We exist to glorify God and make maturing disciples of Jesus Christ. Our vision can be summarized in four core values. As a church, we strive to be…
Word-Centered. Christ-Exalting. Mission-Driven. Community-Focused.
Word-Centered
“The Bible is not the only way God reveals himself. We know about God from creation (Romans 1:20) and, most ultimately and definitively, in his Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2). Nevertheless, we can listen our whole lives to the words the heavens declare (Psalm 19:1) and still know nothing about God sending his Son to pay the penalty for our sin. Unless we love God’s written word in the Bible, we have no access to the “word of faith” in the gospel (Romans 10:8), or even the Word himself. If we want to be “gospel-centered” or “Christ-centered,” we must be Bible-centered.”[1]
“The Word of God is not just an optional add-on to the life of the church. Nor is it just one tool among many which will inform and benefit the people of God.” [2] The 66 books of the Old and New Testament are the foundation and ultimate source for how we know God, understand the human condition, and live rightly before God and man. The Scriptures are the center of our teaching, preaching, music, and prayers.
Christ-Exalting[3]
Paul writes of Christ in his epistle to the Colossians, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”[4] In light of these truths, we believe that making much of Christ is not one action alongside others. It is the aim of everything we do.
Mission-Driven
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”[5] Jesus has commanded us, as his disciples, to take his message of reconciliation to the nations. For us, this is lived out through local outreach opportunities and short-term mission trips.
Community-Focused
“Community is a foundational part of God’s design for humans. It should then come as no surprise that it is also foundational to the church.”[6] We believe true community takes place when believers live out the “one-another passages” of the New Testament. These passages instruct Christians to encourage one another, love one another, and instruct one another. We seek to foster this kind of community through both our larger gatherings (i.e. Sunday Morning Worship) and our smaller gatherings (i.e. Sunday School and Community Groups). While our corporate gather is most important, and is the highlight of our week as a church, we believe that many of the “one another passages” will happen in our community groups and in the day-to-day relationships of our members.
[1] https://www.desiringgod.org/no-bible-no-gospel-no-jesus
[2] https://www.9marks.org/article/class-iii-preaching/
[3] https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/new-year-new-adjective-christ-exalting
[4] Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV)
[5] Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
[6] https://www.challies.com/articles/one-another-the-bible-community/