Our Mission

We exist to make disciples of Jesus Christ and give ourselves in his service


Welcome!
We are a worshipping congregation in the heart of Morganton, North Carolina. We strive to be a church body that continually grows in service to our neighbors and more in love with God. There IS a place for you here. When we are worshipping, finding community, and making a difference together in our world, we see God’s love more fully.

OUR CORE VALUES

 

Jesus First, Jesus Always

We are convinced all things find their true meaning in and through Jesus Christ. Jesus shows us who God is and at the same time, who we are meant to be. He has the last word and final say about who we understand ourselves to be and how we live our lives. We believe the greatest thing we can do for the world is lift Jesus up in worship and invite people into a saving relationship with Him. Colossians 1:15-20; Revelation 5:12-13; Matthew 6:33

 

On Earth as in Heaven

Jesus’ fundamental gospel message had to do with God’s Kingdom drawing near. The Kingdom of God is more of a reality than a location; the Kingdom of God is wherever things are the way God wants them to be. To follow Jesus means to devote ourselves to the advancement of God’s Kingdom here on earth by picking up our cross, following Jesus into the broken places of the world and partnering with him in putting the pieces back together. Mark 1:15; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Matthew 25:40

 

Truth is Essential

We believe in truth as revealed in Holy Scripture. The Bible is God’s infallible Word for authority and guidance. Understanding God’s Word provides light for our lives. Psalms 119:130; 2 Timothy 3:16

 

Participation over Observation

Jesus’ invitation is to come and follow. There is no neutrality in the Kingdom of God. If we have said yes to Jesus, then we have also been called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to play a role in what Jesus is doing by serving the church and changing the world. 1 Peter 4:10; Matthew 16:24-25; Romans 12:11

 

Above and Beyond

In sending the world Jesus, God spared no expense but unloaded the resources of heaven in order to rescue a world He loves. In light of this, we are committed to doing whatever it takes to reach people with the good news of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:22-23; Ephesians 3:20; Matthew 28:18-19; Psalm 67:1

 

People Matter

In Jesus, we are introduced to the God who knows us inside and out as if we were the only person on the planet. We are committed to being a church that doesn’t forget about its people. You are not just a number. You are a vital part of the story God is telling through this church. Romans 12:13; Matthew 10:29-31

 

Better Together

The full life of God meets us in a unique way as we move closer together in relationships. Our shared life is one of the primary ways in which we encounter God for ourselves and prove to the watching world our relationship with Jesus is real. Acts 2:42-47; John 17:20-21

 

Prayer Driven

Prayer is the most powerful thing we can do. Prayer is neither a formality nor a matter of going through the motions. There is real power in prayer to move the heart of God to accomplish or bring about things that otherwise would not happen. 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Acts 2:42; 1 John 5:14


WHAT WE BELIEVE

 

The Bible

The Bible is the sole basis of our beliefs and is found in the sixty-six canonical books of the Old and New Testaments. The Bible is the Word of God to all people, fully true; our final authority in all matters of faith, practice and lifestyle. Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17

 

The Father

God is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, Holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good. He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate and faithful to His people and His promises. Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 11:4-6; John 3:16; Acts 17:28

 

The Son

Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days, demonstrating His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven where He is the only Mediator between God and people. He will return again to earth and will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. Isaiah 7:14, 53; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; Acts 1:9, 2:22-24;  Romans 1:3-4; Philippians 2:5-11

 

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness and the coming judgment. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides us with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. Genesis 1:2; John 15:26, 16:7-14; Acts 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; Revelation 22:17    

 

Salvation

The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts. Men and women can never make up for their sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can a person be saved from sin’s penalty. When God has begun a saving work in the heart of any person, He gives assurance in His Word that He will continue performing it until the day of its full consummation. Isaiah 1:18; Luke 1:68-69; John 3:16, 36; Acts 16:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20

 

Eternity

People are created to exist forever. Every person will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is heaven. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence. John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15    

 

Humanity

People are made in the spiritual image of God — we are rational and moral beings. Because we are God’s creation made in God’s image, each person possesses great self-worth. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of self-centeredness which the Bible calls “sin.” This attitude and its resultant actions separate us from God, others and ourselves. Genesis 1:26-30; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21

 

The Church

The Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ. Matthew 16:18-19; Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22

 

Baptism

We believe water baptism is a sacrament to be observed by the Church today, a means by which we experience God’s grace tangibly, though not a requisite to salvation. First Church offers baptism in any of three modes of water baptism which have been practiced throughout church history: immersion, pouring, and sprinkling. Because God chooses us once and for all, this is an act that does not need to be repeated. Those that are baptized as children must make the choice to confirm their belief in Christ as they get old enough to understand what that means. Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 16:31-33

 

Holy Communion

Communion is an opportunity for us to renew our relationship with Jesus Christ. On His last night before His death, Jesus ate a special meal with His disciples. He charged his church with repeating this meal to remember His sacrifice and celebrate our new life through His death and resurrection. God offers this relationship to everyone, so all who desire to receive are welcome to participate. Matthew 26:27-28; I Cor. 11:23-26