WHAT WE BELIEVE
You do not have to have every question answered before you walk through our doors. But we believe you deserve to know what shapes us.
These are the biblical truths at the center of who we are, how we live, and why we exist.
MORE THAN A STATEMENT
WHAT WE BELIEVE SHAPES HOW WE LIVE
At Cultivate, our beliefs are more than words on a page. They shape the way we follow Jesus, love people, build community, and serve the world around us.
We hold firmly to the essential truths of the historic Christian faith, while making room for honest questions and growing faith. You do not have to pretend, perform, or have everything figured out before you belong here. We believe God meets us in our questions and leads us into truth through His Word, His Spirit, and His people.
Jesus is the center of our faith. Scripture is our foundation. The Holy Spirit empowers us. Love is our posture. Mission is our response.
CORE BELIEFS
THE GOD WE WORSHIP
The Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In its original writings, it is without error and fully trustworthy.
Scripture reveals who God is, tells the story of His rescue, points us to Jesus, and serves as the final authority for what we believe and how we live.
2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 119:105
One God
We believe there is one true God—eternal, sovereign, and Creator of all things. He exists forever in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Each person of the Trinity is fully God, distinct in person, yet perfectly one in nature, power, and glory.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, and revealed the Father perfectly.
Jesus willingly died in our place, was buried, rose bodily from the grave on the third day, ascended to heaven, reigns as Lord, and will return again.
John 1:1–14; Colossians 1:15–20; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 1:9–11
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God and is present and active in the world today. He convicts us of sin, leads us to Jesus, gives us new life, indwells every believer, forms Christlike character in us, and empowers the Church for witness and service.
We believe the gifts of the Spirit remain available today and should be practiced biblically, humbly, and in ways that build up the Church and point people to Jesus.
John 16:7–15; Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Corinthians 12–14
THE STORY OF REDEMPTION
Humanity and Sin
We believe every person is created in the image of God and therefore possesses sacred worth, dignity, and purpose.
Humanity chose sin, breaking our relationship with God and bringing brokenness into every part of life. Every one of us has sinned, and none of us can rescue ourselves.
Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 3; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23
Salvation
We believe salvation is a gift of God’s grace offered to all people. It cannot be earned through religion, good behavior, or human effort.
Through repentance and faith in the finished work of Jesus, we are forgiven, reconciled to God, made new by the Holy Spirit, and given eternal life. Jesus is the only way to the Father.
John 3:16; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:9–10; 2 Corinthians 5:17
The Church
We believe the Church is not simply a building or a weekly gathering. The Church is the family of everyone who follows Jesus.
Christ is the head of the Church, and every believer has a place and purpose in His body. We gather to worship, learn Scripture, practice community, use our gifts, care for one another, and carry the good news of Jesus into the world.
Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 4:11–16
The Christian Life
We believe grace meets us exactly where we are, but loves us too much to leave us there.
Following Jesus is a lifelong process of becoming more like Him through Scripture, prayer, worship, community, obedience, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. We do not expect perfection, but we do believe a life surrendered to Jesus should continue to produce growth.
Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 1:6; James 1:22
THE LIFE WE PRACTICE AND THE HOPE WE CARRY
Water Baptism
We believe water baptism by immersion is the next step of obedience for a person who has trusted in Jesus.
Baptism does not earn salvation. It is a public picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and an outward declaration of the new life He has begun within us.
Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4
Communion
We believe communion is a sacred practice given to the Church by Jesus.
Through the symbols of bread and the cup, we remember His body broken and blood shed for us, celebrate the grace that makes us one family, and proclaim His death until He returns.
Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
The Return of Christ and Eternity
We believe Jesus will personally and bodily return, the dead will be raised, and God will judge with perfect justice.
Those who trust in Christ will enjoy eternal life with God. Those who reject Him will remain eternally separated from Him. Our hope is the resurrection, the restoration of all things, and the day God makes all things new.
John 14:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 20:11–15; Revelation 21:1–5
BELIEFS IN ACTION
WE ARE NOT JUST LEARNING WHAT IS TRUE. WE ARE LEARNING TO LIVE IT.
Faith is not simply agreeing with a statement. Following Jesus changes the way we love, forgive, serve, give, lead, and live.
That is why everything we do at Cultivate is centered around four areas of growth:
Faith — Knowing Jesus and becoming more like Him.
Community — Building honest, life-giving relationships.
Purpose — Discovering how God has uniquely created and called us.
Change — Using our lives to shine the light of Jesus into the world.