About Us
First Christian Church (FCC) is a non-denominational, Christ-centered church for people who are on a spiritual journey. We are all on this journey together, and no one has it quite figured out yet. However, we want to provide a safe place where we can take the journey of life together and become more like the people God wants us to be. First Christian is just a gathering of imperfect people trying to serve God better today than we did yesterday.
First Christian strives to provide three environments that people on the journey need. We all need…
A place to belong
FCC is a community where—regardless of who you are, where you are from, or what you have done—you belong, a place where you are accepted, known, and loved. We are a place where you can feel at home and where you can pursue real relationships with God and with others.
A place to believe
Whether you are looking for God for the first time, or have known Him for 20 years, we want to talk about faith in a way that will challenge you. We believe that the life-changing message of Jesus is relevant today. It affects every aspect of our lives: how we view our careers, entertainment, relationships–everything. Each Sunday you will hear a message that is always based on the Bible and connects to your everyday life. Each Sunday you will also encounter God through dynamic worship.
A place to become
One of our values is life change. We believe that when people connect with God and with others, they never remain the same. They become more like the person they want to be and more like the person God created them to be. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, FCC will help you take that next step.
That is who we are! This gives you a little snapshot of our place. We hope that you will make our place your place!
Our DNA
Our vision: To become a church that anyone can come to and become fully what God intends them to be.
Our mission/purpose: To be a movement of people with the DNA of Jesus inhabiting and influencing every nook and cranny of culture and society in our communities.
Reaching lost people: It was Jesus’ top priority. It’s ours as well.
Intentional life transformation: God loves us just the way we are but too much to leave us this way.
Excellence: Jesus gave His best and He was perfect. We want to be excellent in all we do. We want to give our best, but because we are not perfect, we offer grace generously when mistakes happen.
Cultural relevance: Jesus became a real person to minister to real people. We will deliver His message in the most culturally relevant way possible.
Serving in the name of Jesus: We serve people because Jesus first served us.
Children: Jesus loved children. Because they are made in God’s image will invest in and love children for who they are right now and for how they will transform the future.
Transformational Bible Teaching: The Bible is God’s Word and is to be used for transformation, not just information. It is our ultimate authority for living and leading.
Prayer: We will encourage prayer in the life of every Jesus-follower and build strategic prayer into the church’s life and leadership.
Authentic Biblical Communities: Life change happens best in the context of relationships. We offer opportunities to build relationships in larger settings but always encourage Christians to be part of smaller groups where real life transformation is the normal thing.
Generosity: Our God has been extremely generous with us, and so we want to be generous with the world around us.
What We Believe
Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God, who died for our sins and arose from the dead.
(1 Corinthians 15: 1-8; John 3:16)
The Bible is the inspired word of God - a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
(2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:105)
Every person has worth as a creation of God, but that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
(Romans 3:23)
Forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life are available to those who trust Christ as Savior and Lord.
(John 3:16)
Those accepting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized into Him.
(Romans 10:9; Acts 2:38)
The Church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit and exists to evangelize the lost and edify the saved. (Ephesians 4:1-16)
Jesus Christ will one day return to earth and reign forever as King of kings and Lord of lords.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Why Did God Create Me?
• To Glorify Him "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light " (1 Peter 2:9).
• To know Him "I have made you known to them, and they will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them " (John 17:26).
• To have a satisfying life "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (Jesus - John 10:10).
Because we have sinned (disobeyed God's commands), we have severed our relationship with God and have fallen short of His intended purpose for our lives.
This separation will lead to eternal death unless we are reconciled to God. "..for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
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How can we be reconciled to God? How can we bridge the canyon and make things right with our Creator? Many have tried various ways to get across the canyon without success.
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God loves us! Jesus said, " For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
He gave His Son to pay the debt we owe. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
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You have a decision to make. Which side of the canyon are you on? Are you still on man's side trying to get across by your own efforts? Or, have you made the decision to use the bridge created by the cross of Christ? If you haven't crossed over, what should you do?
The Bible teaches that God wants you to:
o Accept Jesus and God's free gift of grace. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
o Repent of your sins. "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing might come from the Lord" (Acts 3:19).
o Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father" (Matthew 10:32).
o Be baptized (immersed) into Christ. "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'" (Acts 2:38).
A person should be baptized to follow the example of Christ (Mat. 3:13-17), to obey Christ's command (Mat. 28:18), to accept forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), to express trust in Christ (Acts 8:12-13), and to testify to God's work in his or her life (Rom. 6:1-8; Gal. 3:27). Baptism also serves to cleanse a guilty conscience (1 Pet. 3:21). The Holy Spirit prompts individuals to recognize their sin and guilt. The only method by which the human soul can be wiped clean of sin is through the blood of Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:27-10:7). This "washing away" of sin is most clearly symbolized in the act of baptism (Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).
If you are ready to make Jesus your Lord and Savior and receive eternal life:
Contact Phil Fairchild First Christian Church 304-387-2887 to arrange for your baptism.
Be assured! God will accept you! If you have done what God has asked of you, you are the possessor of eternal life. "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; and he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (I John 5:11-13).
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