About Us
Mission
To lead people to know, love and follow Jesus.
Vision
To be a church for those people who would not normally attend church.
Core Values
If you could unravel the things that make up the personality of First Hattiesburg, what would it contain? Start with a big heart for the lost. Add strong strands of faith, a vision for missions, and teaching with a fun twist. All within an environment where everyone feels like family. Discover a bit more about our core values.
We Value Family
Discipleship begins in the home. Therefore, we are committed to assisting families through strong age-level ministries that encourage spiritual growth at all stages of life.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:4-7
We Value Lost People
Lost people matter to God, therefore, they matter to us. We are committed to creating environments where the lost can experience life through a relationship with Jesus.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. Luke 19:10
We Value Cultural Relevance
We want to communicate to our culture in the most effective way possible. Therefore, we are committed to understanding and engaging our culture by employing creative methods that present Christ in a culturally relevant manner.
Men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command. 1 Chronicles 12:32
We Value Evangelism
The most effective evangelism is both relational and intentional. Therefore, we seek to invest in personal relationships with the unchurched, and to be intentional about inviting them to explore a personal relationship with Jesus and with the Church.
Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ Matthew 28:18-20
We Value Worship
God has made each of us to be worshipers. It is “hardwired” into our spiritual DNA. Therefore, we make it a priority to gather weekly to express our love and gratitude to God.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24
We Value Missions
Missions is at the center of God’s heart. Therefore, we encourage members to be involved in “hands on” mission projects, both locally and abroad.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
We Value Fellowship
God has built into each of us the need for community with other believers. Discipleship happens best in groups. Therefore, we expect every member to actively participate in a small group.
So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5
We Value Service
We are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Service is vital to discipleship. Therefore, we expect every member to discover his or her unique gifts and use those gifts in service.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
We Value Biblical Instruction
Biblical instruction is the catalyst for transformation in the lives of individuals and in the church. Therefore, we provide multiple venues for people to study God’s Word together.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
We Value Prayer
Prayer is what connects us to the heart of God and enables us to carry out the will of God. Therefore, we practice corporate prayer, and we promote personal prayer in the private lives of our members.
Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
What We Believe
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heavens glory and will return again some day to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 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 co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make us aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25
Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6;Proverbs 30:5
Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” your salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation through Christ. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8
