Statement of Faith
The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God’s infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks. II Timothy 3:16
We accept those areas of doctrinal teaching on which, historically, there has been general agreement among all true Christians.
Because of the specialized calling of our organization, we desire to allow for freedom of conviction on other doctrinal matters, provided that any interpretation is based upon the Bible alone, and that no such interpretation shall become an issue which hinders the ministry to which God has called us.
- There is one true God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of Deity and the characteristics of personality.
I Kings 8:60; Isaiah 46:9; Matt. 3:16-17; Matt. 28:19; John 7:37-39
- Jesus Christ is God, the living Word, who became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin. Hence, He is perfect Deity and true humanity united in one person forever.
Luke 1:35; Luke 9:35; John 1:1; John 8:58; John 10:30; John 11:25-27
- He lived a sinless life and voluntarily atoned for the sins of men by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him alone.
Luke 24:45-47; II Cor. 5:14-15,21
- He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He lived and died.
I Cor. 15:3-4
- He ascended bodily into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father, where He, the only mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own.
Acts 1:9-11; Romans 8:34
- Man was originally created in the image of God. He sinned by disobeying God; thus, he was alienated from his Creator. That historic fall brought him and all his posterity under divine condemnation.
Genesis 1:26; Genesis 6:5; Romans 5:12-14
- Man’s nature is corrupted, and he is thus totally unable to please God. Every man is in need of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Jeremiah 17:9; I Cor. 2:14
- The salvation of man is wholly a work of God’s free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness or religious ceremony. God imputes His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby justifies them in His sight. John 3:16-18; John 5:24; Romans 5:8-11
- It is the privilege of all who are born again of the Spirit to be assured of their salvation from the very moment in which they trust Christ as their Savior. This assurance is not based upon any kind of human merit, but produced by the witness of the Holy Spirit, who confirms in the believer the testimony of God in His written word. Romans 8:1-4
- The Holy Spirit has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to men. He convicts and draws sinners to Christ, imparts new life to them, continually indwells them and transforms them from the moment of spiritual birth and seals them until the day of redemption. His fullness, power and control are appropriated in the believer’s life by faith. John 7:38-39; John 14:16-17; John 16:13-14
- Every believer is called to live so in the power of the indwelling Spirit that he will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God.
Romans 8:9-11; Romans 12:1-2; I Cor. 10:21
- Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body, which is composed of all men, living and dead, who have been joined to Him through saving faith. John 5:24; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:18-21
- God admonishes His people to assemble together regularly for worship, for participation in ordinances, for edification through the Scriptures and for mutual encouragement.
Ephesians 4:11-12; Hebrews 10:24-25
- 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.
I Thess. 4:13-14,17; I Thess. 5:9-10
- At physical death the unbeliever enters immediately into eternal, conscious separation from the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting judgment and condemnation. John 3:18; II Thess. 1:7-9
- Jesus Christ will come again to the earth – personally, visibly and bodily – to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16-17; Revelation 22:12
- The Lord Jesus Christ commanded all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to disciple men of every nation. The fulfillment of that Great commission requires that all worldly and personal ambitions be subordinated to a total commitment to “Him who loved us and gave himself for us.” Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16
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Preeminence of Christ
Jesus is first and foremost in everything related to Expect Hope. He is “the head of all rule and authority” and we look to His example of absolute righteousness as the standard for moral values, attitudes, behavior, and life choices. (Colossians 1:15-23, Colossians 2:10)
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Authority of Scripture
The moral standard revealed by God in the Bible is absolute and informs how we are to relate to our Creator and all others. (Matthew 22:37-40)
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Sanctity of Life
Each human life begins at the moment of conception, regardless of the circumstances, and every conceived child bears the image of God. The child is His creation who should be protected and cherished. (Psalm 139:13-16)
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Unified Leadership
God is glorified when leaders are united in the wisdom that comes from Christ Himself. We “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” by cultivating a posture that acknowledges and defers to His presence. (I Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 4:3)
Empowerment of Mothers
Mothers are empowered by the building of capital and opportunity. This includes increasing social connections, tangible property, employable skills, and laying a strong spiritual foundation, all of which results in the alleviation of economic, relational, and spiritual poverty. (Zechariah 7:9-10, Micah 6:8, Job 31:16-23)
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Advancing Effective Partnerships
The church, an expression of Jesus and his primary agent of change, proclaims the message of reconciliation with God and love for neighbor. We appreciate the strength and beauty that comes when all parts of the body of Christ work together to accomplish his purposes. Our partnership with Christ-honoring churches and private sponsors is a great source of encouragement as together we provide support for expectant women. (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15)