Our Beliefs, In Black and White
Our Mission Statement
Why Does Great Plains Fellowship Exist?
Proclaim Christ and His love to others,
Support and instruct believers to live a Christ-centered life, and
Strengthen believers to impact the world.
What We Believe
These things don’t change at Great Plains Fellowship:
- Our foundation is based firmly upon the whole Bible.
- We believe that the Bible is divinely inspired, without error and contains all we need in order to know and walk with God.
- The Bible is the final authority for all matters of faith, truth, and morality.
- We believe in God the Father, Almighty, Creator of all things visible and invisible.
- Who is infinite, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love.
- Who is active in the affairs of mankind.
- He hears and answers prayers.
- We believe in God the Son, Jesus Christ, who is at the center of everything, and by Him all things were created. He is the only one who can reconcile us to God.
- Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, both fully human and fully divine.
- Who lived a sinless life; suffered and was crucified on the cross, shedding his blood as an atonement for sin;
- Who rose again bodily from the dead on the third day; ascended into Heaven; and will return in victory to rule forever.
- We believe in God the Holy Spirit.
- Who convicts of sin, righteousness and judgement.
- Who dwells within believers; helps us in our weakness, intercedes for us in prayer; and is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide, through whom the Word of God is revealed.
- We believe in God the Father, Almighty, Creator of all things visible and invisible.
- Human beings were made in God’s image to love and worship Him forever. Although we were created to do good, we also have the freedom to do evil. Ever since Adam first rebelled against God, we continue to rebel against God in disobedience. This disobedience toward God is called sin which separates all humanity from God, leaving us under God’s judgment, and unable to save ourselves.
- God sent His only Son to save us from sin and reconcile us to Himself through Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection.
- Salvation—the forgiveness of sins—is only by grace through Jesus Christ. It is not something that can be purchased or earned.
- Out of his infinite love, God offers us undeserved grace, which we receive through faith in Jesus.
- He makes us new, calls us to leave sin behind, empowers us through the Holy Spirit, and invites us to join His work in the world.
- He will return to judge the living and the dead, condemning those who reject Him to perish, but rewarding His followers with eternal life.
- He promised he would return, but no one knows the day or the hour of his return. We are called to be prepared for his return at any moment.
- Hell is the eternal, horrifying destination for all who reject Jesus.
- Heaven is the eternal, satisfying home of God for all who accept Jesus.
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- We believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body of which Jesus Christ is the head, and all believers in Jesus Christ are members.
- Our identity is found in Jesus.
- We believe God calls His people to assemble into churches and that the Bible teaches that every Christian should be an active member of a local church.
- We believe that the Bible instructs church members to:
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- Assemble together regularly for fellowship, worship, teaching.
- Use our natural abilities and spiritual gifts to serve one another.
- Love one another, bear with one another, accept one another, and forgive one another.
- Seek unity, agreement, and peace with one another.
- Encourage one another.
- Bear one another’s burdens and pray for one another.
- Spur one another to love and good deeds.
- Pursue personal holiness and obedience to God’s Word.
- Share the Gospel where the Holy Spirit directs.
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- God desires to be in an active relationship with us and prayer is how we communicate with God. It is a dialogue, not a monologue.
- God is active in our lives. He hears our prayers and answers them.
- Prayer helps us align ourselves with God and His will.
- We are able to go directly to God in prayer because of the accepted sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
- The Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers and intercedes for us when we don’t know what to say.
- There is power in prayer.
Our Core Values
Love of Jesus – It is our love of Jesus that compels us to share the love of Jesus with everyone we meet, wherever God has us planted.
Family – Family is everything. It is God’s design; the world hates it; and we are called to do everything we can to protect it.
Unity – We communicate the love of Jesus to the communities we are in when we live in unity.
Balance – God is a God of balance. We must focus on reaching the lost without forgetting the building up of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Ephesians 4 gives us the model for keeping balance in all that we do for the kingdom.
Rural – We have a special focus on those who live in rural areas. The outcast and outsiders will always be welcome as we are all sinners saved by grace.
Focus Areas
Geographically – Rural communities in the 4 counties represented (Jackson, Johnson, Cass and Lafayette).
Marketplace – Where we work and conduct business (work/school/neighborhood/local community, etc.).
Lifestyle – Where we enjoy spending time (rodeo/tractors/coffee/guns/crafts/music/etc.).
Demographically – Similarities in life (Family/Men/Women/Married/Young Kids/Empty Nesters, etc.).