About Us

Core Beliefs

God

Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has always existed as one God that is found in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are equal in power and work together to carry out God’s purposes. (John 1:3; Genesis 1:1-2; Matthew 28:19; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:20; Romans 6:3-4; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 8:16; I Corinthians 12; 1 Peter 1:2)

• Father- The Father provides the foundation of life. This foundation is un-changing, all-powerful, and eternal. He is also a Leader that guides, protects, knows all, and modeled unconditional love and forgiveness as He gave His son for our lives. (Matthew 7:11; Luke 15:11-32; Matthew 7:24-27; Psalm 102:26-27; Genesis 18:19; Isaiah 44:6; Genesis 1:1)
• Son- Jesus Christ is God’s son, sent from heaven to take on human life. While on earth He was fully God and fully human. Jesus lived a sinless human life. He then offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by allowing Himself to be killed on a cross. This Roman process of execution was called crucifixion. He demonstrated His power over sin and death by rising from the dead after three days in a tomb. He was taken into Heaven where He mediates on our behalf. He resides there until the day He returns to reign as the Ruler of all the earth. (Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
• Holy Spirit- The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment they accept Jesus as their Leader and Savior. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right and best. He gives every person who accepts Christ a spiritual gift. These gifts are provided for the church’s efforts to take the saving message of Jesus Christ to people that have not accepted Him. Christians seek to live under the control of the Holy Spirit every day. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18)

Church

The local Church is the hope of the world. It exists as the active agent provided by God that will bring people life in Jesus Christ who currently have no relationship with Him. It also serves as a community of people that nurtures those who have started this relationship. (See the book of Acts)

• The Bible- God gave His Word to the church so that we could understand Him and follow His ways. It was written by over 40 different human authors, across more than 1500 years on three continents. The Bible was written under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Not one error or contradiction has ever been found that proves the contents of the Bible to be false. It is the ultimate source of truth for Christian beliefs and Christian living. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
• Coming Together- The church is a group of people that gathers to worship God, celebrate His actions, learn about His ways, and hold one another accountable in living the Christian life. (Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:46)
• Lord’s Supper and Baptism- Both of these practices are important in the life of the church. Students that are participants in Imagine the Impact may come from churches or denominations that practice the Lord’s Supper and baptism in different ways. Imagine the Impact is an interdenominational ministry and for the sake of unity in Jesus Christ we will not teach or instruct in these areas where doctrinal interpretations could differ. Rather, we ask that churches and denominations provide this training for students in their home settings.

People

People are made in the image of God and represent God’s greatest creation. While all people have tremendous potential – everyone struggles with disobedience and defiance of God (this is called “sin”). Since God is perfect, ultimately sin separates us from God (now and for eternity). Sin also causes us many problems in life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23)

• Salvation - Salvation is God’s free gift which we have the responsibility to accept. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or hard work. It is only by trusting Jesus’ death on the cross, as the means of paying the penalty for our sin, that we can be saved. (Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9 John 14:6; Galatians 3:26)
• Sanctification - The moment someone accepts Christ they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The guidance of the Holy Spirit enables a believer to be continually transformed more and more into the image of God. Though our deeds may never become perfect in this world, increasingly our thoughts, motivations and desires should align themselves with God’s desires and hopes for us. (I Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 5:22, 25)
• Abundant life and Assurance - The new life we received at salvation is not only everlasting, but it begins here and now. In God we can find fullness of life, love for others and fulfillment of our purpose. (Romans 5:10, 17; Galatians 4:6-7; I John 5:12-13)