What to Expect When Visiting MCC
Marsh Creek Church has always been a diverse group of people united by our desire to help people develop a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ and with one another, so they can grow to their full potential in Christ.
When you visit Marsh Creek Church, there are several things that you can expect:
- a warm welcome from friendly people who’ll help you find your way around
- a creative and compelling environment
- a café time where you can relax and relate with a coffee in hand
- today’s music, powerful dramas, high-impact media
- to have your infant to grade 5 children experience the best hour of their week
- to have your youth impacted about issues in their life
- teaching that is relevant to your life
- to come as you are, knowing that you matter to God – and to MCC
We hope you take the opportunity to visit us on a Sunday in the near future to experience Marsh Creek Church for yourself.
When & Where We Meet
Marsh Creek Church meets Sundays at 10:00am at our Warehouse location (in the office park) at 180 Gordon Dr. – Suite 108. A casual atmosphere will welcome you as you enter our building – come as you are, and experience the difference.
What We Believe
The following beliefs are at the heart of all we say and do at Marsh Creek Church. We have included references from the Bible if you would like to study the Biblical basis for these beliefs.
1. We believe in the historic Christian faith, reflected in these statements:
About Revelation and Scripture
We believe that it is the nature of God to make Himself known. God reveals Himself to humanity in various ways, most clearly in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. We accept these divinely inspired writings as the authoritative Word of God. (John 1:1-2, 18; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-2; 11:6)
About God and Creation
The Bible opens with the words, "In the beginning God created..." This dramatic statement declares God to be the eternal source and foundation of all that is. The Bible proceeds to reveal the person, nature, and character of the triune God who forever is--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1--2; Psalm 24:1-2; Hebrews 11:3)
About Humanity and Sin
God created man and woman in His image. Humans are distinct from all other forms of creation, having spiritual as well as physical characteristics. When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, their nature became sinful. This sinful nature has become an inherent part of the human experience and has separated man from God. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7-9, 15-20; 9:1-6; Psalm 8:3-8; 90:1-6; 139:13-16; Ecclesiastes 12:1-7; Acts 17:26-28)
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, God the Son, is a distinct person of the Trinity, in perfect equality and unity with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He was God incarnate--God in the flesh--and lived on earth as a man, fully human, yet without sin. By His suffering and sacrificial death for us, Jesus Christ provided complete atonement for sin. The bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead after three days testifies decisively of His deity and His victory over sin and death. The risen Christ ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for us. At the end of time, all things in heaven and earth will be brought under His rule. Every person will bow before Him and He will reign forever. (Ephesians 1:3-14; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 1:1-3)
About Salvation
Salvation is graciously provided by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The response of faith is a personal reliance on God's grace and a turning from sin to righteousness. All who come to faith in Christ are born again, receive the Holy Spirit, become children of God, and receive the assurance of eternal life. (Luke 3:7-9; 5:31-32; 18:9-14; John 3:1-17; 16:5-15)
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a divine person who eternally co-exists with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit works in the world, convincing persons of sin and bringing them to repentance and faith, guiding them to fullness of life in Christ. He helps the children of God in their need, cleanses and sets them apart for holy living, and empowers them for service. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all believers according to His sovereign will and purposes, given for the building up of the church and for ministry in the world. (Genesis 1:2; John 3:34; 14:16-17; 15:26; Acts 2; 10:38; Hebrews 9:14)
About the Church
Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ established the church to be God's new community. Jesus Christ is the head of the church, the redeemed community. His Word and will are authoritative among us. The church consists of all those who trust Jesus Christ as Savior and follow Him as Lord. The ordinances of the church are baptism and communion, which are to be observed in obedience to our Lord's command. (Acts 2:41-47; 15; Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11; Philippians 2:2-16)
About Eternal Hope and Judgment
The final destiny of all things lies in God's hands. In God's time, creation will be renewed in Christ. The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord, and He shall reign forever. God will judge righteously at the close of the age. Those who have trusted Him and obediently followed Jesus as Lord will live eternally in His presence in heaven. Those who have not trusted Him will be eternally shut out from the presence of God in hell. (Psalm 110:1; Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 1:19-20; Revelation 11:15)
Note: The above statements are excerpts taken from the Manual of Doctrine and Government of the Brethren In Christ Church.
2. The essentials we believe:
In essential beliefs - we have unity.
"There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all..." Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs - we have liberty.
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls...So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." Romans 14:1,4,12,22
In all our beliefs - we show charity.
"...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains - but have no love, I amount to nothing at all." 1 Corinthians 13:2
Our Story
Based on demographical research and analysis, the Atlantic Conference of the Brethren in Christ Church believed there was a need for a new church planting in the greater Philadelphia area. The BIC saw the growing, family-oriented population in central Chester County, and recognized among its residents a potential receptiveness--attraction, even--to a new church in this area. They were thinking of you! Now that the locale had been chosen, a pastor was needed to head up the church planting project.
