Very early in the life of Grace Chapel, we believe God clearly said that he wanted us to be a "family with a purpose". Both being a family and fulfilling the purpose to which God has called us are crucial - if we were just a bunch of people that loved to be with each other, God could not accomplish His purposes in us or through us; if we are just a bunch of unrelated people trying to work for God, we would soon fail.

Our Purposes, Values, and Practices
We believe that we are called to a number of purposes and that we will remain a healthy church by continuing to practice all of these purposes. While at times we will emphasize or highlight a particular purpose, we will not practice one to the exclusion of the others. Our purposes affect what we value, and what we value determines what we practice.

Matthew 22:37-40: Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 28:19-20: therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the end of the very age."

Love the Lord with all you are and all you have.
Our Purpose - God wants us to magnify his name. This is called Worship.
As a result, we value intimacy with God. 
Therefore, we practice prayer, fasting, and reading His Word.

Love others as you love yourself.
Our Purpose - God wants us to be ministers of His grace. This is called Ministry.
As a result, we value healing and mercy.
Therefore, we practice prayer for one another, laying hands on the sick, and helping the needy and hurting (the widows, the orphans, and the poor).

Go and make disciples.
Our Purpose - God wants us to be messengers of His love. This is called Evangelism.
As a result, we value the residing presence of the Holy Spirit who empowers us to fulfill God's purposes in our community.
Therefore, we practice going into our community as a presence of God's love and salvation.

Baptize into the body of Christ.
Our Purpose - God wants us to be a part of His family. This is called Fellowship.
As a result, we value building relationships. 
Therefore, we practice coming together in large groups, small groups, and one-on-one mentoring.

Teach them to obey (equipping the saints for both life and ministry). 
Our Purpose - God wants us to be an example of his character. This is called Discipleship.
As a result, we value a proper approach to the Bible.
Therefore, we practice personal Bible study, teaching and doing what it says.

Theological Statement: Our Convictions.

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and that they are equal in power and glory. This triune God created all, upholds all, governs all. 

We believe in God the Father, an infinite personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns himself mercifully in the affairs of people, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, His sinless and perfect life, His miracles and teachings, His subsitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection from the dead, Ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and His personal, visible return to earth. We believe that in his first coming, Jesus inaugurated the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We believe that He came to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all those who believe in Christ; we believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all Biblical gifts of the Spirit.

We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and therefore under condemnation; that God regenerates and baptizes by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the church: baptism, and the Lord's Supper. We believe in water baptism and communion open to all people,

We believe also in the laying on of hands for the empowering of the Holy Spirit, for ordination of pastors, elders, and deacons, for receiving gifts of the Holy Spirit, and for healing.

We believe in the personal, visible, appearing of Christ to the earth and the consummation of His Kingdom; in the resurrection of the body, and in the final judgment.