We are a congregation of baptized believers. We unashamedly believe that the historical person called, Jesus of Nazareth, was the Son of God. We further believe that Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity and that forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal life are only gained by believing in Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death on the cross.
In a culture of churches practicing a version of lite-Christianity, we strive to be a real church. We believe a real church requires real people with real relationships. Real people know they are far from perfect. We are sinners saved by grace. Our church is not a showcase for saints, but a hospital for sinners. We live life together in real relationships. We need real, authentic relationships with one another and with God. A real church requires horizontal and vertical relationships that are more than superficial.
When a church has real people in real relationships with each other and God, it produces real disciples. Real disciples love God, love one another, and love the world. This is evident from the basic New Testament teachings of Christ. He said in Matthew 22:37, You shall love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Real disciples love God. Jesus also said in John 13:35, By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Real disciples love one another. In Matthew 22:39, he told us, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. In John 3:16, we read that it was God’s love for the world that was the motivation for the cross. Real disciples love the world.
Pursuing real discipleship by loving God, loving one another and the world, is how we seek to be a real church in a culture of pale imitations. In other words, a real disciple worships, connects, and serves. The ultimate expression of discipleship is service to God by serving others inside and outside the church. Living out these principles in our pursuit of realness results in our church having several ministries.