Family values

Our family values represent what makes us Grace City Church. These biblical beliefs are meant to guide our family as we connect to Jesus and each other to advance the Gospel.

BIBLICAL AUTHORITY

“God has spoken to us through the Bible and we recognize it as the final authority for our lives.”

2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
FAITH

“God is well pleased because we live by faith. Therefore nothing will be impossible.”

Romans 1:17
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:11
… the just shall live by faith.
Hebrews 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in Him.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him …

We will do the impossible, because we believe that "with God" ... ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

PRAYER

“Prayer is not a department or a leader. Prayer should be a generalized spirit that all believers are commanded to yield too.”

Isaiah 56:7
Even them I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.
Mark 11:17
Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’?

Our goal is to develop a culture of prayer and administer the spirit of prayer to thosewho are thirsty to be utilized by the Lord for His purposes.

Again, prayer is not just "a ministry of the church" it is core to the ministry itself. The Bible says that prayer "makes tremendous power available" and because of this, we encourage prayer as a priority.

James 5:16b
... The earnest prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
HUMILITY

“Humility is a strategy ...God lifts the humble!"

James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
Proverbs 22:4
The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
1 Corinthians 15:10 AMPC
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me.
SERVING

“We have been gifted, graced, and placed in the body. Putting our hands to work is strategic towards the overall growth of the church.”

Romans 12:6
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them …”

If we are not serving somewhere …we are not using our gifts in the body.

Ephesians 4:16
“From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Because we love, we serve ...growth is the byproduct.

PERSONAL EVANGELISM

“We take literal Jesus’ command of go and tell everyone about the gospel.”

Mark 16:15
And He said to them, go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Romans 10:15b
… How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel … who bring glad tidings of good things.
Romans 10:13
… whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

We understand that we have been called and appointed to GO and declare the gospel of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:19 AMPC
It was God in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (the restoration to favor).
AUTHENTIC FELLOWSHIP

“Accountability, belonging, care, and spiritual growth happens best with relationally connected believers.”

Acts 2:42
And they continued steadfastly in … fellowship …
Acts 2:46
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.
Hebrews 10:25
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another …
1 Thessalonians 5:11
… comfort each other and edify one another …
Galatians 6:1-2
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

We need each other. Period.

We also believe strongly in all generations working together. You'll find that our church is a collaboration of the old and the young working together.

Malachi 4:6
He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers ...
Ephesians 4:16
From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
GENEROUS GIVING

"Time, energy, talents and money are gifts from God and are meant to be shared and invested."

We give because God first gave to us.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave …

Giving immunizes us against the disease of covetousness.

We give because we live a giving lifestyle. (Luke 6:27-38)

2 Corinthians 9:8
Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Galatians 6:6
Let him who is taught the word share in all good things …
Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Philippians 1:5
For you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.
Philippians 4:17
Not that I seek your gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit, the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account.

We give because we believe in the law of sowing and reaping.

Luke 6:38 NLT
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap ...
Genesis 26:12
Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold ...
Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap ...