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Meet Our Pastors

Jonathan Foley

Jonathan Foley

Pastor Jonathan is a man who carries a passion for serving people and solving problems.  His life was transformed when God awakened his faith at the age of 18 while on a soccer mission’s trip in Europe.  Since that time, Jonathan has built his life on serving God by giving all he has to follow His plan and purpose. That journey has included both biblical training within the church and secular training in economics and public administration within the California State University system. Having achieved a Bachelors of Arts in Economics, and a Masters of Public Administration with a Nonprofit Emphasis, Jonathan uses his skills to propel individuals to rise above challenges and obtain success in the will of God. He served as Executive Pastor of Word of Life Fellowship from 2017 – 2023 and now servers as Lead Pastor, alongside his wife, Shelly, to do his part in loving the community through service, moral conviction, and faith in God. Every bit of community impact, Jonathan believes, starts when people encounter God.  His purpose and mission is to follow God with all his heart and trust that God will use this to reveal Himself to those God has called Jonathan to reach.

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Jonathan Foley

Senior Pastor

Jonathan Foley

Pastor Jonathan is a man who carries a passion for serving people and solving problems.  His life was transformed when God awakened his faith at the age of 18 while on a soccer mission’s trip in Europe.  Since that time, Jonathan has built his life on serving God by giving all he has to follow His plan and purpose. That journey has included both biblical training within the church and secular training in economics and public administration within the California State University system. Having achieved a Bachelors of Arts in Economics, and a Masters of Public Administration with a Nonprofit Emphasis, Jonathan uses his skills to propel individuals to rise above challenges and obtain success in the will of God. He served as Executive Pastor of Word of Life Fellowship from 2017 – 2023 and now servers as Lead Pastor, alongside his wife, Shelly, to do his part in loving the community through service, moral conviction, and faith in God. Every bit of community impact, Jonathan believes, starts when people encounter God.  His purpose and mission is to follow God with all his heart and trust that God will use this to reveal Himself to those God has called Jonathan to reach.

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Shelly Foley

Shelly Foley

Pastor Shelly is a dynamic leader with a passion to see every generation rise to positions of responsibility, stability, and strength through a strong understanding of God, His church, and their identity with Him. For the last 20 years, she has been strategically involved in various forms of ministry including leading worship, teaching, preaching, and serving. She is committed to bringing strength to her family, church, and community with direct involvement in training, business, and ministry outreaches. An important part of Shelly’s heart is a desire to advance high moral standards and bring powerful spiritual impact in the business arena. For 13 years she operated a successful financial consulting business and then transitioned into the corporate finance world in 2012 where she continues to function today.

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Shelly Foley

Senior Pastor

Shelly Folley

Pastor Shelly is a dynamic leader with a passion to see every generation rise to positions of responsibility, stability, and strength through a strong understanding of God, His church, and their identity with Him. For the last 20 years, she has been strategically involved in various forms of ministry including leading worship, teaching, preaching, and serving. She is committed to bringing strength to her family, church, and community with direct involvement in training, business, and ministry outreaches. An important part of Shelly’s heart is a desire to advance high moral standards and bring powerful spiritual impact in the business arena. For 13 years she operated a successful financial consulting business and then transitioned into the corporate finance world in 2012 where she continues to function today.
Together with her husband Jonathan, they share a testimony of learning how to live an
impactful and balanced life with family, work, and ministry. They have faced many challenges by embracing their relationship with God and experiencing His peace, joy and power. This gives them a unique ability to embrace the next season with God’s love and impart the way to live a fulfilling and complete life.

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Leadership Team

Pat McDonald

Pat McDonald

Pastor Celene lives with a consuming passion to serve God and serve people. Her greatest desire is to see men and women grow into all that God has destined for them, embracing the uniqueness of their gifts and God-given abilities. A fierce warrior for the Kingdom of God, she is devoted to raising up the true church that will live victoriously, refusing to settle for nothing less than the fulfilled promises of God’s Word. A consummate hostess, Pastor Celene loves cooking, shopping, and entertaining, and uses these gifts to display God’s beautiful and gracious character to others. Rescued as a child through the steadfast love of God, she desires to live her life as a love offering back to Him, and hopes that her life inspires others to do the same.

