Mission and Vision
 Mission
To make
fully transformed (morphed) disciples of Jesus Christ.
Vision
To transform the State of
Illinois by transforming (morphing) its heart in Springfield.
The Five G.R.E.A.T.
Values
1. Gift-Based Ministry
We are all full-time pastors. Therefore, each of us has the
opportunity to minister in accordance with our God given gifts, temperaments and
passions following the example of Christ.
2. Relational
Connections
Relationships
provide the environment through which spiritual growth occurs. We strongly
encourage believers to be part of a small group to serve with others in ministry
as part of their transformation. Relationships also provide the environment
through which new life occurs. Though not all believers are gifted to be
evangelists, every believer is called to reach out to lost people.
3.
Excellence
We will seek
excellence in all that we do. We believe that God is worthy of the best we can
offer. Therefore, we are committed to improving areas of weakness and maximize
areas of strength.
4.
Authenticity
We will seek
to live authentically in all that we do. Our desire as a church is to live out
the biblical principle of truth-telling. Therefore, our leaders will set the
pace in their walk with Christ, while being honest about sin and the process of
growth, so that our congregation sees principles of spiritual growth lived
out.
5. Truth with Creativity
and Relevance
Biblical
truth will be presented to people of all ages with contemporary relevance,
variety and creativity.
Our Denomination
The
Evangelical Free Church is an Association of over 1,200 autonomous churches
united by a mutual commitment to serve our Lord Jesus Christ with the guidance
of the Holy Spirit and obedience to the Word of God. We are committed to
cooperate with one another in ministry and fellowship as we seek to fulfill the
Great Commission which Christ has entrusted to His Church. The growing ministry
of the Evangelical Free Church of America currently extends to some 30 nations
of the world; encompassing nearly 1,300 additional congregations.
"Evangelical" refers to our commitment to the authority of Scripture as being
without error in the original manuscripts and the only safe and sufficient guide
to faith and practice.
"Free" refers to our form of church government as
being congregational. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the
Church, and that every local church has the right under Christ to decide and
govern its own affairs.
Twelve Article Statement
of Faith
1. We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New
Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original
writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the
Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life.
2. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and
eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been
conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross
as a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose
bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the
Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and King.
4. We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord
Jesus Christ and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing
sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and
service.
5. We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and
is therefore lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation
and eternal life be obtained.
6. We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection
provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and
only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become
children of God.
7. We believe that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be
observed by the church during the present age. They are, however, not to be
regarded as means of salvation.
8. We believe that the true church is composed of all such persons who,
through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit
and are united together in the body of Christ of which He is the Head.
9. We believe that only those who are thus members of the true church shall
be eligible for membership in the local church.
10. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the church, and that
every local church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own
affairs.
11. We believe in the personal, pre-millennial and imminent coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ and that this "Blessed Hope" has a vital bearing on the
personal life and service of the believer.
12. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to
everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, of the unbeliever to judgment and
everlasting conscious punishment.
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