Consider Jesus
For those skeptical or curious about Christianity and the claims of Jesus.
Mercy Hill aims to be a church open to those seeking, inquiring, and even skeptical of the Christian faith. We don't look down on your questions. We invite them. We want to be a safe place for you to discuss them. We've all probably asked them at one point ourselves. We may even be asking them right now!
The whole complex of the Christian faith rises or falls with the person and work of Jesus. If he is not who he said he is, if he has not done what the Scriptures say he did, then it all comes crumbling down and we Christians are most to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:19). Therefore, the place to begin one's investigation into Christianity is with an investigation of Jesus (the Christ) himself.
Mercy Hill aims to be a church open to those seeking, inquiring, and even skeptical of the Christian faith. We don't look down on your questions. We invite them. We want to be a safe place for you to discuss them. We've all probably asked them at one point ourselves. We may even be asking them right now!
The whole complex of the Christian faith rises or falls with the person and work of Jesus. If he is not who he said he is, if he has not done what the Scriptures say he did, then it all comes crumbling down and we Christians are most to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:19). Therefore, the place to begin one's investigation into Christianity is with an investigation of Jesus (the Christ) himself.
Be Baptized
For those ready to say yes to Jesus and "go public" with their faith.
Baptism is "going public" with your faith in Jesus. It's a declaration to the world that you are not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16)—even to you! It's being immersed into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). It's being brought into the very fellowship of the Trinity and family of God. It's a sign and seal of your participation in Christ. It's going down with him in his death and rising up with him in his resurrection life (Rom. 6:3-4). It's passing through the judgment waters of God by way of Jesus our Ark (1 Pet. 3:20-21). It's a picture of your new creation in him (2 Cor. 5:17). It's a big decision. And one certainly worth considering.
Baptism is "going public" with your faith in Jesus. It's a declaration to the world that you are not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16)—even to you! It's being immersed into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). It's being brought into the very fellowship of the Trinity and family of God. It's a sign and seal of your participation in Christ. It's going down with him in his death and rising up with him in his resurrection life (Rom. 6:3-4). It's passing through the judgment waters of God by way of Jesus our Ark (1 Pet. 3:20-21). It's a picture of your new creation in him (2 Cor. 5:17). It's a big decision. And one certainly worth considering.
Walk the Sacred Path
For those wanting to grow in their devotional lives (e.g. Bible reading, prayer).
You were created for God—to be known and loved by him and to know and love him in return. Engaging in this relationship ought to be the chief business (and delight!) of our lives. Today, as we likely well know, we can cultivate this relationship by reading our Bibles and praying. And yet, if we're honest, many of us simply don't do these things. For some, it may be because we're just lazy or uninterested. But for others, it could be that we genuinely want to but we get tripped up and don't know how. The Bible is a big book and it's not always easy reading. And prayer, while exhilarating at times, is often awkward and even dull. We need help. And that is why we've developed what we call the "Sacred Path." Our hope is that, as you travel along this path, it will lead you deeper into relationship with God through Christ!
You were created for God—to be known and loved by him and to know and love him in return. Engaging in this relationship ought to be the chief business (and delight!) of our lives. Today, as we likely well know, we can cultivate this relationship by reading our Bibles and praying. And yet, if we're honest, many of us simply don't do these things. For some, it may be because we're just lazy or uninterested. But for others, it could be that we genuinely want to but we get tripped up and don't know how. The Bible is a big book and it's not always easy reading. And prayer, while exhilarating at times, is often awkward and even dull. We need help. And that is why we've developed what we call the "Sacred Path." Our hope is that, as you travel along this path, it will lead you deeper into relationship with God through Christ!
Become a Member
For those interested in going all in with this local church and committing to "be the body" here and now together.
It's easy to keep the church at arms length. We come in and engage when it's convenient for us, but then pull away when it's not. But such a "marketplace mentality" towards the church misses God's heart and goal for us here entirely. He doesn't want us to be mere consumers. He wants us to be vitally connected members.
Covenant membership at Mercy Hill is a way of going all in with us as we commit to “be the body” here and now together. It’s a way of formalizing your commitment to this church—its members, leaders, mission, and ministries. It’s a promise we make to one another—that we will participate meaningfully in this local assembly as we pursue God’s presence, grow together as his people, and live for his purpose in the world.
