You will find the following beliefs and practices to be at the very core of our existence.
God
We believe that God exists as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. He does not function as a watchmaker who wound up the world and took a backseat to the chaos that would unfold. Instead, he exists to love, liberate, and reconcile all of creation. (Gen.1:1, 26-27; Psalm 111; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Jesus
We believe that Jesus is who he said he is, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He is co-equal with the Father. Born of a virgin, he lived a sinless life, suffered at the hands of those who opposed him, yet he rose again after 3 days in the tomb. He shows us the way to a life of love, compassion, justice, forgiveness, and mercy. (Luke 4:18-19, Phil. 2:5-11, Col. 1:15-20, Heb.1:1-4)
Holy Spirit
We believe in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Co-equal with God and Jesus, the Spirit is present to point us to the risen Lord. The Holy Spirit exists to sanctify and functions communally to draw us into the holiness of God. While Satan exists to distract us from God's holiness, the Holy Spirit continually transforms us into the image of Jesus. He also gives each Christ-follower a spiritual gift or gifts for the purpose of living a life that draws people to God. (John 14:16-17, Rom.8:1-11, 1 Cor.12:12-26)
Transformation/discipleship
When Jesus calls people, he invites them to take seriously two words, "Follow me." The Christian life is about surrendering to the power of the Spirit to transform our speech, thoughts, and entire being into the image of Christ. As Christ-followers, we desire for every member to courageously strive to live into everything Jesus is about. Spiritual disciplines or spiritual habits are essential for the journey. Prayer, Bible Intake, fasting, service, tithing, hospitality, and Sabbath rest are just a few spiritual disciplines that serve a formative function (Mark 1:15-20, Luke 9:23-24, 2 Cor.3:18, Gal.4:19, Eph.4:11-16)
Community
God did not create humans to be alone. The only thing wrong in the garden (Gen.1-2) is that man is alone. As Christ-followers, we are called by God to live in relationships with our fellow human beings. The place where connections run the deepest are at tables. Every Sunday, we emphasize the "Lord's Table" as a formative moment that draws us into a closer relationship with God and with people. (Gen.2:18, Psalm 133:1, Acts 2:42, 1 Cor.12:12-13, Gal.6:2)
Living as a "Sent People"
The ardent question is not, "Does a church have a mission?" But, "Does a mission have a church?" We are a community of God's people sent into the world. As passionate Christ-followers, God doesn't call us to focus on "coming" into the church building, but he bids us to "go out" and to live our faith in the streets, homes, and workplaces. (Matt.5:13-16, 28:18-20; Luke 4:18-19)
