our history
Our roots trace back to the Protestant Reformation. At that time, numerous reformers stressed the authority of Scripture and personal faith in Christ. In this light, some became convinced of their personal need not only for rededication of their lives to Christ, but also to their personal responsibility to be rebaptized as a believer. This conviction provoked sharp opposition from the established church of the state, resulting in the deaths of many who stood against the traditions of an all-too-political form of Christianity.
For more than 200 years, the "Brethren In Christ" have expressed a meaningful understanding of walking in relationship with Jesus. The Brethren In Christ are a blend of three renewal movements within the Christian faith.
"Anabaptists" stressed the importance not only of a personal responsibility toward one's baptism (believer's baptism), but also the importance of discipleship and obedience, the separation of church and state, the practice of non-resistance, and the necessity of community. Fleeing persecution from the established church, many Anabaptists fled to North America.
About one hundred years later, the Pietistic Revival movement stirred renewal among European Protestants. The "Pietists" stressed the importance of genuine conversion and warm personal experience swept through Europe and on to America.
At about the same time, John Wesley inspired a renewal movement in England. The Wesley brothers experienced the heart-felt faith of the Pietists that led to an awakening throughout England and, ultimately, to the "Wesleyan" movement in America. This movement has come to be known as the Holiness movement - emphasizing conversion as a conscious acceptance of God, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and daily growth in holiness.
What began in the 1750's in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has since been spreading throughout North America and, through an overwhelming receptivity of our missionaries, throughout the world.
Our Values and Beliefs >>whY WE'RE Here
We are here to connect people to life in Christ! We believe that this breaks down to connecting with God, each other, and the world.
We each have a life that we have been created to live. That life is first found in proper connection to God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our desire is to provide a God-honoring atmosphere for that relationship to develop through prayer, Biblical teaching and musical expression.
We have each been designed to live out our journey with God in connection with those around us. God has brought each and every one of us into community with one another and equipped us for a specific funtion within that community. It is our desire to see everyone discover their part and enable them to live it out.
There are always people around us who are within our sphere of influence. Many have become lost and confused in the darkness of this world. Our desire is to shine the light of the message of Jesus Christ into the confusion of this world's darkness through personal relationships and outreaching events.