Our Faith
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
— John 14:6 (NIV)
Our Mission
Our mission is to go and make disciples for the transformation of our community and our world. It is in the transformation of hearts and minds as new disciples of Jesus Christ are formed that we will experience the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God and see lasting change in our community.
Our Faith
Our faith, as a member of The Global Methodist Church, centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ, emphasizing his role as Savior and Lord. We believe in the Holy Spirit as the source of empowerment and guidance. Additionally, we uphold the authority of the Bible as the primary rule for faith, morals, and service. We also embraces the teachings of John Wesley, including the concepts of Wesleyan holiness and social gospel.
Our Principals
The Bible
The foundation for our faith is the Bible, which we believe contains everything a person needs to know and be in relationship with God. The Bible, comprised of 66 Old and New Testament books, describes God’s initiative in drawing us back into relationship. Inspired by God, the books of the Bible were written by human authors, and contain their own individual styles, backgrounds, and cultural inflections. However, we believe that the Scriptures are the unique authoritative source for matters of faith and practice. No other writings are so inspired by God.
God
We believe in the triune God, one true, holy, and living God, who exists in three separate persons; God the Father as Creator, God’s only Son, Jesus Christ as Redeemer and Savior of the world, and the Holy Spirit as the counselor and sustainer of life. All three are distinct, but inseparable, forming a perfect and eternal relationship. God showed power, wisdom, and creativity when God made everything that is, seen and unseen; God shows sovereign might today by sustaining everything; continuing to fulfill the divine plan of redeeming the whole creation by constantly offering freedom and grace.
Focus on Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, both fully human and fully divine. Jesus is the eternal second member of the Trinity. He was both fully God and fully human and lived a perfect life, always loving perfectly. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, he was born of the virgin Mary. Through his voluntary death on the cross Jesus paid in full the debt of our sin, and bridges the gap between God and people for everyone who believes in him. After three days, he arose from the dead and now serves as the mediator between God and people, continually interceding for those who belong to him. Scripture says he will return some day to fulfill God’s plan of complete restoration of God’s perfect design for all of creation.We believe in his incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. We see Jesus as the Savior and Lord, and the foundation of our faith.
Role of the Holy Spirit
We recognize the Holy Spirit as the empowering force that guides us in all aspects of our lives. The Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity, is in the world reminding us of our need for God, nudging us to relationship with God through Christ, and empowering us to live God’s way. The Holy Spirit is constantly present to us providing comfort, strength, and encouragement. The Holy Spirit also enables understanding and application of scripture and gives unique, individual spiritual gifts to build up the church and facilitate ministry in the world. As we choose to yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading and shaping influence, the result is authentic fruit—character and behavior aligned with God’s design.
Salvation
The Good News of the Bible is God’s unmistakable pursuit of all people, urging them to enter new-life relationship made possible through Jesus Christ. Originally created to live in perfect harmony with God, we choose to go our own way and become separated from God. All of us have suffered the same fate of turning from God, experiencing separation, and being unable to restore that relationship by ourselves. Therefore, salvation is an act wholly initiated by God that is not added to or improved by any act of human goodness or kindness. We are saved by faith in God and the acceptance of God’s free gift of grace in Jesus Christ.
Human Destiny
God’s desire is to be in permanent love relationship with every person. Because God gives us a choice, it is possible for us to reject relationship with God and be forever separated from God’s light and love, a reality the Bible names hell. When we die, those who accept God’s offer of never-ending life we believe will enter into a new, perfect, eternal reality filled with God’s holy presence.
The Church
Once we begin a relationship with Jesus Christ, we become members of Christ’s body—the Church. The Church universal is comprised of all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible paints vivid pictures of what believers are to do when we gather: worship, pray, encourage, teach the Word, serve and love each other through our creative giftedness, share communion and baptism (the two sacraments of the church), and reach out to the world. When this happens, the church functions as a healthy organism. The Church is called to be not a fortress, where people hide away from the world, but a powerful, Spirit-driven force God can use to change the world. As such, all are welcome.
Sacrament
In the sacrament of baptism, we are initiated in the universal body of Christ, forgiven of our sins, and given new birth through water and the Spirit. When we receive in the sacrament of Holy communion, bread and juice symbolizing the body and blood of Jesus, it is a means of God’s grace, and represents our desire to live together in community. The sacrament of Holy Communion is open to any person who confesses Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Wesleyan Tradition
As a member of The Global Methodist Church, we draw on the teachings and traditions of John Wesley, including the emphasis on personal holiness, social responsibility, and the experience of conversion.
Making Disciples
In support of our mission, our objective is to make disciples of Jesus Christ, who are called to love God, love their neighbor, and witness to the world.