THE BIBLE is God's Word and the basis of What We Believeall our beliefs. We believe the Bible is how God reveals truth to us and that His Word is completely true. Because of this, we base everything we believe - whether in the areas of religion, science, politics, family life, or anything else - on the Bible.
GOD exists in three equal Persons (the Trinity): God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
MANKIND is created in God's image but, because the first man and woman disobeyed God, we are all born with a natural inclination to do wrong (sin). Therefore, we are in need of someone to save us from our sins.
JESUS is the Son of God who was born to the virgin Mary, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, was buried for three days, rose from the dead, and went back to heaven. He did this to fulfill God's plan and pay for our sins through His death. He also will some day return to set up and reign over His kingdom.
SALVATION is an undeserved gift of God (grace) to everyone who will believe in Jesus (faith) and ask Him to forgive them of their sins. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. Also, once a person makes this decision and truly asks Jesus to be his Lord and Savior, they are adopted into God's family and can never lose the gift of salvation.
CHRISTIANS are those who have made the decision described above and should now live to please God, obeying and serving Him with all of their lives. We also should tell others about how God has changed our lives and how they can know Jesus as well.
THE HOLY SPIRIT lives inside of Christians and helps them in many ways. He teaches us, guides us, tells us when we're wrong, comforts us, reminds us of God's promises, and is with us every step of life's journey.
THE CHURCH is not a building but is made up of everyone who truly believes in Jesus Christ as their Savior. We meet together in "local churches" because it's important to worship, learn, pray, and serve God together. By getting together, we also encourage one another in the faith.
HEAVEN AND HELL are two very real places and the only destinations for people after they die physically. If we place our trust in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sins, we can rest assured that we will go to heaven. If we trust in anything else - going to church, being a good person, taking the sacraments, other religions - we will go to hell. Heaven is a free gift but it is a gift that must be received.