Mission and Values Statement
We are a church with nearly 100 years of rich heritage gathering on this hill and scattering throughout this city to love God, love each other, and love our world.
Nearly 100 Years of Heritage
As we prepare for the next 50+ years serving Christ, we want to be faithful to God’s Word, committed to the Great Commission, consistent with the values which have brought us thus far, and ready for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Our Three Priorities
Love God
- Prayer
- Spiritual Transformation
- Worship
Love Each Other
- Serving
- Fellowship
Love the World
- Serving
- Multiplying Disciples
- Missions
Our 7 Core Values
We value prayer, so we seek God earnestly
We believe God desires for His people to depend on Him through prayer. He hears and answers prayer according to His good purposes. Therefore, we commit ourselves to pray first — individually and corporately — seeking God’s presence and favor. We intercede for others, our church, our mission, and the salvation of those far from Christ.
Acts 2:42; Ephesians 6:18; 1 John 5:14; Psalm 63:1, 141:2, 145:18; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Proverbs 15:8; Matthew 26:41; Luke 11:2-4; Romans 8:26, 12:12; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:3, 5:16
We value spiritual transformation, so we abide in God’s Word richly
We believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word, authoritative and trustworthy. It is both timeless, timely, and truth for our daily lives. The Holy Spirit of truth is given to help us, teach us, and guide us as we grow in Christ. Therefore, we commit ourselves to knowing God’s Word, abiding in His truth, being transformed into the likeness of Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit, and equipping the church for the work of the ministry.
Romans 12:2; John 8:31, 15:5-8, 16:13; Colossians 2:6-7; Ephesians 4:11-16, 20-24; Colossians 3:16; 1 Peter 2:2-3; 2 Peter 1:5-8; 2 Peter 3:18
We value worship, so we celebrate joyfully
We believe God alone is worthy of our highest praise and honor. Worship is expressed in praise, thanksgiving, stewardship, and holy living to God. Therefore, we commit ourselves to gather joyfully to focus on God by celebrating, proclaiming the gospel, and remembering Christ until He returns, while encouraging each other to honor Christ daily.
Matthew 22:37; Psalm 95:1-2, 96:2-9; Philippians 4:4; Luke 9:23-24; Habakkuk 3:17-18; Zephaniah 3:17; Acts 2:45; Romans 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9; Colossians 3:16
We value fellowship, so we connect meaningfully
We believe the church is a people, not a place. Meaningful relationships promote health, unity, and encouragement within our congregation, while also providing opportunities for us to connect with others. Therefore, we commit ourselves to love, encourage, challenge, teach, serve, and pray for one another.
John 13:34-35; Acts 2:42; Romans 5:4-5; 1 Peter 4:8-9; Galatians 6:2; Proverbs 27:17; Acts 2:42-46; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16; Colossians 3:12-15; Hebrews 3:12-14; 1 Peter 4:8-11; 1 John 1:7
We value serving, so we serve others sacrificially
We believe we are the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus making an impact in the lives of others. Therefore, we commit ourselves to love one another not just by our words but through our actions. We take responsibility for caring for our fellow believers, while seeking opportunities to serve our “neighbors” for the sake of the gospel.
Matthew 5:16, 22:39b, 25:34-40; John 13:34-35; Galatians 5:13; John 13:12-17; Luke 10:25-37; 1 Peter 4:10-11
We value multiplying disciples, so we share Christ intentionally
We believe Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. Those who are far from Christ matter to God and matter to us. Therefore, we commit ourselves to intentionally develop gospel-centered relationships with all people, making disciples who make disciples.
John 3:16-17; Luke 19:10; Mark 16:15b; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Matthew 28:19-20; John 18:37; Romans 1:16; 1 Peter 3:15-18
We value missions, so we engage locally and globally
We believe our mission is to urgently engage our world with the Good News of Christ, seeing the needs, praying with compassion, and going as the Lord sends us into Knoxville and to the ends of the earth. Therefore, we commit ourselves to praying, supporting, sending, and going missionally.
Psalm 96:3; Matthew 9:36-39; Matthew 28:29-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Chronicles 16:24; Acts 13:47-49; Romans 10:13-15