WE BELIEVE
core beliefs
by John Kramer
It’s really all about connection and relationship, yet we’ve been told it’s rule following and good behavior. Jesus came to restore our connection and deepen our relationship with the Father.
The Old Testament was to reveal the severity of how one sin contaminated all of mankind. New Testament; Jesus came to reveal the Father. The Father looked down and saw a planet full of orphans and sent Jesus to rescue us.
The truth of the Father’s character is He is love! He is kind, gentle and incredibly patient. His love is a safe place, His love never stops believing in us, His love never fails, never keeps a record of wrong, and never gives up. He.never.stops.loving. Jesus came to reveal the Father, so this is His character too. We are to receive this kind of love first before we are able to give it away to others.
The Holy Spirit carries, and is, the most powerful force in the universe; God’s love! The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, which is Jesus! The Holy Spirit the Comforter; the One who nurtures. The world offers neglect and abandonment. Holy Spirit, the Comforter, comes to nurture us into all Truth where we can experience His love.
God's design is for us to live an abundant life, which happens when we step into our true identity of who He created and called us to be. To walk in the fullness of our identity,
Jesus came to set (us) the captives free. A true life of freedom is not the absence of problems, tests and trials. A true life of freedom is where the Holy Spirit is Lord. Wherever our hearts are completely surrendered to the Spirit, there is FREEDOM.
Our role as pastors and ministers is...to help our people grow in their confidence and discernment as they learn to hear God. We’ve seen that good advice doesn’t tear down strongholds, but hearing God personally speak to you does. As people grow in their confidence, our job is to help them step into their true identity while God restores what’s been stolen from them.
Our desire is...to introduce people to the intimate and life-changing presence of God. This results in God filling their lives with His life and not just with religious activities. We worship God in a way that draws people into His presence. Our preaching and teaching are also designed to reveal God and open the way into His presence and hear His voice. Our children’s ministries are designed by this vision. They’re fun and God-focused, to introduce our children to the life of Jesus Christ, to experience the presence of God together, bringing them into an intimate relationship with God.
Our mission is...To train up an army of set free, discipled, equipped, sons and daughters, released into service from God and for His kingdom.
Our vision is...Encounter...Hear...Identity...To see all people develop an intimate relationship with God. We believe that programs alone cannot change people’s hearts. However, an encounter with the living God always changes people.
Our purpose is...Identity to Freedom!
Our priority is...For each of us to become the person God created us to be, no matter what we have been through or are still struggling with.
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God. Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22 | Psalm 90:2 | Matthew 28:19 | 1 Peter 1:2 | 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to bring life to dead souls, atoning for sin, by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King. Matthew 1:22,23 | Isaiah 9:6 | John 1:1-5,14:10-30 | Hebrews 4:14-15 | 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 | Romans 1:3-4 | Acts 1:9-11 |
1 Timothy 6:14-15 | Titus 2:13
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He provides the power for living, the understanding of spiritual truth, guidance, and gives every follower of The Way spiritual gifts. Acts 1:8 | 1 Corinthians 3:17 |
John 16:7-13, 14:16-17 | Galatians 5:25 | 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16 | Ephesians 1:13, 5:18
About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error.
2 Timothy 3:16 | 2 Peter 1:20-21 | Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6 | Proverbs 30:5
About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God. People are the supreme object of God's creation.
Genesis 1:27 | Psalm 8:3-6 | Isaiah 53:6a | Romans 3:23 | Isaiah 59:1-2
About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must receive it. Salvation can never come by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness. Romans 6:23 |
Ephesians 2:8-9 | John 14:6, 1:2 | Titus 3:5 | Galatians 3:26 | Romans 5:1, 10:9-10
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God or eternally with God. John 3:16, 14:17 | Romans 6:23, 8:17-18 | Revelation 20:15 | 1 Corinthians 2:7-9