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Pat McDonald

Apostle, Pastor

Pat McDonald

Saved in 1972, Pastor Pat has been walking in a steadfast and committed relationship with the Lord and His church ever since. He loves to worship, and above all else, he desires to see God honored and made great in the eyes of people. He has a deep passion for the Word of God, and has given his life to studying, understanding, and applying scriptural truths. Pastor Pat teaches the Word in a way that makes both fundamental and deep scriptural concepts accessible to anyone, and has traveled the world teaching truth and imparting his passion for the Word into those that hear him. Pastor Pat recognizes the value of not only understanding spiritual truths, but also having the wisdom to know how to walk those truths out in a real and practical way that glorifies God. He loves to stay physically active, and can often be found riding his bike, chopping wood, or landscaping his yard.

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Celene McDonald

Celene McDonald

Pastor Celene lives with a consuming passion to serve God and serve people. Her greatest desire is to see men and women grow into all that God has destined for them, embracing the uniqueness of their gifts and God-given abilities. A fierce warrior for the Kingdom of God, she is devoted to raising up the true church that will live victoriously, refusing to settle for nothing less than the fulfilled promises of God’s Word. A consummate hostess, Pastor Celene loves cooking, shopping, and entertaining, and uses these gifts to display God’s beautiful and gracious character to others. Rescued as a child through the steadfast love of God, she desires to live her life as a love offering back to Him, and hopes that her life inspires others to do the same.

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Celene McDonald

Apostle, Pastor

Celene McDonald

Pastor Celene lives with a consuming passion to serve God and serve people. Her greatest desire is to see men and women grow into all that God has destined for them, embracing the uniqueness of their gifts and God-given abilities. A fierce warrior for the Kingdom of God, she is devoted to raising up the true church that will live victoriously, refusing to settle for nothing less than the fulfilled promises of God’s Word. A consummate hostess, Pastor Celene loves cooking, shopping, and entertaining, and uses these gifts to display God’s beautiful and gracious character to others. Rescued as a child through the steadfast love of God, she desires to live her life as a love offering back to Him, and hopes that her life inspires others to do the same.

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Bob Wilk

Bob Wilk

As the Director of the School of Ministry, Pastor Bob desires to bring men and women into a deep, intimate, and mature relationship with Jesus. He is passionate about seeing people set free to walk in their true identity, and he considers it his personal reward when he sees people live in victory. Delivered as a young man from a destructive lifestyle, Pastor Bob lives each day knowing that there was a price paid for him that he can never repay, except to live fully for Christ, devoted to His cause. Pastor Bob operates in a strong prophetic anointing that carries into whatever he does, from teaching and preaching, to counseling, administration, and leadership, as well as coaching sports and youth in the community. A father to many, he is passionate about authentic relationship, and desires to the see the church truly understand how to be friends that are closer than brothers.

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Bob Wilk

Pastor, Director of SPIRIT School of Ministry

Bob Wilk

As the Director of the School of Ministry, Pastor Bob desires to bring men and women into a deep, intimate, and mature relationship with Jesus. He is passionate about seeing people set free to walk in their true identity, and he considers it his personal reward when he sees people live in victory. Delivered as a young man from a destructive lifestyle, Pastor Bob lives each day knowing that there was a price paid for him that he can never repay, except to live fully for Christ, devoted to His cause. Pastor Bob operates in a strong prophetic anointing that carries into whatever he does, from teaching and preaching, to counseling, administration, and leadership, as well as coaching sports and youth in the community. A father to many, he is passionate about authentic relationship, and desires to the see the church truly understand how to be friends that are closer than brothers.

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Genny Laxague

Genny Laxague

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Genny Laxague

Prayer Leader, Prophetess

Genny Laxague

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Liz Jones

Liz Jones

Under the covering of her parents, Liz grew up knowing the Lord, and cannot remember a time without Him in her life. At the age of 15, she responded to the call of God on her life and committed herself to Him and His work in a serious way, and has never regretted it. Her greatest desire is to know the depths of who God is, and to bring others into the secret places with Him. She is passionate about breaking off religious mindsets that keep people and churches captive, and is one who is commissioned to break through limitations in order to prepare the way for others. Operating in a strong prophetic anointing, she loves to teach, disciple, and empower people, and receives so much joy from seeing them grow and mature into their true identity. She believes that true discipleship and genuine relationship involve sharing life together, whether laughing and sharing stories over a good meal, spending a day at the lake, or simply hanging out with friends and family.

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Liz Jones

Pastor, Assistant Director of SPIRIT School of Ministry

Liz Jones

Under the covering of her parents, Liz grew up knowing the Lord, and cannot remember a time without Him in her life. At the age of 15, she responded to the call of God on her life and committed herself to Him and His work in a serious way, and has never regretted it. Her greatest desire is to know the depths of who God is, and to bring others into the secret places with Him. She is passionate about breaking off religious mindsets that keep people and churches captive, and is one who is commissioned to break through limitations in order to prepare the way for others. Operating in a strong prophetic anointing, she loves to teach, disciple, and empower people, and receives so much joy from seeing them grow and mature into their true identity. She believes that true discipleship and genuine relationship involve sharing life together, whether laughing and sharing stories over a good meal, spending a day at the lake, or simply hanging out with friends and family.
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David Lien

David Lien

Pastor David loves beautifully crafted stories, whether in a good movie or great book, but especially loves the greatest story of all, the story of redemption through Jesus Christ. Having given his life to Christ as a child, he rededicated his life to Jesus as a young man, and now gives his life to helping others see and experience the glory of God. Operating in a strong evangelistic anointing, Pastor David is a preacher and teacher whose heart longs for people to come to the Lord, and to return to the Lord. He wants to see people live in a way where they are able to be their true selves, and to be free from the comparison and competition that rob so many people of joy and fulfillment. His life has been transformed completely by the love of God, and he desires to display that transforming power to give others faith for their own transformation.

 

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David Lien

Outreach Pastor, Teacher

Pastor David Lien

Pastor David loves beautifully crafted stories, whether in a good movie or great book, but especially loves the greatest story of all, the story of redemption through Jesus Christ. Having given his life to Christ as a child, he rededicated his life to Jesus as a young man, and now gives his life to helping others see and experience the glory of God. Operating in a strong evangelistic anointing, Pastor David is a preacher and teacher whose heart longs for people to come to the Lord, and to return to the Lord. He wants to see people live in a way where they are able to be their true selves, and to be free from the comparison and competition that rob so many people of joy and fulfillment. His life has been transformed completely by the love of God, and he desires to display that transforming power to give others faith for their own transformation.

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Jeribai Tascoe
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Jeribai Tascoe

SPIRIT Teacher, IT Coordinator, Prophet

Jeribai Tascoe

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Worship Ministries

Liz Jones

Shelly Foley

Pastor Shelly is a dynamic leader with a passion to see every generation rise to positions of responsibility, stability, and strength through a strong understanding of God, His church, and their identity with Him. For the last 20 years, she has been strategically involved in various forms of ministry including leading worship, teaching, preaching, and serving. She is committed to bringing strength to her family, church, and community with direct involvement in training, business, and ministry outreaches. An important part of Shelly’s heart is a desire to advance high moral standards and bring powerful spiritual impact in the business arena. For 13 years she operated a successful financial consulting business and then transitioned into the corporate finance world in 2012 where she continues to function today.

