we trust Jesus

We trust everything Jesus said – about Himself, about God, about humanity, about reality, and about us. We acknowledge that human history has had many great teachers, great leaders, and great social activists - but Jesus had a far superior understanding of, and thus far superior answers to, the central questions which have always confronted humanity.

Where did I come from? Why am I here? What is my purpose? Is there more to reality than the physical world? Why is there suffering? How (and why) do I help the poor? What is the “good life?” How do I become a really good person?

We believe Jesus is God showing Himself to us. His miraculous virgin birth, powerful life, agonizing death for our redemption, and physical resurrection confirm His teaching and leadership as authentic and authoritative. We trust Jesus’ teaching that life with God – an overflowing, life-giving way of life — is uniquely accessible through devoted friendship with Him. We have full confidence in Him as our teacher, leader, redeemer, and friend.  

we trust the Bible

Jesus Christ had complete confidence in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) as God-inspired and authoritative (see Matthew 5:17).

Jesus also articulated His absolute confidence that the Holy Spirit would enable His first followers to accurately remember, record and communicate all the necessary teachings and events surrounding his birth, life, death, and resurrection (see John 14:26). These documents would later be confirmed as the New Testament.

Thus we share the same trust and full confidence that Jesus had concerning these God-inspired writings. We view the Bible as the sole guide for pursuing a grace-filled life with God.

We affirm the core realities which characterize the invisible and visible worlds as expressed in the Apostle’s Creed, a statement written by church leaders during the 3rd century:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Q: What kind of church is this?

A: Most people when they ask this question want to know if we are Catholic, Protestant, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, or some other “label.” The answer to that question is “yes”. Anyone of any background who is interested in exploring life with Jesus is welcome at Exodus. 

We are affiliated with a multi-national network of Christ-centered churches*, but the label isn’t what defines us. What defines us is our commitment to becoming apprentices of Jesus Christ – learning to do all he taught us to do and to joining His life-giving mission of freedom.

 (* the Missionary Church, USA – see www.mcusa.org)