Gateway’s Mission and Values
Gateway’s mission, values, and outcomes describe the kind of church we believe God has called us to be. Our mission explains why we exist, our values describe the convictions that shape how we live and minister together, and our outcomes reflect what we hope to see God produce in the lives of our people over time. Together, these statements are meant to help keep us unified, focused, and faithful as we seek to glorify Christ and make disciples.
Mission
Learning God’s word together in order to joyfully live as disciples who make disciples.
Our Values
Firm Belief In Scripture
Devoted To Living Life Together
No Partiality
Following Jesus As Disciples
Connection With God Through Prayer And Praise
Connection With Our Community And Beyond
Our Beliefs
God. We believe in one true and living God who is eternal, infinite, holy, glorious, and in every way loving, merciful, just, and good.
Trinity. We believe that God is one, yet he has eternally existed in three distinct, co-equal persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Scripture. We believe that the Bible in its entirety is the inspired and infallible Word of God. Thus, Scripture is the final authority for believers, and it should be used to help believers grow in maturity.
Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who came to earth as one who was fully God yet truly human. Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross as a sacrifice and substitute for mankind. We believe in Jesus’ subsequent bodily resurrection, his ascension into heaven, and that he will one day return again to judge the living and the dead.
Holy Spirit. We believe the Holy Spirit works to regenerate those who put their faith in Christ. Once regenerated, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to persevere and to live godly lives, and he equips believers with gifts used to serve God and his church.
Creation. We believe God created all things; that He created man and woman in His own image; that He instructed man and woman to multiply in the earth; and that He instituted the union of one man and one woman (marriage) to propagate and nurture future generations.
Salvation. We believe every person is sinful by nature and by choice and thus are in need of God’s grace. Because works cannot save sinners, people need to be justified – declared innocent – by God through faith in Jesus Christ who died to purchase our salvation. The result of salvation is forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God in heaven.
Church. We believe Christ is the head of the church and that the church consists of all people who have been regenerated by the Spirit through faith in Christ. The universal church is made visible through local churches where believers meet for teaching, fellowship, worship, and prayer. We believe in the priesthood of believers, and that all believers have direct access to God through Christ.
We also believe that the church and its members are held to a high standard of conduct. Because believers are called to live for God’s glory and are strengthened by the Holy Spirit, members of the church should always seek to grow in holiness, maturity, obedience, and love for God and neighbor.
Last things. We believe that Jesus Christ will personally and visibly come again to call his church to Himself. We believe that Jesus will then judge the living and the dead; those who are faithful will receive eternal life in heaven, while unbelievers will be consigned to eternal punishment in hell.