Statement of Faith

We believe in one God, creator and sustainer of the universe, who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for the sins of the world, was raised bodily and exalted to God’s right hand, where he makes intercession for His own. He will personally come again. We believe that God created humankind, male and female, in His own image. However, everyone has sinned and is guilty before God. As a result, all creation suffers the consequences of the fall and is under God’s judgment.

We believe that because of His love, God sent His Son Jesus Christ, who inaugurated His Kingdom, provided atonement for sin, disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross, reconciling the world to Himself.  He will consummate His Kingdom in righteousness, power, and glory. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who glorifies Jesus Christ, working in all peoples to bring them to believe and obey Christ. The Spirit dwells in those who believe, equipping and empowering them for lives of holiness and fruitful service. 

We believe the Bible to be the divinely inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.

We believe that all who repent and believe in Christ are born into life eternal, delivered from condemnation, and as His Church are called to communicate the Gospel, proclaim the Kingdom, make disciples of all nations and seek to be instruments of righteousness, justice, and healing, all to the glory of God.

We believe in the resurrection of the body, the eternal blessedness of believers in the presence of Christ and the eternal separation of unbelievers from Him.

God’s Instruction

God makes it very clear that we instruct children so they may be prepared to lead a life that is productive and glorifies Him (Exodus 18:20; Proverbs 22:6).  He calls His people to join Him in this, sharing His passion for children and bringing to each child the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed (Is 1:17; Jms 1:27; Mt 25:40).

  • Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not turn away from it.

  • Exodus 18:20 You must instruct them in the laws and teachings, show them how to live and tell them what to do.

 

Responsive Love

To act upon God’s call to care for children is not merely a matter of duty or reaction to need.  It is first a response to Gospel:  the loving Father who sought us, adopted us, and invites us to live as His sons and daughters (Ps 127:3; Mt 19: 13-14; Mk 10:16; 1 Jn 2: 14).

  • Psalms 127:3 Children are an inheritance from the Lord.  They are a reward from Him.

  • Matthew 19:13-14 Then some of the people brought little children to Jesus to have Him bless them and pray for them.  But the disciples told the people not to do that.  Jesus said, “Don’t stop children from coming to me!  Children like these are part of the Kingdom of God.

  • Mark 10:16 Jesus put His arm around the children and blessed them by placing His hands on them.

  • 1 John 2:14 I’ve written to you, children, because you know the Father.  I’ve written to you, fathers, because you know Christ, who has existed from the beginning.  I’ve written to you, young people, because you are strong and God’s word lives in you.  You have won the victory over the evil one. 

 

Commitment to the Whole Child

To meet only spiritual or only physical needs of a child is incomplete (1 Jn 3:17; Jms 2:16).  Christian love seeks to address both.  Even a cup of water given to quench the momentary thirst of a child is of eternal value (Mt 10:42). So, just as in the ministry of Jesus, we should always hold together the meeting of physical need with the Gospel and our hope that every child will know God’s love deeply and personally.

  • 1 John 3:17  Now, suppose a person has enough to live on and notices another believer in need.  How can God’s love be in that person if he does not bother to help the other believer?

  • James 2:16  and one of you tells that person, “God be with you!  Stay warm, and make sure you eat enough.”  If you do not provide for that person’s physical needs, what good does it do?

  • Mt 10:42  I can guarantee this truth:  “Whoever gives any of my humble followers a cup of cold water because that person is my disciple will certainly never lose his reward.”