Our Vision

 

To rely on Holy Scripture as God's only source for spiritual Truth

2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

We believe the Bible to be not only the inspired Word of God, but also to be His finished and complete revelation, which contains everything we need for life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3). This means that all that can be learned about God or His ways has been preserved for us within the pages of the Bible -- God has left nothing out. Therefore, in matters of spiritual, emotional, and mental health, as well as all matters of doctrine, practice, and church life, we look not to human wisdom, but to the wisdom of God preserved in the Bible (1 Cor 1:19-25; 3:18-20). This also means that in determining what is of God or what is false, we look not to power, experiences, spiritual feelings, or to what seems to work (Mat 7:22-23), but only to the Word. Within the Bible we believe that God has preserved His heart and mind for His people, and so we make it our goal to know the Word, studying it chapter by chapter and verse by verse.  

To increase in our fear of God

Psa 34:11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Throughout the Bible the fear of God is presented as a significant trait of godliness and the most important outlook to have (Eccl 12:13; Deut 10:12). In fact, it says that the very foundation for wisdom and knowledge is rooted in learning the fear of the Lord (Prov 9:10; 1:7). We therefore seek to grow not just in our love for God, but in our fear of Him as well. Just as the early Church increased in their fear of God (Acts 5:5,11), so also do we seek to know God and learn to take Him as seriously as He deserves.

To promote intimacy with God

John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Our greatest goal is to love God, and because to know Him is to love Him, we desire to know Him intimately. In our pursuit of God we strive to overcome and avoid everything which hampers us (Heb 12:1). One key obstacle which acts as a substitute for intimacy with God is legalism (Gal 4:9; 3:1-3, 10). Legalistic beliefs and practices not only contradict biblical teaching on salvation and reconciliation with God, but horribly hamper the Christian life, because they effectively pacify the conscience, negating the need for a close relationship with Christ. We therefore make it our goal to avoid legalism and refrain from setting extra-biblical, "Phariseeistic" standards for anyone. We desire to intently pursue a high standard of godliness based on the clear teachings of Scripture, but we will never go beyond the Word in establishing church standards. To us, pursuing intimacy with God is only possible when we forsake all aspects of legalism and Phariseeism, and the proud, critical spirit that they foster, and pursue only Him.

To strengthen the family

Mal 4:6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers ..."

With such intense disintegration of families today, it is our goal to do everything possible to strengthen them. We therefore keep families together, and minimize church activities or programs which separate children from their parents. Since all admonitions in Scripture regarding the training of children are given to parents and not to church leaders, we make the equipping of parents a high priority; we sponsor classes, and provide free tapes and books to aid parents in raising their families for Christ. We are purposed in doing everything possible to turn the hearts of the children and parents to each other (Mal 4:6).  And with the rising divorce rate among Christians, reflecting a lack of biblical understanding of marriage, we have regular Bible studies for men and for women to encourage them in their roles as husbands and as wives (Eph 5:20-33; Tit 2:4-5).

 

To reach the world with the gospel of Christ

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Being convinced by the Word of God that we are to be light to a dark and dying world (Mat 5:13-16), it is our goal to bring Jesus to all those we meet, as well as to those around the world who have never heard of Him.  To this end, we send out and support missionaries around the world, and sponsor evangelistic outreaches to the local community. Although we hope for the salvation of sinners during our weekly Sunday morning gatherings, we view those meetings not as times for drawing in seekers, but for equipping saints for the work of ministry and evangelism (Eph 4:11). We therefore emphasize our responsibility to win the lost for Christ in our daily lives. 

To actively love our neighbors as ourselves

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us ... 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Christ said that His followers would be known by their love for one another (John 13:35). That love, the Bible teaches, consists of faithful commitment and self-sacrificing action (John 15:13). It is our goal therefore, to follow Christ's example and be servants of one another, looking for opportunities to offer practical care in times of need, even simplifying our lives so that we can fulfill the law of Christ. Also, because God loved us while we were helpless and in sin (Rom 5:8-10), and in response to the love God put in our hearts, we make it our goal to express love in practical ways to the needy in the world around us (Gal 6:10). 

To identify with the persecuted Church

Heb 13:3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering...

The Scriptures clearly teach that we are not to forget those who suffer for Jesus (Heb 13:3; Mat 25:36). We therefore, speak, read, and pray about those who are persecuted for Christ in communist and Muslim lands, as well as, financially support organizations such as Voice of the Martyrs, which reach out to those who suffer.