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 6 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 Misson and Values
MISSION STATEMENT of Marsh Creek Church:
We help people develop a genuine relationship with Christ, with one another, and with others in our changing world
This mission is based on two key scriptures:
The Great Commandment: “Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40
The Great Commission: “Jesus came and told His disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20
VALUES of Marsh Creek Church:
- Christ Centered Community
- Transformed Journey
- Authentic Community
- Grace
- Generosity
Our Affiliation
Marsh Creek Church is affiliated with the Brethren In Christ Church (www.bic-church.org), which was instrumental in the birthing of Marsh Creek Church (see Our Story).
Who Are The Brethren In Christ (BIC)?
Thanks for asking! The ten 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."
Experiencing God’s Love and Grace – we value the free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Believing the Bible – we value the Bible as God’s authoritative Word, study it together, and build our lives on its truth.
Worshiping God – we value heartfelt worship that is God-honoring, Spirit-directed, and life-changing.
Following Jesus – we value wholehearted obedience to Christ Jesus through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
Belonging to the Community of Faith – we value integrity in relationships and mutual accountability in an atmosphere of grace, love, and acceptance.
Witnessing to the World – we value an active and loving witness for Christ to all people.
Serving Compassionately – we value serving others at their point of need, following the example of our Lord Jesus.
Pursuing Peace – we value all human life and promote forgiveness, understanding, reconciliation, and non-violent resolution of conflict.
Living Simply – we value uncluttered lives, which free us to love boldly, give generously, and serve joyfully.
Relying on God – we confess our dependence on God for everything, and seek to deepen our intimacy with Him by living prayerfully.
