What We Believe

We believe in one living and loving God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and God's love, justice, mercy, and goodness are at the heart of who God is.

Bible Verse:
Deuteronomy 6:4 — “The LORD our God is one LORD.”

Also See: Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19; 1 John 4:8

We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human. Through His life, teachings, death, and resurrection, Jesus reveals God's love and offers us forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life.

Following Jesus is at the center of our life as Christians.

Bible Verse:
John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”

Also See: John 14:6; Colossians 1:15–20; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4

We believe the Holy Spirit is God's presence with us and within us. The Spirit guides, comforts, challenges, and empowers us to grow in faith and become more like Christ.

The Holy Spirit helps us recognize God's work in our lives and equips us to serve others.

Bible Verse:
John 14:26 — “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost... shall teach you all things.”

Also See: Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22–23; Romans 8:26

We believe the Bible is foundational to Christian faith and practice. Through Scripture, we encounter God's story, learn about God's relationship with humanity, and discover the good news of Jesus Christ.

We seek to read and understand Scripture faithfully and allow God's Word to shape how we live.

Bible Verse:
2 Timothy 3:16 — “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Also See: Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:22

God's grace is at the heart of our Wesleyan faith. We believe God's grace comes before us, meets us where we are, and continues to transform us as we grow in our relationship with God.

We cannot earn God's love. We respond to God's grace through faith and seek to live lives marked by love for God and our neighbors.

Bible Verse:
Ephesians 2:8–9 — “For by grace are ye saved through faith... not of works.”

Also See: Romans 5:8; Titus 2:11–12; 2 Corinthians 12:9

We believe every person is created in the image of God and has inherent worth.

Because God loves every person, we seek to be a welcoming community where people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and life experiences can worship, grow, and serve together.

Bible Verse:
Genesis 1:27 — “So God created man in his own image.”

Also See: Galatians 3:28; Psalm 139:13–14; Matthew 22:39

We believe the church is the body of Christ—a community called to worship God, grow in faith, care for one another, and participate in God's work in the world.

The church is more than a building. We are a people who gather together and are sent into the world to share God's love.

Bible Verse:
1 Corinthians 12:27 — “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

Also See: Acts 2:42–47; Ephesians 2:19–22; Matthew 28:19–20

We believe following Jesus calls us to love God and love our neighbors. Our faith should be visible in the way we care for others, serve our communities, seek justice, show compassion, and share God's love.

At Pender, we seek to follow Jesus by reaching out to others and serving wherever God has called us.

Bible Verse:
Micah 6:8 — “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good... to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”

Also See: Matthew 22:37–39; James 2:17; Galatians 5:13