This statement expresses the essential Christian convictions of our educational center. It reflects the faith of all our staff and board members and will be the theological basis of our teaching:
The Scriptures: We believe that the entire Bible is verbally inspired by God and is inerrant in the original writings. Through the providence of God, the Word of God has been protected and preserved, and is the only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).
God: We believe that there is only one true, living, sovereign, holy, and eternally existent God. He exists in three co-equal persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, each being a distinct person and with a distinct function, but all of one essence and all possessing the same nature, perfections, and attributes. The triune God is the creator and sustainer of all things, the source of all truth, and is worthy of worship, confidence, and obedience (Deut. 6:4-5; Gen. 1:31).
Jesus Christ: We believe that Jesus Christ is God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed many miracles, shed His blood on the cross to pay the debt of our sins, was buried, bodily resurrected, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return literally, visibly, and personally, in glory and power (Jn. 1:1-3; 14; Matthew 1:18-25; Phil. 2:5-9; Col. 1:15; I Cor. 15:1-8; Acts 1:11).
Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit of God is co-equal and co-existent with the Father and the Son. He is chief convictor of sin, the chief agent of regeneration and sanctification. The Holy Spirit lives within every believer and empowers every believer to live a godly life (Jn. 14:16-19; 16:7-15; I Cor. 6:19-20; Rom. 8:9,11; Titus 3:5).
Mankind: We believe that in the beginning God created mankind in His image, and is not in any sense the product of evolution. We believe in the literal seven days of Creation as written in God’s Word. Mankind was originally created with the ability to live perfectly for God’s glory (Gen. 1:1-27,31).
Sin: We believe that Adam, the first man, sinned by disobedience. This act resulted in the fall of mankind, therefore, all people have sinned and lost their ability to live for the glory of God. Every person’s sin incurs both physical and spiritual death until there is forgiveness and salvation by the grace of God (Gen. 3:1-24; Rom. 3:10-23; 5:12-21; 6:23).
Salvation: We believe the salvation of lost and sinful people is a free gift of God’s grace apart from human works, based solely upon Christ’s vicarious and atoning death, effected by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and received only through faith in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection from death (Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Cor. 5:21).
The Church: We believe that the church is the body of Christ and the family of God. It is made up of saved and baptized believers, who regularly join together for worship, fellowship, and ministry (Matt. 16:18; I Cor. 12:12-14; Heb. 10:25).
Evangelism: We believe that it is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek to make growing disciples (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
Marriage: We believe that God created and sanctioned marriage to bring together a man and woman by joining them in a “one-flesh” union (Genesis 2:18-25). Marriage between one man and one woman for life uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with His Church (Ephesians 5:21-33). Marriage also serves as the foundational unit of a stable society (I Corinthians 7:2). God’s creative intent provides for sexual intimacy only in the context of heterosexual, monogamous, lifelong marriage. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matthew 15:18-20).
Gender: We believe that gender matters. God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These distinct, equal, and complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God has made us male or female, and no alterations to or defilement of the physical form can change that.
