MISSION & BELIEFS

We are a team of broken people looking to Jesus for rest, forgiveness, and life. We are a people who respond to Jesus’ amazing invitation to COME TO HIM (Matt. 11:28-30), BE WITH HIM (John 15:5, 8), and BE SENT BY HIM (John 20:21) for the good of our neighbors and the nations..

We inspire and equip people to enjoy a life changing relationship with Jesus.

We want to make, mature, and multiply disciples in North Liberty/Iowa City by humbly and passionately following Jesus.

We want to fill Eastern Iowa and the nations/the ends of the earth with people who know, enjoy, and live like Jesus.

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three a co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:26-28; I John 5:7; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19.

Jesus is the Son of God, uniquely fully God and fully human. He existed in eternity past, came to earth in the form of a man, and revealed God to us. He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended into Heaven and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. John 1:1-4; 14; 20:28; I Timothy 2:5; Philippians 2:5-11

The Holy Spirit is fully God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, empowering and encouraging them to follow and become more like Jesus. He provides Christians with power for living and understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He also gifts Christians with spiritual gifts that are used to build up other Christians and the church. John 14:16-17; 16:7-15; Romans 8:11; Galatians 5:16, 22-23

The Bible is the inspired Word of God written for all people by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian belief and living. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 5:17-19; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 119:9, 11, 105.

Gospel literally means “Good News”, and is used in the Bible to point us to the gift of salvation God has offered to all people. This gift is centered in the death and resurrection of Jesus, through which He defeated sin and death. By trusting in Jesus’ work on the cross people can be forgiven and saved from the penalty of sin. Eternal life begins the moment a person receives Jesus by faith, God’s gift of salvation. God’s desire is to see this Gospel preached to all nations, which by His plan will happen as heaven will be populated with people from every tribe, language, people, and nation. Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16-17; 5:24; 14:6; Romans 10:9-10; Titus 3:5-6; Acts 16:31; Revelation 5:9-10; 7:9-10

Every person is created by God, in His image, the supreme object of all of Creation. God created humanity for the purpose of knowing and bringing glory to Him. People of every race, ethnicity, gender, and age are created, loved, and valued by God and to be treated with dignity and respect as fellow image bearers. Genesis 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21; Revelation 5:9-10

The local church is a community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. These believers are united and empowered by the Holy Spirit. They gather regularly for preaching and worship, to encourage and care for one another, and to observe the Biblical practices of baptism and communion. These believers then scatter to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as ambassadors to the world, sharing God’s blessings for God’s glory and their joy. Matthew 16:16-18; 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-47; I Corinthians 12:13-31

People were created to live forever. Al will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in joyful relationship with God through forgiveness and salvation. Eternal separation from God is Hell. Eternal existence with God is Heaven. John 3:16-17, 36; John 17:24; Hebrews 9:27-28; Matthew 25:34; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:12-15; 21:8.

Core beliefs lived out in a life will produce humble, joyful, generous, and courageous people who are hungry to know Jesus more and passionate about helping others find joy in Jesus.

Core beliefs lived out will produce homes where Jesus is first, and where husbands and wives keep Jesus at the center of their marriage—providing a beautiful picture of Jesus’ love for His Church. We will see homes where children are taught how to follow Jesus by the word and example of their parents. And we envision families living on mission as a team, pointing people to Jesus through serving their neighbors and church family.

Core beliefs lived out will produce a church of humble servants who worship Jesus, love each other, and use the gifts Jesus has given them to build up and encourage the people of the church to live passionately for Jesus by loving each other and sharing the Gospel together

Core beliefs lived out propel us to be a people sent by Jesus to serve others, to bring life wherever we go, and to share the Gospel (good news) God has given us with people who don’t know Jesus. We strongly believe that every person has value and dignity, created in God’s image.