OUR CULTURE STATEMENTS
WE LIVE BY THE CROSS AND CROWN OF JESUS
There are no disciples, churches, or movements outside of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We live rooted in Jesus: crucified for our sin, raised to reign, and coming again. The gospel is both simple and profound, forming our identity and fueling our mission. We never outgrow grace; we grow deeper into it.
WE JOYFULLY OPEN OUR LIVES TO ONE ANOTHER
We’re not just a crowd; we’re a spiritual family. We believe discipleship happens best in honest, grace-filled communities where people are known, stories are shared, and transformation is walked out together. From living rooms to coffee shops to street corners, we carry each other’s burdens and celebrate each other’s joys.
WE PRAY FIRST
Whether it’s a meal, a crisis, or a business meeting, we communicate with the One who holds us in His hands first. We ask boldly because we believe that he listens and responds. Prayer matters, it’s powerful, and we’ll never stop.
WE ARE ROOTED IN SCRIPTURE, GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
We are people of the Word and people of the Presence. Scripture is our foundation; the Spirit is our guide. We study deeply, interpret wisely, and obey humbly: trusting God to speak clearly through both His written Word and His active voice. We walk in truth, empowered by grace.
WE EQUIP EVERYDAY PEOPLE
Church is not a spectator sport: it’s a team on mission. We train people to discover their gifts, deepen their faith, and step into leadership in everyday life. We grow out at the same time we grow up. We don’t just plant services; we plant people in places where they can multiply.
WE ARE DISCIPLES WHO LIVE ON MISSION
Every believer is a disciple, and every disciple is a missionary. Jesus didn’t call us to play it safe. He sent us out: to our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our families, and to the nations. We believe the gospel is good news for all of life, and we show and tell it wherever we go. Our lives are the mission field. Our homes are outposts of the Kingdom.
WE REFLECT HEAVEN ON EARTH
We are a beautifully diverse, Spirit-filled people: young and old, rich and poor, Black, Brown, and White united by the grace of Jesus. We don’t all look the same or vote the same, but we belong to one another. In a divided world, we’re building a family that looks like heaven.
OUR BELIEFS
We stand with followers of Jesus who have come before us and with those who follow him faithfully around the world today. We hold to the gospel found in Scripture and to the historic faith confessed by the Church throughout the centuries.
At the center of everything we believe is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
At the center of everything we believe is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel: The Cross and Crown of Jesus
The word gospel means good news.
At Downtown Hope, we often summarize that good news with two words: Cross + Crown.
The cross means Jesus died for our sins.
The crown means Jesus rose from the dead, reigns as King today, and will return to make all things new.
Jesus lived the life we could never live, died the death we deserved, conquered death through his resurrection, and now reigns as Lord over heaven and earth.
This gospel is not merely about how individuals get saved. It is the announcement that Jesus is Lord and that through him God is restoring all things.
Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1–8, Colossians 1:15–20, Philippians 2:5–11, Romans 5:6–11
At Downtown Hope, we often summarize that good news with two words: Cross + Crown.
The cross means Jesus died for our sins.
The crown means Jesus rose from the dead, reigns as King today, and will return to make all things new.
Jesus lived the life we could never live, died the death we deserved, conquered death through his resurrection, and now reigns as Lord over heaven and earth.
This gospel is not merely about how individuals get saved. It is the announcement that Jesus is Lord and that through him God is restoring all things.
Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1–8, Colossians 1:15–20, Philippians 2:5–11, Romans 5:6–11
The Story We Live In
The Bible tells one unified story that leads to Jesus.
Creation: A good God made us in His image
God created the world good and made humanity in his image to reflect his character and steward his creation.
Genesis 1:26–31, Psalm 8, Colossians 1:16
Fall: We turned away
Humanity rebelled against God's rule, bringing sin, death, injustice, and brokenness into the world.
Every part of creation now bears the effects of that rebellion.
Genesis 3, Romans 3:23, Romans 8:20–22
Redemption: Jesus paid the price to rescue us
God did not abandon his world.
Through Israel, and ultimately through Jesus, God launched his rescue plan. Through Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension, sin and death have been defeated and reconciliation has been made possible.
John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:1–10, Colossians 1:13–20
Renewal: We are new creations
Jesus is making all things new.
Through the Holy Spirit, God's future kingdom has already begun breaking into the present. One day Jesus will return, evil will be defeated, the dead will be raised, and creation itself will be renewed.
Romans 8:18–25, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Revelation 21:1–5
This is the story of the world.
And this is the story we are invited into.
Creation: A good God made us in His image
God created the world good and made humanity in his image to reflect his character and steward his creation.
Genesis 1:26–31, Psalm 8, Colossians 1:16
Fall: We turned away
Humanity rebelled against God's rule, bringing sin, death, injustice, and brokenness into the world.
Every part of creation now bears the effects of that rebellion.
