New Here?

What should I wear to church?

Answer: We don't have a dress code. Jeans and a button-up seem to be the norm. That being said, everyone that attends a worship service should give thought to how their dress might impact the worship experience. Wear what is comfortable, but remember that even the way we dress glorifies God.

What should I be expecting?

Answer: We have a simple organization. You'll be greeted and offered a bulletin upon entering the facility. We won't call you to the stage or surprise you in any way. We sing songs and dive into the Word of God together. We love to fellowship a bit before and after service. We keep things simple at GBF, so you won't see a list of Sunday School classes to attend; rather, we offer Bible studies for all ages on Wednesday evenings. We also have Journey Groups in homes where we fellowship together, eat together, and study the Word together. We offer child care for children aged Infant - 5th grade on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.

Will I be asked to do anything if I visit?

Answer: We won't put you on the spot at GBF. We would, however, love to have you fill out an optional Visitor form (online or a physical copy that you can leave in the offering box) so that we can get in touch with you for a visit, phone call, or email during the week.

What is a service like? Do I need to prepare myself for anything?

Answer: With the exception of occasional holidays and special anniversaries, we try to keep services consistent. We open with a song before the pastor welcomes everyone. After the welcome, we worship together again through song, then the pastor delivers the message. We typically close the service with one more song before conveying any necessary updates/announcements. When the service is over, many families continue in fellowship by enjoying one of our local dining options.

Are there any "rules" that I need to know if I have never been to church before?

Answer: Yes. We do not allow open carry in our facilities, and we ask that you do not enter our Children's Ministry areas unless you are dropping off/picking up your child. In addition to this, we ask that only one parent drop the children off at a time. This helps with security, as well as to avoid congestion.

What will the service consist of?

Answer: Greeting and Fellowship before church. We begin promptly at 10:00am with our opening song. After the Welcome, we sing about three more songs together, then the pastor shares the sermon. After the closing song, we go over any updates/announcements that the church family needs to be aware of. At the end of service, parents pick up their children, some continue to fellowship, and many head straight to lunch. We keep this order of service with the exception of holidays and special anniversaries.

The Great Commandment - “Jesus said, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart...soul...mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.'” Matthew 22:36-40

The Great Commission - “Jesus said, ‘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.” Matthew 28:19-20

ABOUT GOD

God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. We refer to this as the Trinity, or the “tri-unity” of God. Our God is one God, but He has revealed Himself in three co-equal dimensions.

Genesis 1:1,26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, co-equal with the Father. He came to earth, was born of a virgin, and received a human body in order to show God to men and to redeem the lost world. He is fully God and fully man. Jesus 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 on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make human beings aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He gives every believer a spiritual gift at that moment. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. As Christians, we should seek to live under His control daily.

2 Cor 3:17; John 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 2:12; 3:16; Eph 1:13; Gal 5:25; Eph 5:18

ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian belief and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is absolute truth, is inerrant, being free from error or mistake, and can be trusted as our authority.

2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6; 119:105; 160

ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

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, each of us is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates us from God, is the source of our problems in life, and must be dealt with if we are to have a relationship with God.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; 59:1-2; Romans 3:23

ABOUT SALVATION

God makes salvation available to everyone as a free gift, but it must be accepted. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his/her life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose it.” Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. When Christ died on the cross, he provided a “once for all” sacrifice that resulted in “eternal redemption” for the believer.

Hebrews 7:25; 9:12; 10:10,14; John 5:24, 6:37-40, 10:27-29; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Ephesians 1:4-5, 13-14

ABOUT ETERNITY

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. The Bible calls eternal separation from God “Hell.” To be in eternal union with him results in eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; 14:17; Romans 6:23; 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9