Our Beliefs

What is the good news?

In the Bible, the word for good news is gospel. The gospel is that Jesus is the promised King – the Messiah – as expected by the ancient nation of Israel. This is why central to the gospel is the early Christian statement “Jesus is Lord.” This good news is salvation from sin (our ways of doing things) and the restoration of our broken world. This salvation is a call to enter the kingdom of God by following Jesus. The call to follow Jesus is far more than a prayer – it is a call to follow Jesus in every realm of our lives. As we follow Jesus, we find life – not only for all of eternity but right here, right now.

We believe the Bible is reliable and true in everything it affirms about God. The Holy Spirit worked through human authors who wrote in the styles, languages and forms of their times. The Bible points us to Jesus, the perfect and fullest picture of who God is.

There is one living and true God, the creator and sustainer of all things. God exists in three persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one and equal in all things – in deity and purpose; everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom and goodness.

God was himself in Jesus Christ to bring people back to God. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, Jesus joined together the deity of God and the humanity of humankind. Jesus came to save us. He suffered, was crucified, dead and buried. He poured out His life as a blameless sacrifice for all. On the third day after His death, Jesus rose again forever victorious! He now sits at the right hand of God until His triumphant return.

The Holy Spirit is God. He is poured out upon the Church by God the Father and Jesus. He indwells, empowers, cleanses, transforms those who follow Jesus. He is the Spirit of truth and always points to Jesus – never conflicting with what God has already revealed in the Bible. He is still speaking and working in the world today!

We believe that the church is not a building or an organization, but peoplewho follow King Jesus. Consequently, we believe that anyone who follows Jesus is a part of the universal church. Locally, we believe followers of Jesus should be committed to one another in love and action by regularly gathering together (Hebrews 10.25; John 13.34-35) and by intentionally committing to one another.

• We believe that God equips, empowers and equally values both men and women. We encourage all people to serve God in the ways He has equipped them – regardless of their gender – including serving the local church as pastors. (Joel 2.28-29/Acts 2.17-21; Galatians 3.28; 1 Corinthians 11.5-12, Romans 16.6-7)

Our mission is to love God, love people, and make disciples!