Your Greater Destiny : Pursuing Purpose

·︎·︎·︎ About Us ·︎·︎·︎

VISION
A place where everyone Matters; everyone Ministers; and everyone Moves toward the Promise, Plan, and Purposes of God

MISSION
To Declare the Gospel; Develop the faithful; and Direct everyone to their GREATER DESTINY in Christ!

WHAT WE BELIEVE

God: We believe the Holy Bible teaches that there is one and only one true and living God, Who is self-existent, and eternal “I AM”, the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. That He has chosen to reveal Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the same in essence, though distinct in character. The mode of His existence, however, is a subject far above the understanding of man. He is the fountain of all perfection and happiness. He is glorified by the whole of creation and is worthy to be loved and served by all intelligence. He, therefore, is the only proper object of worship (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 3:14; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19 & 20; Job 11:7; Psalms 19:1 &: 2, 145:10, 150:6; Exodus 34:14).

Jesus The Christ: We believe that in Jesus Christ dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). He is the LORD God who has revealed Himself as the son of God and the son of Man. He was born miraculously of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35). He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22). He came into the world to save men from the guilt and condemnation of sin (John 3:16), offering His blood as an atonement (I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21) and making it available to all who exercise faith in Him. His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Corinthians 15:4), His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9,11; Hebrews 1-3), and His Divinity is proved from His titles, His attributes, and His works (John 1: 14; Luke 1:26-35; Acts 4: 12; Acts 16:31) (John 1:1-2 & 14; I Timothy 3:16; Acts 7:37-38).

The Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Bible ascribe to the Holy Spirit the acts and attributes of an intelligent being. He guides, knows, moves, gives information, commands, forbids, sends forth, reproves, as the instrumental segment of the God Head in the liberal dispersion of spiritual gifts, and can be sinned against (John 16:13; I Corinthians 2: 11; Genesis 1:2; Acts 10:19; Acts 13:2; Acts 16:6; Acts 13:4; John 16:8; Mark 3:29; Acts 7:51; Ephesians 4:30; I Corinthians 12). Creation, inspiration, giving of life, and sanctification are some of the works of God are ascribed to the Holy Spirit (Job 33:4; II Peter 1:21; I Peter 3: 18; I Corinthians 6: 11).

The Bible: We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God equally in all parts and without error in its original manuscript, absolutely infallible, and our source of supreme revelation from the LORD God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason; and it is, therefore, our infallible rule of faith and practice (II Timothy 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 3:15-17; I Thessalonians 2: 13).

The Fall of Man: We believe that our first parents, in their original state, were upright. They naturally preferred and desired to obey the Creator, and had no preference or desire to transgress His will until they were influenced and inclined by Satan to disobey the LORD God’s commands. Previous to this, the only tendency of their nature was to do righteousness. We believe that man by transgression fell from a state of righteousness and holiness in which he was first created, into total spiritual depravity, a state of death in trespasses and sins in which he is held as a slave of sin and an enemy of God, being unable to attain divine righteousness by his own efforts, but must be redeemed and delivered by the power of the gospel. Hence, none, by virtue of any natural goodness and mere work of their own can become the children of God (Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 3:1-7; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Psalms 51:5; John 6:44; Romans 5:12-21; I Corinthians 2: 14; I Corinthians 15:1-4).

Salvation of Man: We believe that salvation is an inclusive word which gathers into itself all the redemptive acts and processes, i.e., justification, redemption, deliverance, imputation, sanctification, glorification, etc. The Hebrew and Greek words for salvation imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness. Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without human works (Romans 3:27-28, 4: 1-8, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8).

Responsibility of the Believer: We believe each Christian is called and chosen in God to be a priest unto God to offer up the sacrifice of praise (the fruit of his lips), to give of his time, strength, and material possessions to the service of the LORD. All believers have been purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ and are no longer their own, but belong to the Father to be used for His glory; and as possessions of the LORD, must give themselves to serving Him, finding their place in the Church, His Body, and making themselves available by being present when the Church comes together, that they might be able to minister their gifts and talents for the building up of the Body of Christ (John 15:16; Ephesians 1:4-5; I Corinthians 6:20, 12:18; Hebrews 13: 15; I Peter 2:5,9). We believe it is essential that each believer lay a foundation of Biblical truth and experience upon which he/she builds his/her life. These foundation stones are: repentance from dead works, faith toward God, doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment, all of which are prerequisites to going on to perfection (spiritual maturity) (Hebrews 6:1-2).

Repentance: We believe that repentance is a gift from the LORD God. It is simply not true that a person can repent at any time. Repentance is dependent upon the convicting action of the Holy Spirit in the lives of sinners and believers. The conviction of the Holy Spirit, which often accompanies the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, will result in the revelation of the sinfulness of self which should lead to Godly sorrow. Remorse, or worldly sorrow, is a feeling of deep regret, hopelessness or even despair. It does not lead to constructive change. On the other hand Godly sorrow, which may at times be mistaken for worldly sorrow, produces repentance which causes us to turn away from sin and selfishness and to receive faith for change. Worldly sorrow is destructive, but repentance is life giving. Repentance changes the way we feel and act about sin, self, and the LORD God. Repentance is a total change of heart, mind, attitude, emotions, will, action, and lifestyle flowing from the turmoil and sorrow of Holy Spirit conviction of sin (II Corinthians 7:10; Psalms 51; Acts 11:18; II Tim. 2:25; Genesis 6:3; Romans 1:18-32; Matt. 9:12-13).

