OUR BELIEFS
GOD
We believe in One God who eternally exists in three persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and co-eternal, which is the Trinity. Genesis 1:1-3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; Colossians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Timothy 1:17
HUMANS
We believe humans were created in the image of God and are valuable. God’s original design was for all of humanity to have perfect fellowship with Him. But because of sin, fellowship with God was broken and creation in its original design was broken. Humans through their own efforts cannot restore this brokenness. Genesis 1:26-27, 31; 3:1-8; 11:1-9; Romans 3:9-10, 23; 5:12-14; Ephesians 2:1-3
THE GOSPEL
We believe in the Gospel: that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. That He was crucified on a cross for our sins and raised from the dead three days later. Matthew 16:16; Mark 10:45; Acts 26:23; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 20; Galatians 1:4; Colossians 1:15; 2:13-14; 1 Peter 2:24; Revelation 1:5
SALVATION
We believe the good news that all who believe the Gospel are born again by the Holy Spirit and become children of God and heirs of eternal life. Thus, eternal life is totally a work of grace, a gift of God and not a result of any good works or human efforts on our part. John 3:3, 5, 16; Romans 3:23-28; 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 2:16; 4:4-7; Ephesians 2:8- 9; Titus 3:5
THE WORD OF GOD
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining how followers of Jesus should live their lives. Matthew 5:17-18; Psalm 119:9, 11; John 10:35; 17:17; Romans 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 3:15-16
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe in the ongoing process of spiritual growth of the Christ-follower through the Holy Spirit and God’s word. Each person is to grow in their knowledge of God’s word and in developing and employing their spiritual gifts through community, so others may come to know Christ and the Church be built up into maturity. John 8:31-32; 14:16-17; 16:13; 17:17; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 5:11-14
THE CHURCH
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ that is made up of all Christ-followers. Its mission is to glorify God by fulfilling the mission of God by living out the image of God. Every Christ-follower is an integral part of the Church creating a spiritual unity of brothers and sisters. The initial evidence for joining the Church is a commitment to Christ and water baptism. The continual evidence of unity with the church is the Lord’s Supper (communion). Matthew 26:26-29; John 17:11, 20-23; 1 Corinthians 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-25; 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22
INFILLING OF THE SPIRIT
We believe all believers are enQtled to and should seek the promise of the Father, the bapQsm in the Holy Spirit, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early ChrisQan Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the giRs and their uses in the work of the ministry. Acts 1:5,8; Acts 2:1–21; Acts 8:14–20; Acts 10:44–48
BIBLICAL MARRIAGE
Biblical marriage has only one meaning and is clearly defined in scripture as a covenant: a sacred bond uniting one man (born a man) and one woman (born a woman) into a union for life, instituted by God (Matthew 19:4-6). God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (I Corinthians 6:18, 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4). The marriage covenant is between God and one’s spouse, should not be taken lightly. Genesis 2:22-24; Ephesians 5:22-33; Mark 10:6-9; Galatians 5:24-25
IN THE END
We believe that Jesus Christ will return physically to earth to set up His Kingdom. This will occur at a time no one knows except the Father. At His return the resurrection of Christ-followers and unbelievers will take place. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, which will be the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The devil, who is working in the world to destroy the souls of people, along with all his angels, and all who do not receive Christ as their Savior, will eternally perish in the lake of fire, which is Hell. Matthew 4:1-11; 5:3, 12; 6:20; 24:30; 25:34, 41; Mark 9:43-48; John 8:24, 44; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 9:27 Revelation 14:9-11; 20:1-15; 21-22
WATER BAPTISM
Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new believer is commanded by the word of God to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We do not baptize children before they have been able to make a personal choice to follow the Lord themselves. However, we offer child dedication for children younger than elementary age. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; Acts 10:47-48
COMMUNION
Observance of the Lord’s Supper is a unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. This sacrament connects us continually to the Lord and to his people. Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25
Our Leadership
Pastor Dani and Matt are both from the Orlando area. They have been married for 14 years, and are parents to two incredible kids. They have served in pastoral ministry for the whole of their marriage and are excited to be planting a church in their hometown. They love taking family trips to new places and enjoy good books and good coffee. Matt is a Star Wars encyclopedia and Dani can quote just about any movie. Both are ordained ministers. Pastor Dani has a BS in Pastoral Ministry from Southeastern University and an MA in Leadership from Asbury Theological Seminary. Matt has a BA in Biblical Studies from SUM Bible College and an MA in Biblical Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary.