Statement of Faith

 The City Mission, although focused on meeting the practical needs of people, has a long history of proclaiming the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Contained within an early statement of purpose for The City Mission is this foundational objective: “The City Mission exists to provide help and hope to all people through the transforming power of God’s love. This is accomplished through the teaching and studying of God’s Word and proclaiming the Gospel of Grace.”  This remains the center of what we do.

Although we have developed successful programs, have networked with other community agencies, and have qualified staff and volunteers contributing their expertise, it is still our unwavering focus on a relationship with Christ and the principles of God’s Word that results in changed lives. We hold to the following statement of faith:

1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, ultimately authoritative Word of God. (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21)
2. We believe there is one God, eternally existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 8:6)
3. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is Deity; that He was born of a virgin, that we are redeemed by His atoning death through His shed blood, that He bodily resurrected and ascended into Heaven, and that He will come again in power and great glory. (Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15; I Peter 2:24-25; I Thessalonians 4:16-18)
4. We believe that individuals are saved through a direct, personal encounter with Jesus Christ, at which time they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. This event we hold to be an experience, rather than a doctrinal supposition. (John 3:3; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:6,9)
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whom Christ indwells each believer, enabling one to live a godly life of obedience as one reaches for maturity. (John 16: 7-11; Galatians 5:13-18)
6. We believe the Holy Spirit unites all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and that together they form one body, the Church. (Ephesians 2:22; I Corinthians 12:12-26; Colossians 1:18)
7. We believe in Biblical definitions of marriage, gender, and sexuality, and uphold a Biblical stance on all matters related thereto. We believe Biblical marriage is limited to a union between one male and one female. We believe that the Bible prohibits sexual relations outside of Biblical marriage. We further believe that a “male” or “man” is a biological male from birth and a “female” or “woman” is a biological female from birth. (1 Cor. 6:18; Hebrews 13:4; Romans 1:26-27; Genesis 5:2)
8. Final authority for interpreting scripture rests with the Board of Trustees of The City Mission.