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Shelly Foley

Worship Director

Shelly Folley

Pastor Shelly is a dynamic leader with a passion to see every generation rise to positions of responsibility, stability, and strength through a strong understanding of God, His church, and their identity with Him. For the last 20 years, she has been strategically involved in various forms of ministry including leading worship, teaching, preaching, and serving. She is committed to bringing strength to her family, church, and community with direct involvement in training, business, and ministry outreaches. An important part of Shelly’s heart is a desire to advance high moral standards and bring powerful spiritual impact in the business arena. For 13 years she operated a successful financial consulting business and then transitioned into the corporate finance world in 2012 where she continues to function today.
Together with her husband Jonathan, they share a testimony of learning how to live an
impactful and balanced life with family, work, and ministry. They have faced many challenges by embracing their relationship with God and experiencing His peace, joy and power. This gives them a unique ability to embrace the next season with God’s love and impart the way to live a fulfilling and complete life.

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Bob Kirk

Bob Kirk

Bob was introduced at a young age to a relationship with Jesus. After a life-changing encounter in high school, he decided to fully commit his life to serving God in all areas of life. Educated as an Electrical Engineer, Bob retired from 40 years of software development and management in the tech industry. Bob has a passion for excellence and for building and mentoring teams to help and support the ministry in every way possible and to see the Kingdom of God advanced in the earth. He loves being outdoors in God’s creation, backpacking, fishing, skiing or just taking a walk with friends and family.

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Bob Kirk

Audio/Visual

Bob Kirk

Bob was introduced at a young age to a relationship with Jesus. After a life-changing encounter in high school, he decided to fully commit his life to serving God in all areas of life. Educated as an Electrical Engineer, Bob retired from 40 years of software development and management in the tech industry. Bob has a passion for excellence and for building and mentoring teams to help and support the ministry in every way possible and to see the Kingdom of God advanced in the earth. He loves being outdoors in God’s creation, backpacking, fishing, skiing or just taking a walk with friends and family.

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Youth Ministries

Mark Waelty

Mark Waelty

Mark Waelty, alongside his wife Jerusha, spearheads the high school youth ministry at Word of Life Fellowship. His journey in youth ministry began as a dedicated teacher with the middle school youth group, a role he filled for several years before taking the leadership role with the high school. Mark possesses an enthusiasm and passion to guide the high school youth toward a deeper relationship and commitment to following Jesus Christ. 

 

Professionally, Mark is an experienced high school teacher with over 20 years in education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education. Mark’s dedication and passion are evident in his tireless efforts to create a thriving youth ministry. He believes that by equipping the youth with a strong foundation in Christ and nurturing their spiritual growth, they can become confident and capable followers of Jesus.

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Mark Waelty

Infused - Youth Leader

High School

Mark Waelty

Mark Waelty, alongside his wife Jerusha, spearheads the high school youth ministry at Word of Life Fellowship. His journey in youth ministry began as a dedicated teacher with the middle school youth group, a role he filled for several years before taking the leadership role with the high school. Mark possesses an enthusiasm and passion to guide the high school youth toward a deeper relationship and commitment to following Jesus Christ. 

 

Professionally, Mark is an experienced high school teacher with over 20 years in education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education. Mark’s dedication and passion are evident in his tireless efforts to create a thriving youth ministry. He believes that by equipping the youth with a strong foundation in Christ and nurturing their spiritual growth, they can become confident and capable followers of Jesus.

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Dawn Lien

Jerusha Waelty

Jerusha has been serving on the children’s ministry leadership team for six years and is currently the Primetime classroom director for kindergarten through 2nd grade. She has a love for God and His Word, and makes sure she does everything she can to inspire children with the same.  Professionally, she works as a dental hygienist and holds a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene along with other certificates. You can find Jerusha having fun hiking, traveling, exercising, and playing with her cats. 

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Jerusha Waelty

Infused - Youth Leader

High School

Jerusha Waelty

Jerusha has been serving on the children’s ministry leadership team for six years and is currently the Primetime classroom director for kindergarten through 2nd grade. She has a love for God and His Word, and makes sure she does everything she can to inspire children with the same.  Professionally, she works as a dental hygienist and holds a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene along with other certificates. You can find Jerusha having fun hiking, traveling, exercising, and playing with her cats. 

