Welcome!

Whether you are new to following Jesus, need a refresher on the "basics," or are just curious about what it means to be a Christian, aka, a Christ follower, welcome to the "Start Here" page! Please stay, linger in His presence, and truly understand the hope that only Jesus Christ can offer.

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1. Faith in Jesus Christ

First and most important is faith in Jesus Christ. What must you do to be saved from your depravity and sin to spend eternity with God? The Bible says in Acts 16:31, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."

 

Is it really that simple? Yes it is! Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4) God wants us to come with complete trust and humility like a little child trusts his parent or teacher. 

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2. Prayer

Talk to God regularly and throughout the day. Aim for daily, even hourly prayer as you think of it. (This is the Holy Spirit prompting you.) You will discover to your great delight that your prayer will quickly go from an awkward am-I-doing-this-right-? feeling to a joyful expression of praise in your abundance, support in your sorrow, encouragement in your despair, a relief of expression in your anger, and a surge of trust in your pleas for help. King David said it best in Psalm 84:10, "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere." Truly, a single day spent basking in the splendor of God is better than an entire lifetime without Him.

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3. Bible Reading and Study​

A Christian, seasoned or new, cannot grow without daily feeding on the Word of God. His Word is "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105) We read the Bible to learn wise decisions for our life, learn about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, learn how to live each day glorifying God as we work and live. We read to increase our faith and knowledge of who God is. We read to understand the most stunning of Jesus's commandments: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." (Luke 6:27-28) We read to learn both how to participate in God's divine nature and how to abide in Jesus. We learn how to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. We learn how and why God created us and the whole world. We learn why there are wars and violence, abuse and oppression, and how Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will bring an end to all suffering one day.

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Does all this sound overwhelming? A person can live their entire life studying the Bible and still never come to an end of the depth of the wisdom and knowledge this one book contains. Psalm 119:72 says, "The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces" because truly it is!

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​4. Church Attendance and Fellowship

Regularly gathering with other believers to worship, learn, grow, and serve is crucial to a Christian's spiritual health. A close relationship with other believers for encouragement and accountability is also very important. Hebrews 10:24-25 explains, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another."

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Look for a church that teaches the Bible, where you feel welcomed, and you can grow. Other things you might look for is if the congregation is actively serving the community, has small groups or Bible studies available, and teaches the Bible to the children (if applicable). The church reaches across the globe, involving believers from every country and race and someday we will all glorify God together!

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Your first steps as a new Christian are to obey Jesus Christ out of love and not fear, obligation, or any kind of transactional reason. In John 14:15, Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." You will want to be baptized as a public statement of your faith. Share your faith with others: your family, friends, and coworkers. Lastly, use resources to start your walk with Jesus strong. Buy a Bible, use a devotional, write in a notebook your prayers, questions, and Bible study notes. 

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The Christian walk is not about perfection; it is about deeply and intimately knowing Jesus, our compassionate teacher and Savior. He loves you to the point of dying for you, and as only Jesus can express, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:13-14)

 

This is why we speak the name of Jesus every day!

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