Mission Statement
It is the mission of the One Faith Unified Body of Christ Church to be a ministry of faith by obedience and to change the face of church as usual. To change the face of church as usual, means to change the church “us” and the image that the world currently sees, understanding that it is our responsibility to be the reflection of the very face (image) of God. It is further our mission not to be a ministry of oppression whereby we would try to force obedience based upon thought of God’s will, but rather to live an example filled life that will cause those to be drawn to Him. It is our mission to enlighten the minds of God’s people causing them to change from being lookers for God (walking by sight) and becoming seekers (walking by faith): where looking for God we have the thought of Him meeting our expectations and in seeking give up our thought of Him in exchange for a sincere desire to understand and follow Him. It is the mission of this ministry to focus on the Law of God and not the doctrine of man, to heal those who are blind allowing them to see in the Spirit, to heal the deaf causing them to hear the voice of God, to heal the lame that they can walk upright before Him, to feed the Bread of Life and give drink of the Living Water to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, to draw the strangers that have been alienated from a life of God because of sin, to clothe those who are naked in sin with a cloke of righteousness, to be a physician to those who are suffering from the sickness of sin, and free those oppressed in the prison of their mind by sin. It is our mission to feed God’s people with knowledge and understanding and not just become another place of worship, some forerunning denomination, or a stumbling block of offense in an already raging war that exist in the religious community; but rather one that focuses on correctly utilizing the gifts that Christ gave to the church (apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, and teachers) to do the work of the ministry brining into existence what we were meant to be: An edified body of believers moving toward perfection, into the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of Christ to become like Him. It is our mission to serve the will of God that none should perish but gain eternal life, by not making them acquaintances of a church organization but in establishing and maintaining a relationship with God through the gift of Christ. It is our mission not to just establish some large membership base, but rather to train laborers for God’s vineyard that understand their gift and how to utilize it for God’s purpose, seeing that it’s used in the Spirit of unity not supremacy. Our mission, to compel others to come and follow us as we also follow Christ, a commitment to counting all things gained but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ!
Statement of Faith
Hebrews 11:6 tells us: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”
Therefore, this ministry being rooted, grounded and founded by faith render this statement of faith based upon the following beliefs:
The Scriptures
We believe that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). We understand this to mean that the whole Bible is inspired, in that holy men of God “were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21) to write the very words of scripture; and due to this understanding further believe that it is only beneficial to us as we learn to digest it spiritually as opposed to by human comprehension as with any other human written book giving the distinction between interpretation and revelation. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of scripture as it appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in those original manuscripts is, therefore, without error. We believe that all scripture centers around the Lord Jesus Christ in His person, work and in His first and second coming. Therefore, no portion of the Old Testament is properly read or understood until one is led to Christ. We also believe that all scripture was designed for our practical instruction. (Luke 24:27,44); (John 5:39); (Romans 15:4); (1 Corinthians 10:11); (2 Timothy 3:16)
The Triune Godhead
We believe in the one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal and unchangeable, and revealed to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit/Ghost. It is important that we understand that though They be three, They do not exist nor operate in supremacy one to the other but in total divine unity and as we learn to do the same are one with Them as well as each other.
God the Father: God, as Father, reigns over all of His universe with providential care. He is all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing, and all-wise. He is fatherly in attitude toward all men but is Father, indeed to those who have become children of God through Jesus Christ, who will deliver them into the Father’s hands. (Genesis 1:1); (1 Chronicles 29:10); (Jeremiah 10:10); (Matthew 6:9); (Acts 1:7); (Romans 8:14-15); (1 Corinthians 8:6); (1 Corinthians 15:24); (Ephesians 4:6)
God the Son: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. He accomplished this redemption by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God’s righteous judgment against sin. After substantiating the grave, He ascended to the right hand of His Father where just as the rainbow of the old covenant of redemption severed as a reminder in the throne room in Noah’s time; Christ serves as the same reminder in the new covenant of redemption and intercedes on behalf of those who trust in Him. (Luke 1:34,35); (John 1:1,2,14,18); (Romans 3:24-26); (Romans 8:34)
God the Holy Spirit/Ghost: We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts the believer of sin (righteousness and judgment); that He alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead; that He baptizes (or places) all believers into the one true Church which is the Body of Christ; that He indwells them, seals them unto the day of final redemption, brings God’s anointing upon their spiritual gifts, and fills (controls those who are yielding to Him. He is also the ultimate teacher giving us revelation of the word leading to right believing and living (producing spiritual fruitfulness). Every believer is called to live in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit so that he will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God. (John 3:3-8); (John 14:16,17); (John 16:7-11); (1 Corinthians 12:7-11,13); (Ephesians 4:30); (Ephesians 5:18)
Creation
We believe that man was created directly by and in the image of God. We believe that God created the Heavens and the earth, including all life, by direct act. (Genesis 1:26,27); (John 3:3); (Romans 3:10, 23)
The Devil – Satan
