Core Values
Our core values capture our deepest passions and highest pursuits as followers of Christ. They are essentially the operating principles of the ministry that help us do God's work in God's way for God's glory.
THE GLORY OF GOD
We are passionate about God's glory. The glory of God is God's shining forth all that He is -- e.g., His grace, mercy, love, goodness, power, wisdom, holiness, and justice -- so that we might know, love, worship, and serve Him.
"On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate," (Psalm 145:5)
The highpoint of God's glory is the person and work of Jesus Christ and the great salvation that He accomplished. Man's salvation -- the forgiveness of sins -- is received by grace through faith in Christ. Salvation in Christ is for God's glory, by the work of God's Spirit, and according to God's Word.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We are passionate about Jesus. Jesus is both man and God, and the only Mediator between God and man -- that means He brings God to sinners and, through His life, death, resurrection, and Holy Spirit, reconciles sinners to God. He is the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14; John 3:16).
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." (1 Timothy 2:5)
Jesus' ever-spreading work of bringing salvation to the world is called the kingdom of God, which is an essential part of grasping this core value (see Mark 1:15; John 18:36; Colossians 1:13-14; Matthew 13; 2 Peter 1:11).
THE SALVATION OF MAN
We are passionate about salvation. We are here not only to share and celebrate God's salvation (i.e., fellowship and worship), but also to live in light of God's salvation (i.e., discipleship), and to bring the message of God's salvation to our community and world (i.e., missions).
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)
Mankind was created in God's image but has fallen into spiritual corruption and rebellion against God (i.e., fallen into sin). Salvation is when God saves a person from sin's guilt, power, and eternal consequences. God gives this salvation as a gift of free grace to be received by turning to Jesus Christ in faith, which occurs in the heart, not through outward religion, ritual, or good deeds (Romans 10:8-13).
Salvation includes the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 1:21), being reconciled to God forever (Romans 5:9-11), and the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).
THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE
We are passionate about the Bible. The Bible is our sole authority for all things regarding Christian faith, life, and church practice because it is the inspired Word of God.
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:16)
SPIRIT-FILLED LIVING
We are passionate about walking in God's grace. Given new hearts and lives by the Holy Spirit, Christians are gradually transformed into the character of Christ, and we learn over time to honor Christ in all areas of life. The former is called sanctification, and the latter is called discipleship.
"Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." (1 John 2:6)
"Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us." (1 John 3:24)
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)
SPIRIT-FILLED PREACHING
We are passionate about our need for God's Word and therefore the preaching and teaching of God's Word. The Spirit-fille preaching of God's Word brings about Spiritual life, growth, and health in those who receive it by faith.
"Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life," (John 6:68)
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17)
"Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?" (Galatians 3:2)
"For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. [18] For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:17–18)
Congregational worship is the center of church life, the Spirit-filled preaching of God's Word is the center of congregational worship, and the joyful and earnest proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the center of the Spirit-filled preaching of God's Word.
"To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. [28] Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. [29] For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." (Colossians 1:27–29)
THE CENTRALITY OF LOCAL CHURCHES
We are passionate about God's design for organizing and advancing His kingdom: biblical churches. God organizes his people and advances His kingdom of salvation using churches, which are localized gatherings of Christians who form communities of faith based on the Bible.
"If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)
"Church" means assembly. It has particular reference to an assembly of people who have been called out for a specific purpose. A local church is a group of people called out by God, gathered together, and set apart for God's Name and glory, not their own. They devote themselves to knowing, worshipping, and serving God according to God's Word and in the love, unity, and power of the Holy Spirit.
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20–21)