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Sham Wilk

Sham Wilk

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Sham Wilk

Ignite - Youth Leader

Middle School

Sham Wilk

Sham is an incredible voice and example in our youth ministry. He co-leads the Ignite Middle School group and makes sure our kids enjoy spending time together and learning the Bible. Relationship is a major focus for Sham as he understands the children need each other in order to stand up and stand out in the world they are growing up in. Sham is an incredible entrepreneur, and helps lead our local baseball league. His hobbies are coaching baseball, deep sea fishing, and landscaping.

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Keturah Wilk

Keturah Wilk

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Keturah Wilk

Ignite - Youth Leader

Middle School

Keturah Wilk

Keturah is another amazing leader in our youth ministry. She is currently helping lead the Ignite Middle School group, but has been a part of leadership in Samuel Company children’s ministry with the longest stretch of thirteen years. She brings comedy, strength, and a true sense of leadership to our children. Keturah holds a Bachelors of Science in Accounting, for fun she loves time with family and friends, walking her dog in the woods, reading, and working hard. Laughter is a necessary part of her world, and Keturah makes sure everyone around her joins in.

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Sham Wilk

Nick Lucich

Nick is the Samuel Company comedian and co-leader of our I-Explore 3rd-5th grade class. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business, and operates as a produce broker managing suppliers of produce in the Central Valley. His involvement in Samuel Company has been legendary as he brings creativity and instructional depth to every classroom experience. For fun, Nick hikes, bikes, and follows the San Francisco Giants, and serves in the children’s ministry.

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Nick Lucich

Samuel Company Director

5th and under

Nick Lucich

Nick is the Samuel Company comedian and co-leader of our I-Explore 3rd-5th grade class. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business, and operates as a produce broker managing suppliers of produce in the Central Valley. His involvement in Samuel Company has been legendary as he brings creativity and instructional depth to every classroom experience. For fun, Nick hikes, bikes, and follows the San Francisco Giants, and serves in the children’s ministry.

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Keturah Wilk

Deborah Lucich

Deborah is an amazing part of our Samuel Company team.  She’s a talented worship leader, entrepreneur, and community organizer. As a co-leader for our. I-Explore 3rd-5th grade class she brings humor, depth, and genuine worship to the children.   Her family is a reflection of the amazing gifts she possesses and they’re a big part of our children’s ministry.  For fun Deborah snowboards, hikes with family and friends, enjoys a good cup of coffee, and is a song-writer.

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Deborah Lucich

Samuel Company Director

5th and under

Deborah Lucich

Deborah is an amazing part of our Samuel Company team.  She’s a talented worship leader, entrepreneur, and community organizer. As a co-leader for our. I-Explore 3rd-5th grade class she brings humor, depth, and genuine worship to the children.   Her family is a reflection of the amazing gifts she possesses and they’re a big part of our children’s ministry.  For fun Deborah snowboards, hikes with family and friends, enjoys a good cup of coffee, and is a song-writer.

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Campus Staff

Joe Jones

Joe Jones

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Eric Gilliat

Facilities Director

Amber Milbourn

Amber Milbourn

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Amber Milbourn

Office Manager

Athena Low

Athena Low

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Athena Low

Financial Controller

Athena Low

Athena Low

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Bob Kirk

Audio/Visual & IT

Jorge Wario

Jorge Wario

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Jorge Wario

Communications Manager

Vision & Mission

Word of Life has no other reason for existence than to cultivate and spread the message of Life, which is, to be like Jesus. Everything this church has done and will do is connected with the message of Life. The vision for Word of Life Fellowship is to become the powerful church of God in the earth to share the message of Life and see people grow in their faith as they come together through our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

To accomplish our vision we focus our passion, resources, and efforts in 4 primary ways.

 

1. Worship and prayer
2. Fellowship – Community and family
3. Training and Equipping
4. Share the message of Life

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts.”

