Our Mission Statement
Our faith, hope, and trust are in Jesus Christ. Our commission from Him is to be living witnesses to His transforming love, encouraging others to become part of God's family. Our Ministry is to each other and to un-churched families in Vandalia and surrounding communities, providing an environment that fosters life changing worship, warm, vibrant fellowship, growth and maturity in faith, and loving service to others.
Our Core Beliefs
The Bible
The whole Bible—Old and New Testaments—is the written Word of God, the infallible revelation of His will. The Bible alone is our authority and standard for what to believe and how to live. It clearly sets forth truth and identifies error. Its central personality is Jesus—its central theme is His love, demonstrated fully by His death for us on the cross of calvary. 2 Peter 1:19-20, 2 Timothy 3:14-17,
Salvation
Our salvation was accomplished by Jesus Christ’s life, death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. A complete work to which nothing can be added. We have only to believe to receive this free gift of grace. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” There is no other way for people to be saved. Ephesians 2:4-10, John 3:14-17
Baptism
Through the symbol of baptism we participate in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our old life of sin and selfishness is put to death and buried with Him and with Him we are raised to a whole new life of dependence on Christ. We follow the example of Christ’s own baptism by being lowered completely beneath the water. At baptism we receive the special gift of the Holy Spirit that makes our redemption sure. Romans 6:1-4, Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 2:38, Ephesians 1:13-14
Growing in Christ
With the gift of Salvation comes, through the work of the Holy Spirit, the power to grow into the likeness of Jesus. This work of growth and maturity is the work of a life time. Ephesians 4:11-16, Romans 6:1-14
Empowered to Serve
Jesus comissioned and empowered all who accept His free gift of salvation to go to the people in the world around them that, by word of mouth and by acts of genuine love, they too may know and experience the gift of salvation that is theirs through His work on the Cross. Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
The Seventh Day Sabbath
The seventh day Sabbath was created by God when He created the world. Adam and Eve’s first full day on earth was spent resting in God’s completed work of creation. After the crucifixion, as Jesus rested in the tomb after completing the work of our redemption, the Sabbath took on even greater significance and became a reminder that we rest in His completed work for our salvation. We celebrate this memorial of God’s creative and redemptive work from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Genesis 1:26-2:3, Luke 23:50-56, Hebrew 4:9-10
The Second Coming of Jesus
Jesus promised to come again and take those who would accept His free gift of salvation with Him to heaven, including those who have died before His return. His return will be a visible and dramatic event that will bring to an end all the pain, suffering and death in this world and set the stage for the destruction of evil and Satan its’ source. John 14:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 21:1-4, Revelation 20:7-15
“Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' NKJV
The “certain man” in this parable is broken, helpless humanity left for dead on the side of the road that even the most religious of people intentionally passed by. The “Good Samaritan” is a picture of Jesus who without concern for His own convenience goes out of His way to minister to the needs of hurting humanity. After tending to his immediate needs the Good Samaritan takes the man to the “inn” which we see as a symbol of the church. There the Savior entrusts the man to the care of “inn keeper” (others He has rescued.) The Savior says to the innkeeper(s), “Take care of him and when I return I will repay you!”
The stain glass image shows Jesus with a rescued person in His arms. He is redeemed and safe in Jesus arms through the power and merits of His cross that is behind Him. Jesus hands are stretched out inviting His redeemed people to join Him in the important work of saving those who are victims of the devil’s thievery. Jesus posture and body language appeal to us, “Will you join me and care for these I died to help? His words echo deep within our hearts, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'
The Story Behind the Design of our Stain Glass Window
Our stain glass window is inspired by our understanding of the Bible parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:30-36:
