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We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is authoritative and infallible in the original writings.
We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of God the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is essential for the salvation of lost and sinful man.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Jesus Christ
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| Convictions |
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People around the world are actively looking for hope. Common myth: People are basically content and shouldn't be bothered.
All Christians are called to share their reason for hope and to make disciples. Common myth: You must be in full-time ministry or have the gift of evangelism.
Young people are looking for a cause to join. Common myth: Young people are cynical and lack initiative.
When hungry Christians experience Jesus' model of discipleship, they find it irresistible and they are mobilized. Common myth: Jesus' model of discipleship is so hopelessly spartan and rigorous it must be modified to be embraced.
Efficiently equipping others is the key to the Great Commission. Common myth: More Bible studies are the key to the Great Commission.
To succeed, we must constantly attempt things which are doomed to fail without God. Common myth: I can only do what I have already done.
Prayer is the basis for our direction and power. Common myth: Plans are the basis for our direction, hard work the basis of our power.
Resources are God's problem. Common myth: If it's not in the budget, it can't be done.
Partnership with churches helps involve the whole body of Christ in the Great Commission. Common myth: Missions agencies are not intimately linked with the Church. |
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| Ministry Distinctives |
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We emphasize interdenominationalism.
- The main thing is to make the main thing the main thing.
- We are not dispensational but we work with dispensationalists. We are not charismatic but we work with charismatics.
- We are tolerant of a variety of beliefs and practices within the mainstream of Christian practice. Where there is excess, we seek to be a force for moderation.
- We refuse the posture of the weaker brother.
We emphasize the unity of the body of Christ.
- We are ministers of reconciliation. We seek to bring pastors and churches together in ministry.
- We do not exalt certain gifts, but we understand that the body of Christ needs them all to be balanced.
We emphasize partnership through the local church.
- The local church is God’s vehicle for discipleship. We seek to work through it.
- Where effective local churches don’t exist, we seek to partner with churches in church planting.
- We link sending churches and host churches in the short-term missions process.
We emphasize listening prayer.
- We believe God wants to communicate with us daily in a personal way.
- We ask, listen, and obey: asking God for guidance, listening for His response, and obeying Him to the best of our ability.
We emphasize discipleship over evangelism.
- We understand that Jesus did not call us to get people to say a prayer but to enter into a lifestyle. We balance boldness with love.
- We look for opportunities to be witnesses, but we seek to ensure followup
We emphasize the church without walls.
- When ministering, we would rather be in the streets than in the church.
- We go to those needing ministry rather than expecting them to come to us.
- The Church is not a building or a denomination.
We minister first to the poor, the oppressed, and the hopeless.
- Our ministry focus is not the rich or intellectual. We look for the lost sheep that society shuns.
- We emulate Jesus in His focus.
- In a given city, we will go to that darkest and most hopeless place first.
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