Genesis 3, Romans 3:23, Romans 8:20–22
Redemption: Jesus paid the price to rescue us
God did not abandon his world.
Through Israel, and ultimately through Jesus, God launched his rescue plan. Through Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension, sin and death have been defeated and reconciliation has been made possible.
John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:1–10, Colossians 1:13–20
Renewal: We are new creations
Jesus is making all things new.
Through the Holy Spirit, God's future kingdom has already begun breaking into the present. One day Jesus will return, evil will be defeated, the dead will be raised, and creation itself will be renewed.
Romans 8:18–25, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Revelation 21:1–5
This is the story of the world.
And this is the story we are invited into.
The Story We Live In
The gospel calls every person to repent and believe.
Repentance means turning away from every rival king and false source of life.
Faith means trusting Jesus as Savior, Lord, and King.
Following Jesus is not merely a one-time decision but a lifelong journey of discipleship, transformation, and participation in God's mission.
Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38, Romans 10:9–13
Repentance means turning away from every rival king and false source of life.
Faith means trusting Jesus as Savior, Lord, and King.
Following Jesus is not merely a one-time decision but a lifelong journey of discipleship, transformation, and participation in God's mission.
Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38, Romans 10:9–13
Our Theological Framework
Not every doctrine carries the same weight.
Throughout church history, Christians have distinguished between core beliefs that define the faith, church convictions that shape local church life, and areas where faithful believers may disagree.
Throughout church history, Christians have distinguished between core beliefs that define the faith, church convictions that shape local church life, and areas where faithful believers may disagree.
CORE BELIEFS
These beliefs define historic Christianity.
+ One God eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
+ Jesus Christ fully God and fully man
+ The death, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus
+ Salvation by grace through faith
+ The authority of Scripture
+ The future return of Christ and the renewal of all things
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:19, John 1:1–18, 1 Corinthians 15:1–8, Ephesians 2:8–10, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Revelation 21:1–5
+ One God eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
+ Jesus Christ fully God and fully man
+ The death, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus
+ Salvation by grace through faith
+ The authority of Scripture
+ The future return of Christ and the renewal of all things
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:19, John 1:1–18, 1 Corinthians 15:1–8, Ephesians 2:8–10, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Revelation 21:1–5
WHAT WE BELIEVE
SCRIPTURE
The Bible is God's inspired Word and the authoritative story through which God reveals himself and his purposes. Scripture leads us to Jesus, forms us into his people, and guides our faith and practice.
2 Timothy 3:16–17, Psalm 19:7–11, Luke 24:27
2 Timothy 3:16–17, Psalm 19:7–11, Luke 24:27
GOD
There is one God who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is holy, loving, just, merciful, faithful, and worthy of all worship.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14
Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became human without ceasing to be God. He lived without sin, died for our sins, rose bodily from the grave, ascended to the Father, and now reigns as Lord over all creation.
John 1:1–18, Colossians 1:15–20, Philippians 2:5–11
John 1:1–18, Colossians 1:15–20, Philippians 2:5–11
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit dwells within believers, empowers holy living, equips God's people for ministry, and enables the Church to bear witness to Jesus and his kingdom.
John 14:16–17, Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22–25
John 14:16–17, Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22–25
HUMANITY
Every person is created in God's image and possesses inherent dignity and worth. Though humanity is fallen and in need of redemption, God's love extends to every person.
Genesis 1:26–27, Romans 3:23, John 3:16
Genesis 1:26–27, Romans 3:23, John 3:16
SALVATION
Salvation is God's gift of grace received through faith in Jesus Christ. Through him we are forgiven, reconciled to God, adopted into his family, and transformed into his likeness.
Ephesians 2:8–10, Romans 5:1–11, Titus 3:4–7
Ephesians 2:8–10, Romans 5:1–11, Titus 3:4–7
THE CHURCH
The Church is the family of God, the body of Christ, and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. We gather for worship, discipleship, fellowship, mission, and the work of bearing witness to God's kingdom in the world.
Acts 2:42–47, Ephesians 2:19–22, 1 Peter 2:9–10
Acts 2:42–47, Ephesians 2:19–22, 1 Peter 2:9–10
BAPTISM + THE LORD'S SUPPER
Jesus gave the Church baptism and the Lord's Supper as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism identifies believers with Christ's death and resurrection. Communion remembers Christ's sacrifice, celebrates his presence among us, and anticipates the feast of his coming kingdom.
Matthew 28:18–20, Romans 6:1–4, 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Matthew 28:18–20, Romans 6:1–4, 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
THE RETURN OF CHRIST
Jesus Christ will return to judge evil, raise the dead, and make all things new. Our hope is not escape from creation but the renewal of creation as heaven and earth are united under the reign of King Jesus.
Acts 1:11, Romans 8:18–25, 1 Corinthians 15:20–28, Revelation 21:1–5
Acts 1:11, Romans 8:18–25, 1 Corinthians 15:20–28, Revelation 21:1–5