What I Believe

I believe that every person will exist eternally—either in joyful communion with God or in separation from Him. Death is not the end; the soul is immortal. For those who have trusted in Jesus Christ, there is the certain hope of immediate presence with the Lord upon death (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23), followed by the resurrection of the body at His coming (1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The unsaved face eternal, conscious judgment away from the presence of the Lord (Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:11-15). Because of this reality, I am compelled to proclaim the gospel urgently, calling all to repent and believe so they may receive eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23).

I believe that baptism is an ordinance given by Christ to His church, to be administered by immersion to those who have personally repented and believed the gospel. It is a public declaration of identification with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12). Baptism does not save—it is the outward sign of the inward reality of faith and new birth already received (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21). I practice believer's baptism because Scripture consistently shows it following conversion (Acts 8:36-38; 16:30-33), and it pictures the washing away of sins through faith in Christ (Acts 22:16).

I believe the church is the body of Christ on earth, composed of all true believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). It is called to gather regularly for worship, the teaching of God's Word, fellowship, prayer, breaking of bread, and the making of disciples (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25). The church exists to glorify God, edify believers, and proclaim the gospel to the world (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 3:10). I am committed to the local church as the primary means God uses to grow His people and advance His kingdom until Christ returns.

I believe that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing by the power of His word, and that all things were made through Him and for Him (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 11:3). He is the sovereign, personal Creator who spoke the universe into existence and declared it very good (Genesis 1:31; Psalm 33:6-9). Humanity—male and female—was uniquely fashioned in God's own image, endowed with dignity, purpose, and moral responsibility as the crown of His creation (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; James 3:9). Adam and Eve were real, historical persons, the first human beings from whom all people descend (Acts 17:26; Romans 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:45). Through their disobedience in the Garden, sin entered the world, bringing spiritual death, physical death, and a curse upon the whole creation, which now groans awaiting redemption (Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 5:12; 8:20-22). I affirm the straightforward biblical account of origins as foundational to the gospel: a good creation marred by sin, requiring the redemptive work of Christ to restore all things (Romans 5:17-19; Colossians 1:19-20). While faithful Christians may differ on the precise timing and structure of the creation days, I reject any view that incorporates evolutionary processes as the means God used, as it undermines the historical fall, the entrance of death through one man, and the need for a second Adam to undo it (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

I believe in one eternal, sovereign God who exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in deity, power, and glory, yet distinct in personhood (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). The Father is the source of all, the Son is the eternal Word who became flesh, and the Holy Spirit proceeds to convict, regenerate, and indwell believers (John 1:1, 14; 15:26; 16:7-11). God is holy, just, loving, and unchanging, revealing Himself perfectly in Scripture and supremely in Christ (Isaiah 6:3; Malachi 3:6; 1 John 4:8).

I believe in the blessed hope: the personal, imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Jesus will come again visibly and bodily, as He promised, to gather His people to Himself and consummate all things according to God's eternal plan (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:20). This truth fills me with joyful anticipation—every day I long for the appearing of my Savior, who could return at any moment, and it motivates me to live faithfully, love others deeply, and proclaim the gospel with urgency (2 Timothy 4:8; 1 John 3:2-3; Matthew 24:42-44). While Scripture clearly teaches a future period of great tribulation on the earth, Christ's victorious second coming to defeat evil, establish His kingdom, and judge the world (Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6), I recognize that faithful believers have held differing views on the precise sequence of these events. Rather than engaging in speculative timelines or date-setting—which Scripture warns against (Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7)—I focus on the certainty of His return and the call to stay watchful, sober, and ready (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Luke 21:34-36). Ultimately, the saved will enjoy eternal life in the new heavens and new earth, where God dwells with His people forever, wiping away every tear, while the unsaved face eternal separation in judgment (Revelation 21:1-4; 20:11-15; 2 Peter 3:13). This hope anchors my ministry and stirs me to help others be prepared for that glorious day.

I believe that humanity was created good in God's image but fell into sin through Adam, resulting in a rebellious condition —every part of our being affected by sin, rendering us spiritually dead and unable to save ourselves (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:10-18; Ephesians 2:1-3). Yet God's grace reaches out to all, enabling sinners to respond in repentance and faith (Titus 2:11; John 12:32). Man remains responsible before God, accountable for rejecting or receiving His offer of salvation (Romans 1:20; John 3:18).

I believe that God created humanity male and female in His image, and marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 1:27; 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). Sexual intimacy is a good gift to be enjoyed exclusively within marriage (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5). All sexual activity outside of this design—including fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and pornography—is sin that dishonors God and harms people (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18-20; Romans 1:26-27). By God's grace, forgiveness and transformation are available to all who repent and turn to Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17).I also believe that gender is rooted in God's good creation of humanity as male and female (Genesis 1:27). Gender dysphoria is a real struggle in our fallen world (Romans 8:20-23), and those who experience it deserve compassion and the love of Christ (Mark 12:31). However, Scripture does not support redefining or transitioning one's gender to align with feelings rather than biological sex. Our identity is found in being created and redeemed by God, and in Christ there is hope for wholeness and contentment as we follow Him (Colossians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:5). I seek to minister grace and truth to all in this area.

I believe that salvation is entirely by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and not by any human works or merit (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 3:23-24). God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, whose sacrificial death was sufficient to atone for the sins of all humanity (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6), yet it is effective only for those who profess faith in Him and receive Him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12; Romans 10:9-10). In His sovereign love and wisdom, God has made gracious provision for every person: the gospel is proclaimed clearly, the Holy Spirit convicts the world, and sufficient enabling grace is extended so that whosoever believes may be saved (John 16:8-11; Titus 2:11; Romans 10:14-17). God desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 33:11), sovereignly knowing every heart and arranging circumstances to draw people to Himself while honoring genuine response (John 12:32). Salvation requires personal repentance and trust in Jesus (Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31). Those who truly believe are born again, forgiven, adopted as God's children, and kept securely by His power, persevering in faith and producing fruit as evidence of new life (John 10:27-29; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:3-5; James 2:17-26). In Christ, abundant grace is available to all who come—He turns no one away who seeks Him (John 6:37; Romans 10:13).

I believe that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to every believer for the building up of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-13). These gifts—including teaching, prophecy, healing, tongues, and more—are to be exercised in love, under the authority of Scripture, and for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7; 14:26; 1 Peter 4:10-11). The miraculous gifts continue today as the Spirit wills, always tested by God's Word and pointing to Christ (1 Corinthians 14:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21).However, I must issue a stern warning: the gifts of the Spirit must never be abused, faked, or used for personal glory, manipulation, showmanship, or division. Those who pursue them selfishly, create disorder, claim unbiblical authority, or boast in experiences rather than Christ grieve the Spirit and harm the body (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 14:26-33, 40; 2 Peter 2:1-3). All things must be done decently and in order, with every manifestation tested by Scripture and submitted to the church's leadership (1 Corinthians 14:29-33; 1 John 4:1). Pursue love above all, and desire gifts that truly edify others (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1, 12). The Spirit glorifies Jesus—not us (John 16:14)—and any misuse must be firmly rejected.