Founding Pastor - Rev. Terry Friesen
Terry was invited by the BIC to be the church planting pastor. He and his family visited the area in January 1994 to get a sense of God's plan for them regarding this new church. Traveling north on Route 100 between Routes 30 & 113, the Friesens immediately recognized the potential within the developing community. They believed God was indeed calling them to this area, and they responded by accepting the invitation and moving to Downingtown in August 1994. The BIC provided the Friesen family with the funding that was needed to bring the new church from an idea to a reality.
Challenge - Reaching the growing population
The demographics clearly showed the Downingtown - Exton area to consist mainly of young and growing families. They also projected continued and explosive growth of this area. The Friesens set the target date for the Grand Opening Celebration for April 16, 1995 - Easter Sunday. They knew it would take a huge effort, tapping all available resources and utilizing a variety of marketing strategies, to make the launch of the new church successful. Of course, the baby church needed a name, and since Marsh Creek Lake and State Park is such a prominent landmark in central Chester County, it seemed natural and appropriate to name the new church Marsh Creek Church.
Grand Opening Celebration - Awesome!
Pastor Terry was feeling pretty anxious Easter morning, April 16 1995, as he waited in the newly renovated Lionville Fire Hall. Only a half hour until the start of the service, and he could count those in attendance on one hand. Had they done enough to prepare?
Would the people show up? Just 15 minutes later, the cars started rolling into the lot, bringing nearly 300 people to the facility! Seven months of research, networking and promotion had paid off, as many individuals who had previously written off church found a fresh and safe place to seek Truth and find and worship God at Marsh Creek Church.
Ch-ch-changes...
In the spring of 1999 Pastor Terry accepted the call of the Southeast Conference of the BIC to plant The Harbour Church in Orlando, FL. It was difficult to leave Marsh Creek Church, but God's leading was unmistakably clear. The Friesens made the move, leaving Marsh Creek Church with the task of searching for a new senior pastor. Interestingly, though, during the evacuations preceding Hurricane Floyd in 1999, Jeff Nicely, a young pastor, showed up with his family at the Friesens' door in Florida seeking shelter from the impending storm. Upon hearing about the need of the Marsh Creek Church congregation, Jeff submitted his resume, was interviewed, and was welcomed as the new pastor in January 2000.
Under Pastor Jeff's leadership, the congregation rose to the challenge of finding and renovating its own Worship Center, and moving from the Lionville Fire Hall to its current location, 180 Gordon Drive, Suite 108.
The Return of the Rev
Things got a little strange for Marsh Creek Church and The Harbour Church, as both pastors Jeff and Terry, respectively, resigned their positions. The pastoral search team at Marsh Creek Church began--what else?--the search for a new pastor, while Terry was beginning a six-month sabbatical to complete his Doctoral Thesis. Just for fun, and because he could, Terry was invited to interview for the position of Senior Pastor at Marsh Creek Church. In May 2005, the search team invited Terry to return as Senior Pastor, and on July 1, 2005 he was officially received at Marsh Creek Church.
The Saga continues...
It's been an exciting and breath-taking journey, one we have often enjoyed and sometimes endured together as a church. We are confident that God Himself guides and leads Marsh Creek Church, and we really are delighted to join Him in offering hope and love to those in our community. What's around the next corner? As new possibilities unfold before us, we smile knowing that God holds our future. We invite you to help us write the next chapters of the Marsh Creek Church story. We definitely have a place for you!
Our Vision
The vision of Marsh Creek is to lead people into a genuine relationship with Christ. The basis of our belief is the Bible which is inspired by God, is without error and is the final authority for our faith and practice. The Bible teaches that there is one God who eternally exists forever as three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God created people in His image for the purpose of enjoying fellowship with Him, but they disobeyed God and their nature became sinful.
This nature has become an inherent part of the human experience and has separated us from God. As a result, we need God's grace to save us and to bring us into a genuine relationship with Himself. This salvation cannot be earned, but must be received personally through repentance and faith. Jesus Christ lived a perfect and sinless life on earth and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. This act accomplishes salvation for all who trust in Him alone.
Jesus rose from the dead and is the only way for us to connect with God in a personal relationship. Jesus will return to earth at a day and hour that no one knows. When He returns, everyone will be resurrected to eternal life, everyone will stand before God to be judged, and those who have trusted Christ for salvation in this life will enter into eternal fellowship with God in heaven. Those who pushed back in this life and refused Christ will enter into eternal separation from Christ in hell. Today, the Holy Spirit is drawing sinners to Christ and is giving gifts to believers for service in the church. The church is intended to honor Christ through its role in helping believers grow in their personal faith while serving those who are in need.
Our Affiliation
Marsh Creek Church is affiliated with the Brethren In Christ Church, which was instrumental in the birthing of Marsh Creek Church (see Our Story).
Who Are The Brethren In Christ (BIC)?
The eight core values (following) can help you to better understand the Brethren In Christ. In these core values we declare our ties with true Christians of all times and every place. We confess with them the faith as embodied in the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed.
In broad strokes these values convey the essential beliefs of the denomination as stated in our Articles of Faith and Doctrine. They express in greater detail the purpose of the denomination: "...to foster a fellowship of believers whose objective is to worship and obey the triune God, and to proclaim His gospel to all people."
