MISSION
Everything we do is for the glory of God and the benefit of people.
At NorthWind, we love God and people.
FAITH & DOCTRINE
Unity, Liberty, Charity
Face it, differences in faith, doctrine and belief have been and always will be a catalyst for controversy and conflict. At NorthWind, we accept that as truth but choose to take the path of love and peace by being confident and compassionate.
- We know what we believe.
- We are proud to be a part of God’s people.
- We celebrate openly what we believe.
- We celebrate the fact we as well as others have the right to choose our beliefs.
- We never hide behind our beliefs.
- We are not shy about sharing our beliefs.
North Wind Church embraces the following three statements:
In essential beliefs - we have UNITY
Ephesians 4:4-6 “You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.”
In non-essential beliefs - we have LIBERTY
Romans 14: 1, 4, 22 (1)“Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.” (4)“Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help” (22) “Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent.”
I Corinthians 13:2 “If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.”
Statements of Faith
Bible
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible word of God, the revelation of God’s will for man. It is accurate, authoritative and applicable to our everyday lives.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Trinity
We believe there is only one true God who is creator of all things. From all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory. He is compassionate, loving and just toward all people, faithful to keep His promises. He is totally loving and completely holy.
Deuteronomy 6:4, John 15:26
Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only son. Both God and man, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and in now seated at the right hand of God the Father.
Matthew 1:18, Hebrews 12:2
Sin
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". The root of all sin is a self-motivated lifestyle. Sinful acts are the result of being led by selfish interests and desires. It was an act of selfish will that led man to fall into sin just as it was a selfish desire for power that led satan to rebel against God. It is sin that separates each of us from God and His Purpose for our lives.
Genesis 1:27, Romans 3:23, Galatians 5:16-21
Salvation
We believe in personal salvation and forgiveness of sins through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, acknowledging every person’s need for the grace and mercy of God. In order to receive forgiveness and 'new birth' we must repent of our sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 John 1:9
Holy Spirit
We believe in the present supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit and that He is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
John 16:13-14, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Spirit Baptism
We believe that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a promise from the Father for every believer and is distinct and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. Speaking in tongues, as the Holy Spirit gives utterance, is a physical indication of the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 3:11, Acts 2:4, 38-39, 19:4-6
Spirit In Operation
We believe the Holy Spirit has deposited within the church certain ministries and gifts. Ephesians 4:11-13 (AMP) "He Himself appointed and gave men to us; some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints, [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the knowledge of the Son of God...” God blessed the church with gifts, that when accessed, bring clarity to the vision and empowerment to the believers service.
1 Cor. 12:7-11
Water Baptism
We believe in water baptism by immersion. Baptism is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is a way for us to publicly declare our new life in Christ. No longer are we servants to sin, rather we have become servants of Jesus Christ. It is also a step of obedience based on God’s commands and allows us to follow the example of Jesus, who submitted himself to baptism to "fulfill all righteousness."
Matthew 3:16-17, 28:18-20, Acts 2:41, 8:12
The Church
We believe the church is the ecclesia ("called out ones"), called from every nation, representing the relationship of God with man/men. Everyone who acknowledges Jesus Christ as the Savior of their soul is included into this living, Organic “body”. An “Organic” body, means “life giving” and “life conveying.” In other words, we have been forgiven and restored. Therefore, we exist as a community with the mandate to lead others to the same forgiveness and restoration by proclaiming the gospel message.
As His church, we believe we are responsible to demonstrate through our relationships with Christ and with one another, "the immeasurable riches of His free grace in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus”.
Ephesians 2:7-21
Communion
We believe in the regular taking of the Lord’s Supper. Christ instructed that it is a way to remember His willing sacrifice on the cross.
Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Healing
We believe in Divine Healing and that Jesus is the Healer.
Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 8:16-17, James 5:14-15, 1 Peter 2:24
Prayer
We believe in the power and effectiveness of prayer as Christ continually modeled while here on earth.
Philippians 4:6-7, James 5:15-16
Second Coming/Eternity
We believe in the rapture (catching away) of the church, the body of Christ, including all who are "in Christ". We believe this event will be followed by a 7 year period of tribulation on the earth at the end of which, Christ will return with His saints to vanquish and conquer all the powers of evil. Following the victory, Christ will set up a thousand year (millennial) kingdom upon the earth. After this, A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. We believe Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence and that our eternal destination of either is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Daniel 10, 11, Matthew 24:29-31, John 14:1-3 , Ephesians 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 John 5:11 , Revelation 20:15 , Revelation 20:6