Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

Ephesians 4:3-6 niv

GCC is home to people with a variety of beliefs, and we think that’s a good thing.  All of us are seeking to grow closer to God, and none of us claims to have all the answers regarding Jesus, the Church, or how to live the Christian life.  And yet, while we humbly acknowledge our limitations and embrace a diversity of beliefs, we do trust that God has given us clear instructions on what to think about the things that matter most.  There are certain things you have to believe to be a follower of Jesus.  What follows is by no means exhaustive, but is merely us articulating some of the core beliefs we feel are essential to the Christian life.

God – We believe that there is only one God.  We believe that God is the creator of everything, that God is good, and that God exists in a Trinitarian nature as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

Jesus – We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead three days later.  We believe that Jesus is coming back again, and that when he does, the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness for all eternity. 

The Holy Spirit – We believe that the Holy Spirit dwells inside of Christians, gives us power, and that we receive it when we are baptized in water as a reenactment of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. 

The Church – We believe that God calls all Christians to be a part of a church so that we can be part of a community of believers who strengthen each other, worship together, and serve alongside each other.  While “organized religion” often carries a negative connotation in the world today, we believe that the benefits of being a part of a church family far outweigh the risks.  We believe that it is the job of the church to help people draw closer to God, connect with each other, and share the love of God with the world around us.

Salvation – We believe that all of us are sinners in need of God’s grace.  We believe that the only answer to the sin and brokenness in the world is Jesus, and that God’s plan from the beginning was to send Jesus to take away our sins so that we can have life.  We believe that we receive salvation by joining with Jesus through belief in him and through baptism.  We believe that as followers of Jesus, he calls us to become more like him by learning his teachings and by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit.  Ultimately, our salvation is the work of Jesus.

The Bible – We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, which reveals to us the story of God and his work among humanity from the beginning through the end. Scriptures are an eternal voice calling us to accept the salvation and liberation of God in Jesus Christ and to entrust our lives to him in faith and obedience.