Every movement is fueled by a set of convictions. Here are ours.

God’s purposes go way beyond our lives. Our families and friends, our neighbors and coworkers, those who grew up where we did and those from halfway around the world, all matter to God. As long as there are people missing from God’s family, we will live with a sense of urgency. We consider it a duty and a privilege to do whatever it takes to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the people of Philadelphia, South Jersey, and the nations of the world.

We were made for family. Living in family can be one of the most challenging aspects of the human experience. And it can also be one of the most rewarding. We’ve decided to make the investment to build marriages that are joyful and enduring. We’re committed to being moms and dads who raise children who love God. And we’re convinced that these two things happen most effectively when we commit ourselves to one another as brothers and sisters in God’s family, the church.

We believe that a diverse city in a divided nation needs a reconciled church. Jesus’ death on the cross made it possible not only for human beings to get close to God, but for diverse ethnicities to get close to one another. We are convinced that in a racially diverse city, a multiethnic church is a stronger church, a richer church, and a more compelling church. We have committed ourselves to walking with one another, to fighting for our relationships with one another, to choosing love over indifference and unity over comfort. We believe a changed church can lead to a changed city.

We grow more quickly with the help of others. We’re not meant to figure everything out on our own. Other people help us see our blindspots. They inspire us to keep going when life gets hard. They ask questions that help us think more deeply about God and the world around us. They pray for us in a way that brings healing and transformation. God shapes our lives through people. Therefore, we are intentional to build the kind of relationships that help us grow as followers of Jesus Christ.

The church needs great leaders. All around us are people who need help getting to God and growing in God. But there is often a shortage of people who will follow Jesus’ example of leading for the good of others. We want to change that. We know that great leaders take responsibility. They start conversations. They build relationships. They ask hard questions. They energize those around them. We are committed to being and developing leaders who will build up Christ’s church and bless our city.

We serve a God of truth and power. He has given us his Word and his Spirit. God wants us to think and to feel. Therefore we don’t have to choose between asking hard questions or walking in the power of God’s Spirit; between using the minds God has given us or experiencing miracles of healing and deliverance; between growing in the wisdom of the Scriptures or trusting the Holy Spirit to speak to us and through us. All of this is from God, and we want all of this in our church.

We love students. A young person’s years in middle school, high school, and college are some of the most significant in his or her entire life. And we believe the church should be present for them. Therefore we deliberately engage the university communities in our city with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We financially support men and women who have dedicated themselves to reaching and mentoring students. And we seek to create environments in our services that will resonate with students and make it easier for them respond to God. The older generation often has to make sacrifices for the younger generation. We’re convinced it’s worth it.