness. The Spirit works to reveal Jesus, convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and guide, comfort, and renew believers to live in Christ’s likeness. By uniting us as the body of Christ, the Spirit equips each believer with spiritual gifts, enabling us to continue Jesus’ mission, proclaim the gospel, foster unity, and transform the world through the love and truth of God.

(John 14:16-17; John 16:8; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:3-4; Acts 1:8)

Humanity

Humanity was created in the image of God, endowed with dignity, purpose, and the call to steward His creation. Formed to bring God glory, we were made to love Him, live in relationship with Him, and love our neighbors as ourselves. This calling aligns with the Genesis mandate to care for and cultivate the earth, living in harmony with God, each other, and creation. We are created to reflect His character, finding fulfillment in worship, love, and service that extends His grace and truth to the world.

(Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:15; Matthew 22:37-39; Colossians 3:23-24; 1 Peter 2:9)

Sin

Sin is humanity’s turning away from God’s goodness and love, rejecting His authority, and choosing disobedience and self-sufficiency over trusting and following Him. Created to live in dependence on God and in alignment with His will, we instead often seek our own way, placing ourselves above God. This rebellion disrupts the relationship for which we were made, leading to brokenness and separation from God. Sin affects every part of our lives—our flesh, hearts, and minds—warring against us and drawing us away from His truth and love. Additionally, demonic spiritual forces are at work, further seeking to pull humanity deeper into separation from Him. Only through God’s redemptive grace in Jesus Christ can we be reconciled to Him, restored to our purpose, and empowered to live for His glory.

(Genesis 3:6-7; Romans 3:23; Romans 7:18-19; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:21-22; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

The Gospel

The Gospel is the announcement that God’s kingdom has arrived through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the Lord and Messiah, in fulfillment of Israel’s Scriptures. It proclaims that Jesus, the crucified and risen Savior, who died for our sins and rose again according to the Scriptures, has been exalted as the true Lord of the world. This royal proclamation evokes a response of faith, repentance, and discipleship, calling all people to embrace the transformative power of God’s grace.

As we respond to the Gospel, we are invited into a relationship with God, receiving the gift of salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel not only brings forgiveness and reconciliation but also empowers believers to live out their faith in obedience and service. Through this message, God calls people from every nation, culture, and background to salvation, offering a new life marked by hope, purpose, and the promise of eternal communion with Him.

(Matthew 4:17; Luke 4:43; John 3:16; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-9)

Salvation

Salvation is by God’s grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone. We need salvation because all humanity has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, resulting in separation from Him and the consequence of sin, which is death. Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection provide the only basis for forgiveness of sin and eternal life. When we turn from sin and place our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we receive the gift of salvation, reconciled to God and granted the Holy Spirit’s transforming presence. Our salvation includes redemption, adoption, and a lifelong journey of becoming more like Christ.

(Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 4:4-7; Philippians 1:6)

Mission

Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are saved by grace and reconciled to God. This salvation compels us to love and serve others, sharing the good news of Jesus in both word and deed. As followers of Jesus, we are called to witness boldly, proclaiming the Gospel message of salvation in Christ and making disciples who grow in faith and obedience to Him. We teach others to live as He taught, embodying His teachings in every aspect of life. This work includes pursuing justice, mercy, and peace, and demonstrating Christ’s love and compassion in every community. We recognize that our mission is not just a personal journey but a collective calling to extend God’s kingdom on earth.

(Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 5:16; Luke 4:18-19; James 1:27)

Baptism

Baptism is a vital and joyful step of obedience for every believer in Jesus Christ. As an outward sign of an inward change, baptism symbolizes our union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. It signifies the washing away of our sins and the beginning of a new life in Him. We practice baptism by immersion, reflecting the example set by Jesus and the early Church. Baptism is not a means of salvation but an important act of faith that publicly declares our commitment to follow Christ and serves as a means of grace within the community of believers. We invite all who have faith in Jesus to be baptized in His name.

(Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21)

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacred practice instituted by Jesus for His followers. It serves as a reminder of His sacrifice and the new covenant established through His body and blood. In partaking of the bread and the cup, we proclaim the death of Christ until He returns, acknowledging our need for His grace and forgiveness. The Lord’s Supper fosters our spiritual nourishment and strengthens our unity as the body of Christ. We are called to approach this meal with reverence and thanksgiving. Self-examination and repentance are essential as we reflect on our relationship with God and one another. We encourage all believers to participate regularly as an expression of faith.

(Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; John 6:53-58)

Eternity and the Kingdom of God

Eternal life with God and the final judgment are central tenets of our faith. Christ will return to fully establish His kingdom, bringing peace, justice, and restoration and ushering in a new creation consisting of a new heaven and a new earth. For those who choose to reject God and His kingdom, eternity signifies separation from Him, which the Scriptures describe as hell—a state of existence apart from the life, love, and hope found in God. In light of the hope of Christ’s return, we strive to live faithfully, using our lives, resources, and talents to serve God’s purposes on earth while anticipating the fulfillment of His kingdom and the joy of eternal life with Him.

(John 3:16; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 21:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 6:23)

Sanctity of Life

All human life is sacred, created by God in His image, and deserving respect and protection from conception to natural death. Each person reflects the divine dignity bestowed upon them by their Creator. We recognize the complexities of life, including unplanned pregnancies and end-of-life issues, and we are committed to showing compassion and support to those affected.

We advocate for the rights of every child to live and to grow up in a loving home with both a mother and a father, as intended in God’s design for the family. This commitment reflects our deep value for children, which is often neglected in society and throughout history. Jesus’ teachings about the worth of children were revolutionary, emphasizing their significance in a culture that frequently marginalized them. We are called to honor and protect the most vulnerable, ensuring that every child is cherished, nurtured, and given the right to thrive.

(Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Proverbs 31:8-9)

Marriage

God designed marriage as a sacred and lifelong union between man and woman, reflecting Christ’s profound love for His Church. This covenantal relationship serves as the foundation for a stable society and is essential for the flourishing of families. We affirm that God created each person as male or female, with distinct and complementary identities that reflect His image and purpose. We uphold the sanctity of marriage as vital to the well-being of individuals and communities, recognizing that a healthy family structure fosters security and love for children, enabling them to grow in environments that honor their inherent worth as creations made in God’s image.

(Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:25-33; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Peter 3:7; Psalm 127:3-5)

Commitment to the Historical and Global Church

We aim to share the beliefs and values of the faithful global Church throughout history. We confess the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed as foundational expressions of Christian doctrine that have united believers across time and space. These creeds affirm our shared faith in the Trinity, the incarnation of Christ, and the promise of eternal life.

Seeking to be part of the larger global Christian fellowship, we also stand in broad agreement with the Lausanne Covenant and the associated Cape Town Commitment. The Lausanne Movement emerged in the late 20th century, bringing together evangelical leaders from around the world to address the Church’s critical issues and promote the gospel’s transformative power. This united global community emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to mission, engaging in evangelism, justice, and cultural engagement. Through these commitments, we affirm our desire to participate in the Church’s global mission, reflecting the heart of God for all people.

(Ephesians 4:4-6; 2 Timothy 1:13; Matthew 28:19; John 1:14; John 3:16; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Micah 6:8; James 1:27; Revelation 7:9-10)