Our Vision

Living in the Text. Bring Hope, Light, & Life. 

 
 

We believe that we have been put on this planet to bring the Hope, Light, and Life of Jesus, where we live, breathe, laugh and love. How do we learn to live this way? The answer is found by growing as we live in the text. We invite you to attend one of our services and be sure to stop at the Connection Wall in the lobby. We would love to meet you! May the Lord bless you, keep you, and make His face shine upon you. If you would like to receive our Living In The Text daily emails, go to the bottom of the page to sign up. It's that easy!

Statement of Faith & Guiding principles

 

    1. The Bible is completely inspired by God and serves as our authoritative guide for faith and practice. (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:21)

    2. There is only One God who eternally exists as the Trinity in three distinct persons: the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16-17)

    3. Jesus Christ is God’s Son and was born of the virgin Mary. He is both completely man and completely God. (Matthew 1:22-23; Hebrews 4:14-15; John 8:58; Philippians 2:5-11)

    4. God created the universe from nothing and sustains it by His power. All things were made through and for Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17)

    5. Humanity was made in the image of God as male and female. All life is sacred. We are called to love, protect, and serve all as Christ’s body: the unborn, the elderly, the immigrant, the refugee, and our enemy, regardless of ethnicity, culture, socio-economic status, or political affiliation. (Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 58:6-8, Matthew 5:43-48)

    6. Humanity sinned in the Garden of Eden and has been separated from God because of sin. This relationship can only be restored through the forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection. This forgiveness is received through belief in this truth, an acceptance of Christ as Lord, and repentance from sin. Following Jesus is a life-long path to God that is defined by relationship and submission. (John:1-18; John 3:16-17; Romans 3:21-24; Romans 5:12-19; Romans 6:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5)

    7. There is one Holy Universal Church that has a mission to evangelize the world, disciple followers of Christ, worship God, and provide Christ-like works of compassion to all. (Daniel 7:13-14; John 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 4:11-16; James 1:27)

    8. New believers should be baptized in water to signify the death of their old selves and the new life they have found in Christ. This act was modeled by Jesus and taught in the early church. (Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:37-39)

    9. Holy Communion is the regular reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice and the new covenant He created through His death. This tradition was taught by Christ, practiced by the early Church, and taken weekly at Church 3434 as we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Only those who profess Jesus as Lord should partake in the meal. (Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

    10. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a free gift for all believers that empowers Christians to live as witnesses of Jesus Christ. Believers receive this gift by asking Jesus for His baptism, and this prayer was often accompanied by the laying on of hands by elders of the church. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit often produces spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, words of wisdom, etc. The greatest proof of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit should be the increasing presence of the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Joel 2:28-29; John 14:15-17; Acts 1:5-8; Acts 19:6; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Galatians 5:22-25)

    11. Marriage is a covenant made before God between one man and one woman. Sexual immorality distorts God’s original intent of marital relationships. (Genesis 1:27; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:26-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

    12. Jesus will return, judge the world, and renew all of creation. Those who reject Him will be condemned to eternal separation from God in Hell. Those who accept Him as Lord will live in eternal relationship with Him. (Matthew 25:31-33,46; John 3:16-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:11-15)

    1. We exist as individuals and as a church body to live in and radiate the Hope, Light, and Life of Jesus Christ. 

    2. We believe that Jesus is the Thesis, the very One to which all of creation points. We seek to have every aspect of our lives point to His Lordship.

    3. We believe that the Kingdom of God is like a Vortex that draws all people into greater levels of community, growth, service, and overall Christ-likeness.

    4. We are called as a church to Live in the Text, basing our beliefs, actions, and priorities on God’s Word.

    5. We are one family, united in Jesus Christ. We welcome all into God’s intercultural and intergenerational community.

    6. We are one part among many in the global Church. We will support our brothers and sisters across the earth and will work to see God's Kingdom expand in our local community through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.