We identify with the historic Christian Church, which has confessed the early creeds as statements of faith across centuries, geographies, cultures, and traditions.

NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic* and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism** for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

As a local church, we further believe that:

THE BIBLE

The Bible is a collection of writings demonstrating God’s love, pursuit, and promise of redemption. God-breathed and sovereignly preserved, it reveals to us who God is and what he has to say, ultimately pointing us to Jesus Christ as the clearest revelation of God.

(John 1:1-5, John 5:39, Acts 17:11, 1 Tim. 4:13, 2 Tim 3:15-16)

SALVATION

Eternal life is found in knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom he has sent. Salvation is by God’s grace and is received by faith; it cannot be earned, only grasped with a heart of gratitude, love, and humility.

(John 6:47, John 6:68, John 17:3, Rom. 6:23, 1 Tim. 6:12, 1 John 1:2, 1 John 3:15)

SANCTIFICATION

We belong to become; our shared communion with, allegiance to, and dependence on Jesus is the means to our sanctification.

(Matt. 4:19, John 15:4-5, Acts 26:17-18, 1 Cor. 1:2, Col. 1:13-14, 1 John 1:3, 1 John 3:1)

HOLINESS

The politics*** of Jesus and his kingdom are God's right and beautiful way for all humankind; the Church is God's called-out, set-apart people meant to live this way before the world.

(Eph. 2:19-20, 1 Pet. 2:9, 1 Pet. 4:16-17, Rev. 15:3-4)

THE CHURCH

Jesus’ universal Church consists of local churches; the local church is a received, multi-generational family of faith that worships, prays, grows, serves, mourns, and rejoices together.

(Ps. 78:1-8, Ps. 145, Acts 16:5, Rom. 12:15, Rom. 16:4, 1 Cor. 12:12-27, Gal. 6:10, Eph. 3:14-15, Heb. 2:11, 1 Pet. 2:17, Rev. 2:7, Rev. 22:16)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit indwells every believer to equip and empower men and women alike for abundant life and fruitful ministry.

(John 10:10, John 15:5, Acts 2:17-19, 1 Cor. 3:16, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, Gal. 5:13-26, Col. 1:9-12)

EVANGELISM

The ministry of God and his Church is a ministry of reconciliation; the Church reaches out to gather all people of every age, culture, ethnicity, religious background, and social position, honoring each one's equal and unsurpassable dignity and worth.

(Gen. 1:26-27, Matt. 28:19, 2 Cor. 5:18, Gal. 3:28, James 2:1-7, Rev. 22:17)

MISSIONS

The Church is compassionately for the world, not against it; arising from faith, our activity for good in the world looks like salt, light, yeast, and a pleasing fragrance.

(Matt. 5:13-16, Matt. 9:36, Matt. 13:33, John 3:16, 2 Cor. 2:14, Gal. 5:6)

NOTES

* The word ‘catholic’ here refers to Christ’s global, universal Church, not to the Roman Catholic Church.

** ‘Baptism’ is immersion. While this immersion is demonstrated in the sacramental act of water baptism, the underlying immersion is into the name and ways of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

*** The word ‘politics’ often carries a negative connotation. It can be associated with power struggles, strife, demonization, and hatred. Here, the word is used in a more classical sense, referring to governance and how people live together for the common good. These are a necessary part of any healthy society or kingdom.