Mission & Strategy
Core Beliefs
We believe there is one true God, who exists eternally in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of The Godhead.
We believe in
God the Father
The Father is the first person of the Godhead, equal to the Son and the Holy Spirit who orders and directs all things according to His own purpose and pleasure. He sustains all things in the universe without any means other than Himself. By His grace, He involves Himself in the affairs of mankind, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all that come to Him through Jesus Christ. References: John 5:18-24, Romans 11:36.
We believe in
the Lord Jesus Christ
The Son is the second person of the Godhead equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit who by His virgin birth came to earth as one person, fully God and fully man, and lived a sinless life. His death on the cross made atonement for man’s sin, evidenced by His bodily resurrection from the dead. He physically ascended to the right hand of God the Father, and He will return in power and glory. References : Romans 5:8, John 3:16, & Colossians 1:15-20.
We believe in
the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead equal to the Father and the Son. He works to make men and women aware of their need for Jesus and provides them with the necessary power to live in accordance with the will of God. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer from the moment of their salvation, although His influence is experienced and enhanced as the believer yields control to Him. References: John 14:16-17, 16:7-13, Acts 1:8, I Cor. 2:12, Gal 5:25, Eph. 5:18.
What we believe about
the Bible
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the complete, divinely inspired, and inerrant Word of God. The Bible is the supreme authority and guide in all matters of faith and life. References: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21.
What we believe about
the Nature of Man
Man and woman were created in God’s image and voluntarily fell into sin by personal disobedience to the will of God; consequently, all men and women are spiritually dead apart from Jesus Christ. The fall of humanity was a once-for-all historical fact and brought humanity under divine condemnation. Its effect spread to all people, each of whom is born with a sinful nature and is in need of salvation. References: Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 2:1-3.
What we believe about
Salvation
Salvation is by grace, through faith alone, and is a gift from God apart from works of any kind. All who receive Jesus Christ are justified by His blood. Good works are not the means of salvation, but rather the evidence of salvation.
References: John 1:12, Romans 10:9-10 & 13, Ephesians 2:4-9, Titus 3:4-6.
What we believe about
Communion
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper (Communion) serves as a reminder and a testimony of Christ’s death on our behalf. We believe the communion elements represent His broken body and shed blood. Communion is reserved for believers in Jesus and should be participated in often. References: Luke 22:14-20, I Corinthians 11:23-26.
What we believe about
Baptism
We believe through baptism a person publically affirms their faith in Jesus’ and identifies with His death, burial, and resurrection. We encourage parents to dedicate their children to the Lord with full anticipation that they will be baptized when they are able to personally articulate their faith in Jesus. References: Luke 3:21-22, Romans 6:1-4, Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 2:4-22.
What we believe about
Eternal Life
We believe Jesus is preparing a place for us and that He will literally come back again. We believe Heaven and Hell are real places, and at physical death, the believer enters immediately into eternal, conscious fellowship with the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting glory and blessing. At physical death, the unbeliever enters immediately into eternal, conscious separation from God and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting judgment and condemnation. References: John 14:2-3, Revelation 20:15, I Corinthians 15:20-21, I Thess. 4:13-18.
What we believe about
the Church
The Church is God’s instrument for accomplishing His purposes on the earth. We believe that the Church (the people of God) is God’s instrument to distribute His glory on the earth. The Church is defined as a gathering of believers, meeting and experiencing God together in order to display His goodness wherever they go. References: Acts 2:37, Eph. 1:22-23, I Corinthians 12, 13, 14, I Peter 2:4-5.
Elders
Andy Hansen, Chris Willard, Don Cousins, Michael Roque, Steve Sellers,Tiago Azevedo, Todd Harper
Senior Leadership Team
Don Cousins | Lead Pastor
John Parrott | Central Campus Pastor
Mike Schirle | East Campus Pastor
Dale Ward | Southwest Campus Pastor
Pastors
Ben Markham | Lead Student Pastor
Berry Johnston | DC CARE Pastor
Bob Lourdel | Southwest Student Pastor
Brian Pikalow | Central Campus Associate Pastor
Chloe Gonzalez | Associate Worship Pastor
Dan Young | DC Kid’s Pastor
Daniel Mitchell | Associate Worship Pastor
David Cording | East Student Pastor
Javier Sola | Central Student Pastor
Linda Cyr | Southwest Groups Pastor
Merrie Karimov | DC On Mission Pastor
Paulo Clayton | Associate Worship Pastor
Sylvia Ragsdale | DC Kids Associate Pastor
Tami Ward | DC Women’s Pastor
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