Gateway Life Church's Core Values

Our Values

Lordship

We value obedience:  Because Jesus is "King of kings and Lord of lords," we believe that whole-hearted submission to God's will and His Word is the starting place of the Christian faith and the foundation of all spiritual growth.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him... - Colossians 2:6
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 7:21

Worship

We value a sincere and pure devotion to Christ:  Because Christ is worthy of our worship and because worship is learned and invites the presence of God, we desire to be a church where one can learn and mature in becoming a true worshipper and one fully devoted to God.

"...sincere and pure devotion to Christ." - 2 Cor 11:3b (NIV)
"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." - 2 Chron. 16:9a (NLT)
"yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." - Psalm 22:3 (NLT)
"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you." - Psalm 89:15 (NIV)
"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." - John 4:24

Family

We value long-term relationships:  Because the family is one of the dynamic means by which God propagates the gospel and is the foundation and validation for all ministry, we refuse to sacrifice our marriages and our children on the altars of temporal success. And because we believe God has called us to be a spiritual family, we reject the idea of disposable relationships and choose to walk in love, respect, and unity.

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain... Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him." - Psalm 127:1,3
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
   - Ephesians 4:3
"... I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name." - Ephesians 3:14-15

Evangelism

We value lost people:  Because God's heart is to reach the lost, we seek to build our church primarily through evangelism---not transfer, through birth---not adoption.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." - Luke 19:10
"...there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents..." - Luke 15:7
"Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." - Luke 15:23-24
"...repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations..."
   - Luke 24:47

Discipleship

We value spiritual growth:  Because we are called to make disciples, our primary focus is ministering to people, not conducting meetings, administering programs, or building buildings.

"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 very end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple...In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:27,33 (NIV)
"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:8 (NIV)
"Therefore I urge you to imitate me." - 1 Cor 4:16 (NIV)
"Make every effort to add to your faith...if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)

Leadership

We value leadership development:  Because we are called to rule the earth and raise up spiritual leaders, we prioritize leadership training and deliberately create opportunities for potential leaders to develop their gifts so they can influence society for Christ.

"Rule..." - Genesis 1:28 (NIV)
"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." - 2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
"You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world... let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. "
   - Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." - Luke 6:40 (NIV)
"...with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you."
   - 2 Cor. 10:13 (ESV)

 

About Gateway Life

Contact Us