What We Believe

Our mission is to make and mature disciples for Jesus Christ.

We are a disciple-making church. This is our top priority. Jesus spoke that mission statement to the church when he said to his followers after his resurrection from the dead to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus asked his followers to do what he did with them. He poured his life into them in order that they would pour into others. When we prioritize disciple-making, all else in the life of faith flows from it and the church will flourish.

A mature disciple will:

  • Define their core identity as a Christ-follower
  • Deny self-lordship and control as these belong to the Lord
  • Pursue only hopes and dreams given by the Lord
  • Invest all they are and have for Christ and his gospel
  • Have a God-shaped view of the world
  • Worship whole-heartedly
  • Desire personal growth in beliefs, spiritual practices, and character
  • Participate in God’s mission through making Christ known
  • Participate in God’s mission through compassion and care
  • Participate in God’s mission through seeking to right societal wrongs
  • Do the work to make and mature others

Statement of Faith

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    JESUS CHRIST

    Jesus Christ is at the center of everything. In the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the eternal Son of God uniquely entered human history and became a real human being, fully human and fully God. We believe that Jesus is the only one who can reconcile us to God. He lived a sinless and exemplary life, died on the cross in our place, and rose again to prove his victory and empower us for life. We believe that Jesus Christ is coming back again as he promised.

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    THE TRINITY

    We believe in one, sovereign, eternal God who is the Creator of all things. He eternally exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is totally loving and completely holy. The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.”

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    THE BIBLE

    Scripture is more than a set of guidelines or ideals. We believe that the Bible is God’s uniquely revealed and written Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the church’s first and final authority in all areas of faith and life. It is accurate, authoritative, and applicable to our everyday lives. The Bible points us to Jesus Christ, who is the living Word of God.

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    THE SEPARATION

    We believe that sin has separated each of us from God and his purpose for our lives. While there is an inalienable glory and nobility to human beings because we are God’s image bearers, this image is now broken and distorted, and even our best and noblest actions are contaminated by sin.

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    THE RECONCILIATION

    We believe that in order to appropriate forgiveness and gain a fresh start with God, we must repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and commit to His will for our lives.

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    THE CHURCH

    Jesus never intended for his followers to go it alone. He calls us into community. We believe in the power and significance of the Church and the necessity of believers to meet regularly together to worship God and enjoy God's presence and work in the community of believers.

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    OUR AFFILIATION

    Our congregation is in the Presbyterian branch of Christianity, and specifically the PC(USA). We are guided by the PC(USA) Book of Order and Book of Confessions. Being Presbyterian shapes our church but does not limit it.

Our Vision

Compelling
Worship

We will provide engaging worship environments that help people deeply connect with God.

Irresistible Community

We will nurture a growing church family with meaningful relationships, warm hospitality, and supportive environments to grow in Christ together.

Developing
People

We will activate the God-given potential in each person, uncovering their gifts and talents, equipping them to take Spirit-led action in our church and community.

Focus on Uncommon Impact

We will create lasting impact both locally and globally, motivated by God’s mission of proclamation, compassion, and justice.

Biblical Standards for Teachers

The session of First Presbyterian Church has developed a Biblical Standards for Teachers covenant that all teachers within the church are to sign. This includes leaders of small groups, Sunday School classes and Wednesday evening classes. Church members, particularly those interested in teaching, are welcome to reach out to the pastors or the Discipleship Committee for more information.

Biblical Standards for Teachers
Frequently Asked Questions

Our Core Values

Centered on Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is at the center of everything.

In the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the eternal Son of God uniquely entered human history and became a real human being, fully human and fully God. We believe that Jesus is the only one who can reconcile us to God. He lived a sinless and exemplary life, died on the cross in our place, and rose again to prove his victory and empower us for life. We believe that Jesus Christ is coming back again as he promised.

Grounded in Scripture

Scripture is more than a set of guidelines or ideals. 

We believe that the Bible is God’s uniquely revealed and written Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the church’s first and final authority in all areas of faith and life. It is accurate, authoritative, and applicable to our everyday lives. The Bible points us to Jesus Christ, who is the living Word of God.

Connected to Tradition

We honor both our church history and our theological tradition.

Our present work is only made possible because we stand on the shoulders of the great saints of First Presbyterian Church from previous generations. We also do this present work as part of the theologically Reformed and evangelical ways of understanding our faith and life.

Building for the Future

We believe the best days of the church are before us and not behind us.

We build for the future as we develop our people, pour resources into the next generations, create sustainable ministries, and preserve and improve all of our physical spaces.

Growing in Mission

We value making an impact on the world around us.

This begins in our own community. We continue to seek out ways to minister to those in need through ministries of compassion and justice. The end result is to ease the burdens of others in order to free them to live the abundant life Christ promises.

Uniting in Love

We find our unity in our love for God, love for each other, and love for the people around us.

While we have a wonderful diversity of backgrounds, stories, and demographics, it is our capacity for love that compels and unites us. There is great warmth, care, compassion, and affection here.

Who We Are

The mission of First Presbyterian Church is to make and mature disciples for Jesus Christ.

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