Our Distinctives

The Holy Spirit: Gifts and Baptism

We believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as described in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12, are active today and are given to build up the church and empower believers in their daily lives.

We believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct work of grace, though it may occur at conversion, in which believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit for greater effectiveness in sharing the gospel. This experience often results in a deeper expression of spiritual gifts, though no single gift is the sole evidence of Spirit baptism.

While this baptism is a one-time event, we believe Scripture calls believers to continually be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), living in ongoing dependence on His presence and power.

Human Sexuality
We believe Scripture teaches that God designed sexual expression to be experienced exclusively within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2; Mark 10; 1 Corinthians 7). All other expressions of sexuality fall outside of God’s design.

We believe every person is created in the image of God and has inherent value and dignity. Therefore, we are committed to loving all people unconditionally, welcoming all who come, and serving without hesitation. At the same time, we call all people to align every area of life with God’s will as revealed in Scripture.

Women in Ministry Leadership
We believe that God calls and equips both men and women for leadership in the church, including pastoral ministry. Throughout Scripture, we see God using women in significant leadership roles in both the Old and New Testaments and in the early church.

While we acknowledge passages such as 1 Corinthians 14 and 1 Timothy 2, we understand these within their historical and cultural context and interpret them alongside the broader witness of Scripture. Therefore, we affirm that women are called, gifted, and authorized by God to serve in all areas of ministry leadership.

A Kingdom Mission
We believe we are part of the greater Body of Christ, participating in God’s ongoing work of establishing His Kingdom on earth. The church serves as an instrument of reconciliation, advancing the Kingdom of God in our community and beyond.

We are committed to partnership with other Christ-honoring churches in our region and do not view ourselves as in competition with them. Instead, we work together to see the mission of Christ advanced in our county and throughout the world. We regularly pray for and support fellow churches and leaders, asking God to bless and make them fruitful in their ministry.