Our Beliefs

Pleasant Grove Statement of Faith

We are a Christian body of Jesus followers, holding to long-held Biblical beliefs. We also affirm the perspectives of the Wesleyan movement–holding together grace and truth, forgiveness and holy living, evangelism and the loving ministry of meeting the needs of the poor and hurting. 

We believe that God's grace is the foundation of our relationship with Him. God makes the first move toward us, and He enables us to respond by receiving His love or walking away. 

We believe that we are justified and forgiven of our sin by faith in Jesus Christ, not because of anything that we do, but solely because Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience, sacrificed His life by dying on the cross, and because He rose from the dead three days later. 

We believe that God loves us so much, that He does more than forgive us. He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit, makes us one with Him, and He brings actual transformation to our lives. 

All of this is the work of God's grace.

Jesus Christ is the hope of the world, and we believe that the local church is the venue to share that hope. The church is the movement of those who trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, who follow Him in obedience, who worship Him, and are sent out into the world with the Good News of what Jesus has done. The church is not a club for people who are perfect. The church is the gathering for all who recognize our need for God's grace and who are searching for God's presence and power in the midst of our lives. 

In line with the teaching of Holy Scripture, we believe... 

Nature of God

•  Trinity-God is three persons in one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each 

person is distinct, yet the three are one. We worship one God. 

Father-Jesus reveals to us God as Father, and He invites us to come to God through the relationship of father and child. 

Jesus Christ-Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father. He is not made. He is one with the Father. Jesus is the incarnation of God on earth. He is fully human and fully divine. 

• Holy Spirit -The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit lives 

within those who trust and follow Jesus, and the Spirit makes us one with God. The Holy Spirit guides us, teaches us, convicts us of sin, and empowers us to follow God in loving obedience.

Salvation

• Grace-God's grace enables us to trust and believe in Jesus Christ for Salvation.

This grace also enables us to follow Jesus. It frees us from the power of sin.

Grace is forgiveness, but it is also God's blessing and transformation in our lives.

We can do nothing to earn this grace. 

• Atonement-Atonement is the work that is done for us by Jesus Christ. Through the life, 

death by crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are given the gift of right relationship with God. Jesus suffered the punishment for sin, cleansing us and freeing us from the power of sin. When we receive the gift through grace, we are made one with God. 

• Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ-Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. 

The work of Jesus is the only work that is able to both forgive us of our sinful actions and to free us from the power of sin in us. When we repent of our sins and believe this truth and trust Jesus to save us, we are justified and made right with God based on Jesus' holiness and sacrifice. 

The Bible

• The Bible is God's Word, given to us to offer us truth, to guide us in life, and to lead us toward salvation. The Bible is inspired by God and the truth of God contained within it is infallible. It is our final authority in all matters of faith, practice, and living. It contains all things necessary for us to understand and receive the gift of salvation from God by faith in Jesus Christ. 

• The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of at least 39 authors over a period of 1500 years or more. The Bible is made up of 66 books (39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament). 

Humanity

• Image of God-Genesis 1:26-27 tells us that humans are created in the image of God. We reflect the nature of God, and we are given a spirit by which we can be joined to God through the Holy Spirit. 

• Sacred Worth-All persons have inherent worth because all persons are made by God in His image. Worth comes from our creator rather than any accomplishments in life. Life is a gift from God, and that life (bearing the image of God and worth from the creator) begins at conception. 

• Fallen into Power of Sin--All human life extends from the first life that God created. The first humans rebelled against God and submitted the human race to the power of sin. All persons are born into sin, called inherited sin. We are broken and prone toward selfishness and rebellion against God. We are all guilty and have fallen short of God's holy standard. All persons are in complete need of God's forgiveness and grace to be free of sin's hold on our lives. 

• Unable to Save Ourselves but Able to Surrender to God's Grace- While we are 

unable to live righteous and holy lives without God's grace at work in our lives,

we are able to surrender and receive the free gift of grace that God offers through

Jesus Christ. We are given free will to reject God or to receive His gift. God

pursues us first in His grace.

Sacraments

• Baptism-Baptism is an outward sign of God's grace at work in our lives. It is a sign of the cleansing power of God's grace for all who trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. We are commanded to make disciples and to Baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism is a marker of initiation in the body of Christ. Baptism may be administered by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling. 

• Holy Communion-Holy Communion was initiated by Christ at the last 

supper. In Holy Communion we remember the sacrifice of Jesus in giving of his body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. As we gather in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice, God is made spiritually present to us through the elements of bread and wine by the power of the Holy Spirit, and God ministers to us in order to build our faith, and to make us one with Him, and to bring us unity with one another. We acknowledge that God's grace is powerfully at work in Holy Communion, therefore, every person that is seeking God is welcome to participate in Holy Communion. (There is a more detailed explanation under Sacraments and Ordinances)

The Church

• Hope of the World-Jesus Christ is the hope of the world, and we believe 

that the local church is the venue to share that hope. It is the gathering of

followers of Jesus, joining together in worship and mission, by which God

promises to spread the Gospel message of Jesus Christ and to bring 

transformation of the world for holiness and faith in God. 

• Spiritual Gifts-The church is given certain spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit for the building up of the church and for the mission of the church in the world. These are distinguished from talents in that they are spiritual in nature and designed specifically for the mission of the Gospel. 

• Purpose-The church has a single purpose: to make disciples, baptizing 

them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We carry out this

mission through evangelism, worship, prayer, holy living, and good works. 

Eternity

• Forever-Human beings are eternal beings. Though our lives on earth will come to an end, we will exist forever. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with God is heaven. 

4 Central Pillars to our Mission

Jesus is Our Pursuit

For nearly 170 years, our church has been driven by a profound desire to pursue all that Jesus has in store for us. In a world filled with uncertainty, we firmly believe that Jesus is our true source of hope. When fear looms large, He becomes our refuge, and even in the face of overwhelming challenges, we cling to the assurance that He is always with us, watching over our lives. Each of us is known personally by Jesus; He understands our unique struggles and calls us by name. In those moments when we feel burdened by our circumstances, we are faced with a choice: to succumb to despair or to trust in Jesus to uplift and rescue us. As a community, we are fueled by a fervent desire for a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit's presence and power, aspiring to witness lives transformed, situations changed, and individuals set free through the name of Jesus. Together, we believe that genuine change and liberation are attainable through His Spirit. 

People is Our Passion

As a church, we are passionately dedicated to honoring every individual, understanding that each person holds significance in God's eyes, no matter their current path. Our mission extends beyond merely being a compassionate community; we aspire to be a supportive one, actively lifting others during their struggles, especially when they face moments of vulnerability. We believe in approaching those in pain, offering help and hope when others might turn away.

At the core of our community lies a culture of honor, rooted in the belief that all people are created in God's image. By honoring others, we ultimately pay tribute to God Himself. We strive to look beyond present circumstances, much like Jesus did with His disciples, choosing to see and nurture the potential and future that God has in store for each individual. 

Serving is Our Priority

Serving is central to our church's mission. By choosing to serve, we transition from passive observers to active participants in God's work. Our goal extends beyond mere attendance; we aim to engage meaningfully and create a positive impact in the lives of others.

This commitment is exemplified by Jesus, who, even on the night before His crucifixion, humbly washed His disciples' feet. This profound act illustrates that true greatness lies not in how many serve us, but in how many we choose to serve. Jesus emphasized that the journey to greatness is paved with acts of service.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Serving transcends a simple action; it represents a spiritual investment with eternal implications. Each act of service contributes to the kingdom of God, opening us to divine opportunities orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. By embracing a servant's heart, we position ourselves for significant influence and effectiveness within His kingdom.

Generosity is Our Privilege

As a church, we view generosity not as a mere obligation but as a cherished privilege. When we embrace generosity, we transcend the minimum requirements and give joyfully from the abundance that God has provided us. Our approach to giving is shaped by a sense of opportunity rather than compulsion; it is a chance to express our gratitude and trust in God's faithfulness. By returning a portion of what He has given us, we engage in an act of worship that acknowledges His past blessings, affirms our reliance on Him for our current needs, and expresses our faith in His future provisions. Motivated by invitation rather than obligation, we see our generosity as a partnership with God, enabling us to contribute to His work within our church, our community, and beyond, ultimately making a meaningful impact on the lives of others and advancing His kingdom.