Zechariah 4:6

OUR STORY IS YOUR STORY

God chooses people to fulfill His purposes and gives us the opportunity to partner with Him in His amazing work. In 1969, He offered Jacqueline Lorraine Thomshaw such an opportunity, and she said yes.  She started Word of Life Fellowship in Redwood City, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, becoming a true shepherd, loving and disciplining anybody He sent to her. He knew she would trust Him enough to leave everything and lead her people in building a church on the mountain in Mi Wuk Village, believing His Word over all else.

The story of Word of Life Fellowship starts with one person who said yes.  It is a story of the power of the Word to create the life of God in a unlikely people in a unexpected place.  It is a story of that Word enduring from generation to generation against all odds and through much opposition.  It is the story of a God whose power is the power of the resurrection; of the  Word that creates life that cannot be stopped. The testimony of Word of Life Fellowship is that God longs to partner with imperfect people, no matter their background, heritage or experience, to bring His glory and life into the earth.  He is not limited by our weaknesses, but His power is made manifest through them.  He only requires hearts that say yes, and say yes again and again.  Our story is one of an amazing God who loves fiercely, who works wonders, who is faithful above all and through all.  Our story is your story; the power of one to respond to a great invitation to be part of the greatest story ever told, and to partner with the Creator in His greatest act in  creation for the restoration of all things.

There will be a people who are like Him when He returns, who are made into the very image of Jesus Christ.  Who experience the fulness of life this side of heaven, a glorious Bride ready for her husband.  We can be part of that overcoming people who usher in the glory of God that will fill all the earth.

All we must do is say yes.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Statement of Faith

(A) Inerrancy and Infallibility of the Holy Bible

We believe in the absolute inerrancy and infallibility of the Holy Bible as the true Word of God; that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” and that “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”  The Holy Bible, as the revelation of the Person and will of God, is the only rule of faith, doctrine, and practice for the Christian Church (Ps. 119:105; Acts 17:11; Ps. 68:11; I Cor. 11:2; Jer. 15:16; I Thess. 2:13; Isa. 55:11; I Tim. 6:3; Ex. 34:27; II Tim. 3:16; Josh. 24:26; II Pet. 1:21; I Sam. 10:25; I Cor. 14:37; Jer. 30:2; II Pet. 3:16; Lk. 1:3; Jn. 1:1).

(B) One True and Living God

We believe in one true and living God, supreme and infinite in being, perfect, holy, eternal, omnipotent, immutable, omniscient, pre-existent before all things, and the Creator of all (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 6:4; Jude 25; Jer. 23:24; Pr. 28:5; Jer. 32:17; Lk. 1:37; Ps. 90:2).

(C) The Trinity

We believe that there exists in the Godhead, a trinity of distinct persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and that they are One in power, in purpose, in essence and in eternity (Gen. 1:26; Isa. 42:1; Mt. 28:19; I Jn. 5:7; II Cor. 13:14; Gen. 18:2;. Deut. 6:4; Mt. 3:16-17; Heb. 1:8; Mt. 22:43; Isa. 35:4, 5; Mt. 11:3-6; Jn. 8:24; Acts 5:3, 4; Jn. 5:19; Jn. 16:13-15).

(D) Jesus Christ is the Divine Son of God

We believe Jesus Christ is the Divine Son of God.  In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Beloved Son for the Salvation of the world.  He was immaculately conceived of the Holy Spirit, and born of a Virgin (Isa. 7:14; Lk. 1:27, 35; Mt. 3:17; Jn. 3:16; Mt. 1:18).  He lived a life of sinless purity, revealing God to a lost and fallen mankind.  He performed the complete will of God, doing all things pleasing to the Father, being obedient, even unto death, on the Cross.  He was slain for the sins of mankind.  At the Cross, God laid the iniquity of us all upon Him.  He partook of sin, infirmity and death for all men.  As a Lamb without blemish before God, He was the propitiation for our sin.  It is through His shed blood that we have atonement, the forgiveness of sin, and there is salvation in no other (Isa. 53; Jn. 1:29; II Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:9; Acts. 4:12).

Upon His death He was buried in a tomb and was in the earth for three days, and rose again physically from the dead on the third day, overcoming sin, hell and death.  He showed Himself alive after His passion to witnesses, by many infallible proofs.  This is the Gospel, the power of God unto Salvation, which is sent to be preached unto all mankind (Mt. 12:40; Lk. 24:39; Acts 1:3; I Cor. 15:1-8; Mt. 27:63; II Cor. 5:15).  When He had thus by Himself purged our sins, Christ ascended bodily into Heaven, there to sit down at the right hand of God and be retained until the restitution of all things spoken by the prophets since the world began (Heb. 1:3, 13; Acts. 1:9; Acts 2:33-35; Acts 3:21; I Tim. 3:16).

(E) Return of the Lord Jesus Christ

We believe in the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven to this earth in power and glory, and that He will receive His bride, His elect, unto Himself, that He will judge the living and the dead, and that He will establish the everlasting Kingdom of God upon the earth (Acts 1:11; Mt. 24:30, 31; Eph. 5:27; II Cor. 11:2; Rev. 5:20; Dan. 7:14; II Tim. 4:1; Rm. 14:10).

(F) The Holy Spirit

(1)  We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, that He is God Himself, co-eternal with the Father and the Son (Gen. 1:2; Jn. 4:24; Acts 5:3, 4; Mk. 3:29).

(2)  When Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, He sent forth the Holy Spirit, to fulfill the promise of the Father, for the washing and regeneration of believers, and that He might abide with and empower believers to be witnesses unto Christ, and that He might lead and guide the church into all truth (Acts 1:4, 8; I Pet. 1:12; Titus 3:5; Jn. 14:16; Jn. 16:13). 

(3)  The Gift of the Holy Spirit is given to believers, subsequent to the salvation experience, with the manifestation of speaking in tongues.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit is at work in the present age of the church, with the manifestations and gifts distributed by Him according to the Scriptures (Acts 2:4; 10:45, 46, 19:6; I Cor. 14:2, 4, 14, 18, 21, 12:1-11)

(G) Historical Christian Church

We believe in the Historical Christian Church, which was begun and is being built by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The church, as established by our Lord and nurtured by the Apostles of Christ, entered a state of decline and darkness by the third century A.D., until it bore little or no resemblance to the early church.  But with the breaking forth of light on Justification by Faith, in the 17th century, and through many subsequent outpourings of Biblical truth, Christ has been building up and restoring His church to its ancient purity and power, that the Scriptures regarding the church might all come to fulfillment in these last days (Mt. 16:18; Eph. 2:20; II Tim. 2:2; Ps. 102:16; Joel 2:23-25; Hag. 2:9; Eph. 5:27).

(H) Water Baptism

We believe in water baptism, identifying and uniting the believer with Christ’s own death, burial and resurrection into newness of life.  Begotten of God at salvation through faith in Christ, the believer is born again through the faith of the operation of God at water baptism, wherein the old nature is done away through circumcision of the heart, which is the spiritual token of our covenant with God (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; John 3:5; Rom. 6:5 II Cor. 5:17; Col. 2:11, 12; Deut. 10:16; Ezek. 36:26; Ezek. 11:19).

(I) The Lord's Supper

We believe in the Lord’s Supper, instituted by Him before His passion, as a holy sign and seal of the new covenant of grace, containing the divine mystery of our partaking of Him, the communion of the body of Christ (Mt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:19, 20; Jn. 6:48-58; I Cor. 10:16).

(J) Principles of the Doctrine of Christ

We believe in the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ as the foundation of our Christian faith, according to Hebrews 6:1-3, principles essential for the growth of the church unto perfection:

(1)  Repentance from Dead Works
(II Pet. 3:9; Acts 3:19; Mt. 7:22; Heb. 9:14; Rev. 3:15; Acts 20:21),

(2)  Faith Toward God
(Rom. 1:17; Heb. 11:1; Jas. 2:17; I Jn. 5:4),

(3)  The Doctrine of Baptisms
(Acts 1:15, 2:38, 11:16, Jn. 1:33; Col. 2:11, 12),

(4)  The Laying on of Hands
(Acts 5:18, 8:17, 13:3, 19:6, 17, 28:8; Mk. 16:18; I Tim. 4:14; II Tim. 1:6),

(5)  Resurrection of the Dead
Acts 4:2, 17:32; Phi. 3:11; Rev. 20:6, 11:18), and

(6)  Eternal Judgment
(Rev. 20:12; II Cor. 5:10; I Cor. 6:2; Jn. 5:28, 29; Dan. 12:2).

