Rev. Harkness' Mission Statement

I am a Christian committed to furthering Christ's work here on earth. 

He commissioned his disciples in Matthew 28:18-20:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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."

I am focused on others and not myself. I want to use the words of Jesus in reflecting who He is to everyone I meet. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." I try to "show and tell" people about Jesus.

Statement of Faith

• The Bible as originally given by God is divinely inspired, without error, declares His design and plan for mankind, is entirely trustworthy and the supreme and final authority for all matters of Christian faith, conduct and life.

• There is only One True God existent and revealed in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God has always been and will always be the only God. There were none before Him and there shall be none after Him.

• The Father created all things in heaven and on earth. He created people out of love and desires a personal relationship with each and everyone of us.

• Jesus Christ is true God and true man, born of the Holy Spirit and the virgin, Mary. He lived a sinless life, performed divine miracles, and died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins providing our redemption. Further, He arose bodily from the grave and ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven where He presently intercedes (mediates) for us awaiting His personal imminent return to earth in power and glory.

• The Holy Spirit dwells in each believer performing the miracle of new birth, making us aware of our sin, guiding, instructing and empowering us to live a godly life and to witness and work for the LORD.

• Man though originally good, created in God's image, fell into sin and became alienated (separated) from God and is therefore lost and subject to judgement. Man can do nothing to save himself from this judgment BUT by acknowledging our sin and accepting through faith God's gift of salvation made possible by Christ's death taking the place of our own eternal damnation, our fellowship with God will be restored.

• Sanctification initially occurs at salvation and is a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil and continually drawing closer to God and becoming more christlike. We believe in water baptism by immersion after repentance of sin and receiving Christ's gift of salvation. We share communion as a symbolic remembrance of His suffering and death. A special experience following salvation is the baptism in the Holy Spirit, evidenced by 'speaking in tongues', that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service.

• As Christians we have a mission to go to all the world and make disciples of all nations. We are to seek and save all who are lost in sin, believing that no sin is too big for God to forgive. Therefore, we are to be open and eager to share the gospel with everyone regardless of their sin or affliction. However, while being open to all we ought not accept, ignore, or promote any sin as permissable. We are to continually strive toward holiness and turn away from our sinful lives.