“We exist to proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ resulting in worship, fellowship, ministry and evangelism in Elgin and throughout the world to the glory of God’s grace.”
Worship
We believe that worship is the heart’s response to the self-revelation of God in Jesus Christ and what He has done as revealed in Holy Scripture. Though man was created for worship, worship cannot be self-generated, or worked up within us. It is primarily a spiritual activity, and must be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The primary purpose of the church coming together is to worship God through the means of prayer, singing, giving, sharing, and responding to God’s Word. Our desire is that He will cause us to delight in Him above all things, and delight in our praise which is made acceptable only through Jesus Christ. Moreover, our longing is that He will draw near and minister to us, making us aware of His presence, strengthening our faith, refreshing our spirits, transforming us into the likeness of Christ, motivating us to proclaim the gospel, and live for His glory.
Fellowship
We believe that only through redemption by the blood of Christ do people have fellowship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and with all true believers in Christ. Thus, we proclaim the good news to create a fellowship in Christ and with one another. Our love for Jesus will cause us to love one another in Christ. As His love grows in us, we will desire all the more to assemble together. Fellowship with Christ and one another can only be empowered only by the Holy Spirit. Where there is true biblical fellowship, the church will be built up in the faith and equipped for every good work, experiencing true love and joy in Christ and with one another.
Ministry
We believe that the church has an obligation to nurture and mature in the faith those who are followers of Jesus Christ. To carry out this ministry God has given spiritual gifts to quip and enrich the church until He returns. These gifts are given for the work of the ministry, not as a source of pride or a mark of maturity. Maturity comes through a close walk with Christ and results in obedience to His commands in everyday life. Instead, God measures out the gifts He gives so that there will be no resource lacking. Thus, every gift is important and every member should exercise the giftedness God has given them to honor Him and help the church be everything He designed her to be. It is a call on all of us as believers to care for our fellow members, looking upon their needs as our responsibilities, reflecting the concerns of Christ Himself. Its goal is to present everyone mature in Christ.
Evangelism
Evangelism is the communication of a God given message that is called the gospel regarding how God, our Creator and judge, in mercy, made His Son, Jesus Christ, a perfect, able, and willing Savior of sinners. It’s a call to mankind to come to Jesus Christ in faith and repentance, fully surrendering to His Lordship resulting in forgiveness, eternal life and peace with God. But repentance and faith cannot be produced by manipulating the emotion or coercing the will. They are the results of the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. The Christian faith is designed to be shared with others. If anyone becomes a Christian it is because they were told the gospel by someone. Therefore, the entire church must be personally and strategically involved, both locally, and throughout the world. The Great Commission of our Lord is given to the church not as a suggestion or an option, but demanded of every true believer to proclaim the gospel, depending upon the power of the Holy Spirit and the promise of Jesus Christ.
“We exist to proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ resulting in worship, fellowship, ministry and evangelism in Elgin and throughout the world to the glory of God’s grace.”
Worship
We believe that worship is the heart’s response to the self-revelation of God in Jesus Christ and what He has done as revealed in Holy Scripture. Though man was created for worship, worship cannot be self-generated, or worked up within us. It is primarily a spiritual activity, and must be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The primary purpose of the church coming together is to worship God through the means of prayer, singing, giving, sharing, and responding to God’s Word. Our desire is that He will cause us to delight in Him above all things, and delight in our praise which is made acceptable only through Jesus Christ. Moreover, our longing is that He will draw near and minister to us, making us aware of His presence, strengthening our faith, refreshing our spirits, transforming us into the likeness of Christ, motivating us to proclaim the gospel, and live for His glory.
Fellowship
We believe that only through redemption by the blood of Christ do people have fellowship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and with all true believers in Christ. Thus, we proclaim the good news to create a fellowship in Christ and with one another. Our love for Jesus will cause us to love one another in Christ. As His love grows in us, we will desire all the more to assemble together. Fellowship with Christ and one another can only be empowered only by the Holy Spirit. Where there is true biblical fellowship, the church will be built up in the faith and equipped for every good work, experiencing true love and joy in Christ and with one another.
Ministry
We believe that the church has an obligation to nurture and mature in the faith those who are followers of Jesus Christ. To carry out this ministry God has given spiritual gifts to quip and enrich the church until He returns. These gifts are given for the work of the ministry, not as a source of pride or a mark of maturity. Maturity comes through a close walk with Christ and results in obedience to His commands in everyday life. Instead, God measures out the gifts He gives so that there will be no resource lacking. Thus, every gift is important and every member should exercise the giftedness God has given them to honor Him and help the church be everything He designed her to be. It is a call on all of us as believers to care for our fellow members, looking upon their needs as our responsibilities, reflecting the concerns of Christ Himself. Its goal is to present everyone mature in Christ.
Evangelism
Evangelism is the communication of a God given message that is called the gospel regarding how God, our Creator and judge, in mercy, made His Son, Jesus Christ, a perfect, able, and willing Savior of sinners. It’s a call to mankind to come to Jesus Christ in faith and repentance, fully surrendering to His Lordship resulting in forgiveness, eternal life and peace with God. But repentance and faith cannot be produced by manipulating the emotion or coercing the will. They are the results of the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. The Christian faith is designed to be shared with others. If anyone becomes a Christian it is because they were told the gospel by someone. Therefore, the entire church must be personally and strategically involved, both locally, and throughout the world. The Great Commission of our Lord is given to the church not as a suggestion or an option, but demanded of every true believer to proclaim the gospel, depending upon the power of the Holy Spirit and the promise of Jesus Christ.