(7)  Perfection
(Gen. 17:1; Gen.7:1, 23; Prov. 2:21, 22; Mt. 25:37-41; Heb. 6:1, 11:40; Mt. 5:48; Eph. 4:11-13, 5:25-27; 2Tim. 3:16,17).

(K) Worship

We believe in the worship of God in praise, in song, in dance, with the lifting up of hands, with clapping hands and musical instruments, as a spiritual sacrifice, that an atmosphere of glory unto Him may be formed for Him to inhabit (Ps. 134:2, Ps. 150, 63:4, 5, 22:3; Heb. 13:15; Ps. 149:3, 47:1, 87:7; Acts 24:14; I Tim. 2:8; Heb. 12:12; Rev. 8:4; Ps. 141:2; Mal. 1:11).

(L) Jesus Christ is the Supreme Head of the Church

(1)  We believe that Jesus Christ is the Supreme Head of the Church Universal, His body.  When He ascended on high, He gave the gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers unto men, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ.  These ministries are men and women ordained of God and empowered to direct and govern the affairs of the church in matters both spiritual and natural, by Divine Guidance of the Holy Spirit as demonstrated by the Word of God (Acts 4:35; II Thess. 3:10; II Cor. 8:14, 20; Eph. 6:1-9; Mt. 19:21, 22; Num. 16:13; Mt. 10:40).

 (2)  Primary of these ministries to the local church is the Office of Pastor, to whom all other agencies or ministries of the local assembly ought to be subordinate and supportive.  The ministry of the local church is in essence an extension of the calling and work of its Pastor(s), and requires the cooperation of the entire assembly.  The Guidance of God is predominantly executed through the Shepherd(s) or Pastor(s) of the church, and account must be given by them to God for the souls of each in the flock.  Scripture therefore admonishes the assembly to obey them in such a manner that their rule in the assembly may be conducted with joy and not with grief (Jer. 3:15, 23:4; Eph. 4:11; Heb. 13:7, 17; Rom. 13:7; I Tim. 5:17; Phi. 2:14; Ex. 16:8).

(M) The Lord is the Highest Authority as a Sovereign

We believe that the Lord Himself must be the highest authority as a Sovereign in all matters touching His church.  We seek to be governed and directed by His rule alone.  We acknowledge His agencies of rule to be His Word, the Holy Scriptures, the Ministry of His Holy Spirit and Divinely appointed leadership.  We assert that our Spiritual beliefs, represented by the Holy Bible, by these Articles of Faith, and including the entire body of our doctrine and attendant direction from God, hold preeminence over any other body of writ, whether Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, or any vehicle necessary or convenient for the natural or administrative functioning of our church (Acts 5:29; Dan. 3:16-18, 6:13; Acts 4:19; Mark 7:7; I Cor. 2:14; Rom. 8:5-8; Ps. 118:8).

(N) Marriage

Marriage has been ordained by God. This church defines “marriage” as the exclusive covenantal union of one man and one woman in which such union is a lifetime commitment. A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by the church only to the extent that it is consistent with the definition of “marriage” found in these Articles. (Gen. 2:24)

(O) Human Sexuality

Legitimate sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. Hence, sexual activities outside of marriage including but not limited to, adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, and pedophilia are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the Church. Further, lascivious conduct, transgender behavior, and the creation and/or distribution and/or viewing of pornography, are incompatible with the biblical witness.

(P) Authority Of Statement Of Faith

This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith.  The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe.  We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore is binding upon all members, employees and guests.

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