We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God. We believe the Bible is the final authority in every area it addresses for every individual Christian, as well as for the church collectively. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, John 10:35)
We believe there is one God who eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that all things were created by Him and for Him. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:21-22, Matthew 28:19, Colossians 1:16)
We believe that God the Son became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. That He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life (for He was without sin), died a substitutionary death for all mankind, was raised from the dead the third day, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God until His enemies are made His footstool. (John 1:1, 14, Matthew 1:18-25, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Hebrews 10:12-13)
We believe the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We believe the Holy Spirit regenerates and indwells and seals every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that He empowers us to live as witnesses for Christ. We believe that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to His church today. (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-11, Titus 3:5-6, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 1:13-14, Acts 1:8, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12-14, 1 Peter 4:10-11)
We believe that, as a result of the Fall, all people are sinners by nature and in need of a Savior, and that Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior of the world. That salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Him. We believe that all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved eternally. (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:18-19, Matthew 1:21, 1 John 4:14, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9)
We believe there is one church, the body of Christ, consisting of men and women from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. We believe that each local congregation is an expression of that universal church. (Ephesians 4:4, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Revelation 5:9, Acts 2:42-47)
We believe the church will be delivered from the “hour of trial” which will come upon all who dwell on the earth, being “caught up” in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (the Rapture). (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, Revelation 3:10)
We believe the saints will return with Christ to the earth, at His Second Coming, to rule and reign with Him. (Jude 1:14, Revelation 19:11-16, Revelation 20:4)
We believe in the pre-millennial return of Christ, to sit upon the throne of David and rule over the house of Jacob (Israel), and the entire cosmos, forever. (Revelation 20:1-6, Luke 1:31-33, Isaiah 9:6-7)
We believe in the resurrection of the dead. Some will be raised to life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (hell). We believe that God will create a new heaven and earth in which righteousness will dwell. We believe that the throne of God and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) will be established in the New Jerusalem forever. (Daniel 12:2, John 5:25-29, Revelation 21:1-22:5)
Mathew 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
You desire to meet someone who does not follow Jesus Christ. Mission-minded people follow Jesus’ plan in Luke 10:2 to go work “His harvest.” They actively seek out non-believers for conversations and friendship.
Mission minded people are committed to learning and speaking the language of the culture they are surrounded by. They avoid speaking ‘Christianese’, using pious prayer language, in-house ‘jargon’, and ‘super-spiritual’ talk around non-believers
1 Cor 9: 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
You continually look for creative ways to share the gospel. Mission-minded people find intentional ways to share so that people understand. It is not a “canned presentation” but relative to that person/group. They do the abnormal, irrational, counter-intuitive, and take risks all in an effort to share Christ.
Avoiding ‘we-them’ language, or language that belittles people of different political, spiritual, social positions, or is disrespectful of people who we disagree. Instead they engage people by humbly admitting our weaknesses and failures, while demonstrating the joyful difference the Gospel makes.
You live with a different worldview. You think more about the world, culture, and languages than you do about the tiny place where you live. You understand that the gospel is not just for yourself but for all people. You are committed to getting it out the rest of the world.
We are not to put our trust into worldly things however we do need to know what’s going on in the world. We must have a knowledge and appreciation of the culture’s movies, books, music, etc., in order to understand the culture’s hopes, dreams, stories, and fears. So, we can show people that only Jesus can fulfill their greatest desires.
You hear the voice of God and are obedient. Mission-minded people hear the voice of God and obey Him when He tells them to go across the street, to another town, state or country to share about His redeeming love.
Isaiah 6:8 Lord here I am send me.
Or the heart of Ruth to Naomi - Ruth 1:16 “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
You pray a lot! Praying is a direct link to God. You believe that God will do greater things than we can ever imagine; and you pray for it to happen.
1 Thess 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Romans 12:9-21 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
You make disciples. You constantly ask yourself if what you are doing will result in disciples. If the strategy is only for people to hear, then the gospel will not spread. Mission-minded people know the importance of discipleship.
You meet human needs while sharing the gospel. Mission-minded people believe it doesn’t matter how many wells a person digs or how many orphans they feed if they are not following Christ’s mandate to take the gospel to those who have not heard. They contend that if a person is not sharing Jesus, they are wasting time and money.
You believe that being mission-minded is not a “task.” It’s a lifestyle. You live out missions in your everyday life. From the moment you wake up until you go to bed, your goal is to impact the world around your for Gods glory.
You are relational and a people person like Jesus was. You are willing to leave your own “bubble” to make relationships with those considered the “least of these.” You have an awareness of the people around you and look for ways to build a relationship that will lead to sharing Christ and discipleship.
We are committed to showing Gospel love and tolerance toward those with whom we strongly disagree. One of the biggest criticisms of Christians is that we are intolerant. But since we are saved and driven by grace, we should be the most humble, tolerant people in society. And so this is our commitment.
We are committed to encouraging and celebrating Christians who are advancing the kingdom of God in the public square.
We are committed to demonstrating the unity of the church in the city, celebrating what God is doing in other churches, instead of criticizing other churches. We are committed to developing alliances with other like-minded churches in order to serve our city together, even if it raises some areas of tension