We believe that Satan is spiritual in person, the author of sin, the father of lies, and the reason for the fall of man, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Matthew 4:1-3); (Acts 5:3); (2 Corinthians 4:4); (Revelation 20:10)
Atonement for Sin
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice and that all who believe on Him are redeemed by His shed blood. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ and His ascension into Heaven; He is our Hight Priest and Advocate. (John 1:1-3,14); (John 3:1-7); (Hebrews 10:4-14); (John 2:2)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God’s Grace. It cannot be gained or made more secure by meritorious works, but is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who so trust in the Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (John 1:12); (Acts 16:30-33); (Romans 10:9,10); (Ephesians 1:7); (Ephesians 2:8,9)
The Christian Walk
We believe that we have a holy calling to walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit, and so to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit in order that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The flesh is never eradicated in this life. Individuals must choose to keep the flesh in subjection to Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, or it will surely manifest its presents in life and dishonor or Lord. We must constantly strive to become partakers of the divine nature which allows us to do things in a Christ-like manner. (Romans 6:11-13); (Romans 8:2); (Romans 4:12,13); (Galatians 5:16-23); (Ephesians 4:22-24); (Colossians 2:1-10); (1 Peter 1:14-16); (1 John 1:4-7); (1 John 3:5-9); (2 Peter 1:2-9)
Marriage/Divorce
We believe that marriage is honorable in the sight of God and according to the holy scripture to be entered into by a man and woman and therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God. We further believe that all governing commandments concerning Christian marriage is given in accordance with the holy scriptures. It is not or belief that marriage is to be entered by those of the same sex nor do we render ceremonial services in that regard. It is our belief that divorce is against the will of God for any reason other than fornication (sex outside of marriage), however according to the holy scriptures if a couple decides to separate for any other reason than (fornication) then they are to stay married giving the chance for reconciliation and if they are to divorce then they are not to remarry. Should a man and woman marry and one be a believer and the other not it is our belief according to scripture that so as long as they agree to be together they should, however if the unbeliever decides to divorce for peace sake they can do so. (Hebrews 13:4); (1 Corinthians 7:2-16)
The Great Commission
Until the return of Christ, it is the Christian’s duty and privilege to seek the fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission and to minister in His name to a needy world. We understand doing this is just not in word but exclusively in living according to His examples causing those in the world to be drawn to Him through such living. We are to be instruments of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit ministers redemption and reconciliation in the world. (Matthew 25:31-46); (Matthew 28:18-20)
Unity not Diversity Statement
Est. September 17, 2016
I had always been of the thought, thinking as a black pastor, that I didn’t just want a “black” church, but a diverse church that welcomed all races and types of people. Today, God shows me the error of this thinking: because He did not make us divers, “we” have made each other diverse through our carnal ways of seeing things. If I however cater to diversity, I must act differently or make my message relevant not only to the matter of race, but to it and every other means of diversity; black, white, hispanic, male, female, age, bond, free, or any other man-made diversified category. When we cater to such diversities it changes the message that was meant to unify us spiritually and rule above the old thinking of our carnal mind. The Spirit makes diversities the same, leaving transparency thus revealing only the truth and righteousness. Diversities cause us to fight for relevance further dividing us through the very diversities we uphold. This is why we fear things such as; women pastors and/or their placement in other positions or make our message relevant to whatever diverse crowd we attempt to cater or appeal to. One major purpose of Christ’s coming was to unify us, this statement is made fact in the following scriptures: 1Co. 12:12,13; Col. 3:9-11; and Ga. 3:28. We can never be unified long as we consider ourselves diverse and seek supremacy through these diverse categories. Diversity resides in the carnal mind and sees only the human differences it elects to see and thereby induces the works of the flesh, which are stated in Ga. 5:19-21. If we therefore only see men or women there is room to lust, race or nationality room for discrimination, bond or free room for judgment. The Spiritual mind only sees God’s people or the children of God; not entitlements of a particular diverse category of people, but a unity under one Father in which we all depend. There’s no differences in the children of God as we are all entitled to the same thing; “Eternal Life”. We therefore understand that God does not give blessings in the sense of making any of us greater or less, but as a matter of purpose for the greater good of us all, which is the very wisdom of Is. 55:8-11. I therefore dropping my own sense of diversity, just see myself as a pastor and look forward to pastoring a unified and not diversified church. I sincerely believe that it is the very reason God gave change in the name of our ministry from; “The Stop Before Heaven Ministries” to “One Faith Unified Body of Christ Church”; because these ministries are not diverse but the same being unified in purpose, and therefore the people that represent its very existence must be also. I then make the solemn vow and commitment this day (the establishment date of this document) before God and the host of heaven that all He charges to my leadership will be seen as equal through the eyes of the Spirit and not different through the carnal mind of diversity. Therefore from henceforth, nobody will be exempt from any position in OFUBOCC or throughout the future OFFUBOCC/COTBOC organization as a result of a diverse category; man, woman, bond, free, race, nationality, rich, poor, young, or old as we are all one and used by God based upon availability not diversity.
“This statement is inclusive and unequivocal to those who walk in the Spirit, and therefore let it be established as a foundational principle of this ministry and future organization.”
AMEN
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