Faith: We believe that faith without works is dead. We do not believe, as a matter of the fundamental beliefs and doctrines of this church that any matter can be believed without there being an accompanying and corresponding action. Our faith is an active faith that requires the doing of acts in the world. Our faith is not a passive or complacent system of intellectual belief or assent to doctrine but is an active force in our lives that requires and results in actions being taken. A living, active faith will be manifested not only in belief and mental assent but in actions expressing and based upon that belief. If a belief is truly held it will be acted upon. The act is as much a fundamental aspect of our faith as the belief upon which the act is based (James 2:14-26; Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 5:16; 7:21; & 24-27; 16:27; II Corinthians 5:10; Revelations 2:23; 22:12).

Water Baptism: We believe water baptism by immersion is commanded of every believer and is a necessary requisite for going on to spiritual maturity. We believe that it a necessary part of the “doctrine of baptisms”, (Hebrews 6:2), performed only upon repentant believers in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ (which we believe to be the fulfillment of the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) to the saving of their souls and for the remission of sin with giving a clear evidence of their salvation (Matthew 28: 19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12). Those who have been partakers of Christ by faith in His shed blood are commanded to be water baptized (by immersion into Christ). Through this act of faith, we participate in Christ’s burial and resurrection, and we further believe that it is the means whereby we receive the new covenant sign of “circumcision of heart” (Genesis 17:1-4; John 3:1-6; Romans 2:28-29; Colossians 2:9-13; I Peter 3:18-22; I John 5:8). Thus, they are delivered from the dominion and rule of sin.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit: We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit according to (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6); that it is the seal of the New Covenant relationship, (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22), and that speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and “the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service in love” (Acts 1:8, 2:4, 2:42-43, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9, 19:6; Ephesians 1: 13; I John 5:8-12) is often an accompanying sign of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:17). We further believe that this baptism is a necessary and vital experience for every believer. We also hold that the evidence of the baptism (or infilling) of the Holy Spirit is one’s response to the Word of God (John 16:13), a Christ-like life, showing forth Christ’s character & nature, and experiencing & manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit (John 15:26; 16:14; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:18-21).Those who seek the fullness of the Spirit shall receive prayer for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15-17, 19:2-6).

Laying on of hands: We believe that power, anointing, or any other necessary quality can be transmitted from one person touching another. Confirmation is administered by the laying on of hands of the presbytery to confirm the believer in the faith and service of Christ. This is done after the believer has been instructed and established in the doctrines of Christ (Ecclesiastes 5:4–5; Acts 14:21-23, 15:32,41; I Timothy 3:14-).

Resurrection of the Dead: We believe that the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church (I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 15:51).

Final Judgment: We believe that there will be a final judgment in which the wicked and the dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the “Book of Life,” together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation19:20, 20:11-15, 21:8).

The Body of Christ: We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ expressed as the church individual, the church local, and the church universal and invisible (all saints of all places and all times united together under one Lord), and that the basis of our fellowship is in Jesus Christ, in the power of the Spirit (Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6; I John 1:6-7). As such, we believe the church to be more than just a building or a gathering of people. It is a body living in relationship and harmony under the direction of the head, Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 6:15; II Corinthians 1:1; Romans 16:5; I Peter 2:4-5; Ephesians 2:19-22; I Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:11-16). The local church is an expression of the community and fellowship of God.

Tithing, Offerings, and Giving of Alms: Both Old and New Testament scriptures teach tithing, offerings, and alms as the LORD God’s financial plan for the support of His work. These are to be practiced continually by all believers and are outward expressions of the unity of the church, the Body of Christ, as it joins together in support of the work of the LORD God (Genesis 14:18-20, 28:20-22; Numbers 18:8-11; Deuteronomy 14:28-29, 15:7-11, 26; Proverbs 11:24-25, 14:21, 29:7; Ezekiel 44; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Lu. 11:41-42, 12:33; 1 Corinthians 16:22; 2 Corinthians 8:7-8; 9:6-9).

Help of the Poor: We believe that it is the intent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to feed the hungry (Matthew 25:34-40; Isaiah 58:7-8); to care for the poor (Matthew 19:21; Psalms 112:9; II Corinthians 9:6-9); and to care for the widows and orphans (James 1:27). We further believe that such ministry should be toward His name to both saints and un-believers (Hebrews 6:10).

The Restoration of the Church: We recognize and believe that the Church in these last days has been and is in a revival of restoration because much truth was lost from the Church during the medieval times (also known as the Dark Ages). We maintain that the LORD God, in this hour is moving to restore the Church to the complete and full New Testament pattern, power and practice, but shall not be limited to just this. We, therefore, shall examine all new doctrinal concepts in the light of the full revealed Word of God, and if they shall be found to be in harmony with the Holy Bible, they shall be accepted, taught, and practiced. We believe that a complete revelation and truth of God is already written and contained in the scripture and that its progressive unfolding will only add to, and not take from, what the LORD God has already restored to the Church (Acts 3:21; 15:15; II Peter 1:20; Eph. 3:1-6; Rev. 10:6-7).

Of the World to Come: We believe that the end of this age is rapidly approaching (I Peter 4:7). We believe in “That Blessed Hope” – the personal, imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Acts 1: 11; I Thessalonians 4: 13-18). We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the lost without Christ (Acts 24:15; Matthew 24:31-46; Revelation 22:11).

A New Heaven and Earth: We believe that, according to His promise, there shall be a new heaven and a new earth, “…wherein dwelleth righteousness” (Isaiah 65:17, 66:22; II Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:22).