Statement of Faith

THE SCRIPTURES: We believe the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscript, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. II Tim. 3:16, 17, II Peter 1:20, 21

THE GODHEAD: We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, yet distinct in office and activity; and these offices are executed harmoniously in the work of creation, providence and redemption. Deut. 6:4, Matt. 28:19, Eph. 1: 7, 2:18

GOD THE FATHER: We believe in God the Father perfect in wisdom, holiness, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that, He saves from sin and spiritual death all those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. John 3:16, John 14:6

JESUS CHRIST: We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, His intercession for His people, and His personal return. Rom. 8:34, Acts 1:9, I Cor.15:3, 4

THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ, that He indwells every believer and is an abiding helper. Eph. 5:18, 1 Cor. 3:16

REGENERATION: We believe all men are sinners by nature, choice and practice and are therefore under condemnation apart from the saving faith ln the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 5:8, Rom. 3: 10, 12, Titus 3:5,6

THE CHURCH: We believe in the Church; a living spiritual body of which Jesus Christ is the head and all regenerated (born again) persons are members. We believe in the local church, adhering to the Word of God as it is written, consisting of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith. Col. 1:18, Heb. 10:25, Eph. 4:1

THE SECOND COMING: We believe in the visible, personal and imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. John 14:1-3, Titus2:11-13, Acts 1:11

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT: We believe that a Bible-believing Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellow man; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Jesus Christ. II Cor. 5:17, I Thess. 5:22, James 4:7, II Peter 3:18

ORDINANCES: We believe the Lord Jesus Christ has committed to the body of Christ the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of Jesus Christ. Matt 3:16, Mark 14:22-25, I Cor.11:23b 26

ANGELS: We believe in the reality and personality of angels including the great enemy of God and man, Satan, who is the prince and power of evil in the world. We believe Satan is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire. Rev. 20:10

THE GREAT COMMISSION: The obligation of the church of Jesus Christ in which each believer shares is to take the Good News of this glorious salvation to every creature on earth. The Gospel in its very essence is a missionary message and commands us to preach the Word whenever and wherever our Lord sends us. Matt. 28:19, 20, Rom. 10: 13-15

SERVANTS: We believe we are called to follow our Lord's example of being servants to the SOWER ministry and other ministries we are serving. Philippines 2:3-8, Hebrews 5:8-9, John 13:1-20

MARRIAGE: We believe in God-defined marriage as a joining of both a God-created man and woman. Gen. 2:22-24; Rom. 7:2, 1 Cor. 7:10-11; Eph. 5:22-25

HUMAN SEXUALITY: We believe God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a God-defined marriage. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance. Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:22-24; Gen. 19:4-7; Gen. 26:8-10; Lev. 18:1-30; Det. 22:5; Rom. 1:26-32; 1 Cor. 5:1 and 6:9-10; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4. The SOWER Ministry will not approve applications for membership from those who participate in, believe in, or support these activities or lifestyles.

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31 Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of the SOWER Ministry.

This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of the SOWERS faith, doctrine, practice, policies, and discipline, the board of Trustees is the final interpretive authority on the Bible's meaning and application as it applies to SOWERS.