Mission & Beliefs
Southwest's Mission
At Southwest Church, our mission is to follow Jesus and make disciples. This means we are learning to live like Jesus—loving God, loving others, and growing in our faith—and helping others do the same. It's about walking with Jesus in our everyday lives and inviting others to join us on that journey.
In 2014, the leadership of Southwest Church made a renewed commitment to discipleship, the practice of following Jesus. This focus has seen an increase in the number of baptisms, small groups, small group leaders, and greater church-wide spiritual maturity.
Since we are keenly focused on discipleship, Southwest feels it is wise to have a consistent and clear understanding of what a disciple is. We find a blueprint in Matthew 4:19 when Jesus formally calls his first disciples:
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.”
A disciple is someone who is following Jesus, is being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus.
In 2014, the leadership of Southwest Church made a renewed commitment to discipleship, the practice of following Jesus. This focus has seen an increase in the number of baptisms, small groups, small group leaders, and greater church-wide spiritual maturity.
Since we are keenly focused on discipleship, Southwest feels it is wise to have a consistent and clear understanding of what a disciple is. We find a blueprint in Matthew 4:19 when Jesus formally calls his first disciples:
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.”
A disciple is someone who is following Jesus, is being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus.
Core Beliefs
God
There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise. God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
(Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:1-2)
(Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:1-2)
Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He has coexisted with the Father throughout eternity. He became a human being through a miraculous conception. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the grave after three days demonstrating his power over sin and death. He later ascended to be with the Father and to intercede on our behalf. We believe that it is through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we have salvation from our sins and the gift of eternal life.
(John 1:1-5, 14; Colossians 2:6-7, 9)
(John 1:1-5, 14; Colossians 2:6-7, 9)
Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is also a distinct person, who has coexisted with the Father and the Son throughout eternity. He lives within every Christian from the moment of salvation. The Holy Spirit provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
(2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Romans 8:9-11)
(2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Romans 8:9-11)
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is God's written word. The Bible was recorded by human authors, who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. We also believe that the Bible is relevant and
applicable to our lives.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 4:12)
applicable to our lives.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 4:12)
Humans
People are created in the image of God and have tremendous potential for good, but all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin. Sin separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
(Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23; Ezekiel 18:20;
Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 6:23)
(Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23; Ezekiel 18:20;
Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 6:23)
Salvation
Jesus Christ is God's solution for our sins. Through him, we can experience God's forgiveness for our sins, receive God's Spirit, and be adopted into God's family forever. We believe that salvation is God's free gift to all who will respond in faith
to his wonderful grace.
(Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11; John 3:16; Acts 2:38-41)
to his wonderful grace.
(Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11; John 3:16; Acts 2:38-41)
Baptism
We practice and recognize the original, biblical form of baptism which is immersion in water. The New Testament word for baptize, baptizo, means "to immerse." By being immersed in water in Jesus' name we identify ourselves with his death, burial, and resurrection. We also follow the example and teaching of the Bible and baptize only intentional believers.
(Acts 2:38-41; Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 3:26-27)
(Acts 2:38-41; Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 3:26-27)
Communion
It is our practice to observe the Lord's Supper each weekend. The bread and juice remind us of the body and blood of Christ offered up for our sins on the cross. Jesus Christ ordained certain practices, so that his believers could remember that in a real way he is always with them. Baptism is the ordained event that the individual is initially united in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Lord's Supper is the ordained event to regularly renew that union with the risen Lord.
(Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
(Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will exist either eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with God is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. We believe that a Christian can have confidence of his/her eternal salvation.
(John 14:1-3; 1 John 5:13; Matthew 10:28)
(John 14:1-3; 1 John 5:13; Matthew 10:28)