It's easy to keep the church at arms length. We come in and engage when it's convenient for us, but then pull away when it's not. But such a "marketplace mentality" towards the church misses God's heart and goal for us here entirely. He doesn't want us to be mere consumers. He wants us to be vitally connected members.
Covenant membership at Mercy Hill is a way of going all in with us as we commit to “be the body” here and now together. It’s a way of formalizing your commitment to this church—its members, leaders, mission, and ministries. It’s a promise we make to one another—that we will participate meaningfully in this local assembly as we pursue God’s presence, grow together as his people, and live for his purpose in the world.
Check out the Next Steps Booklet:
Join a Home Group
For those wanting to move towards community and live on mission for Jesus with others in the church.
Drawing from Acts 20:20, we believe that if we are to see and show Christ rightly (i.e. with 20/20 vision), we must be meeting in both large gatherings and small groups. Here at Mercy Hill, the largest gathering we have is the Sunday Service and our standard small group is the Home Group.
Home Groups are the place where our values of Faith, Community, and Mission gain traction in the everyday. They are small, typically intergenerational, groups that meet regularly to break bread, seek God in his Word, share hearts and lives, and pursue avenues of service and witness in the surrounding neighborhood and city.
Drawing from Acts 20:20, we believe that if we are to see and show Christ rightly (i.e. with 20/20 vision), we must be meeting in both large gatherings and small groups. Here at Mercy Hill, the largest gathering we have is the Sunday Service and our standard small group is the Home Group.
Home Groups are the place where our values of Faith, Community, and Mission gain traction in the everyday. They are small, typically intergenerational, groups that meet regularly to break bread, seek God in his Word, share hearts and lives, and pursue avenues of service and witness in the surrounding neighborhood and city.
Check out the Next Steps Booklet:
Pursue Discipleship
For those interested in going deeper in their faith and growing more in the image of Christ.
According to Scripture, every Christian is called to be both a disciple and a disciple-maker (cf. Matt. 28:18-20). Disciples of Jesus are to be busy making disciples of Jesus. We are to be both following Christ and helping others follow him as well. At Mercy Hill, our aim is to develop and support what we call a “culture of discipleship.” We want it to be a normal thing here for people to be engaged meaningfully in each other’s lives, pursuing Christ together, and inviting unbelievers to join in on the journey. One of the ways we are attempting to promote this is through DNA Groups. DNA Groups are smaller groups of committed people who meet on a consistent basis to Discover, Nurture, and Apply Christ together until he is all in all.
According to Scripture, every Christian is called to be both a disciple and a disciple-maker (cf. Matt. 28:18-20). Disciples of Jesus are to be busy making disciples of Jesus. We are to be both following Christ and helping others follow him as well. At Mercy Hill, our aim is to develop and support what we call a “culture of discipleship.” We want it to be a normal thing here for people to be engaged meaningfully in each other’s lives, pursuing Christ together, and inviting unbelievers to join in on the journey. One of the ways we are attempting to promote this is through DNA Groups. DNA Groups are smaller groups of committed people who meet on a consistent basis to Discover, Nurture, and Apply Christ together until he is all in all.
Use Your Gifts
For those interested in identifying the gifts God has given them and using those gifts to serve in the church.
When God saves you and brings you into community in the church, he has something for you to do. He has a ministry, a purpose for your being here. Every Christian has at least one gift given them in and by the Spirit. And God wants you to use, to steward, to leverage that gift for his glory and the good of others.
But where do you even begin in all this? It’s one thing to know that every Christian has a spiritual gift. It’s another thing to know what your gift actually is. We want to help you discern what your gift(s) might be and how you can best use it for the building up of Christ's body and the advancement of his kingdom in this world!
When God saves you and brings you into community in the church, he has something for you to do. He has a ministry, a purpose for your being here. Every Christian has at least one gift given them in and by the Spirit. And God wants you to use, to steward, to leverage that gift for his glory and the good of others.
But where do you even begin in all this? It’s one thing to know that every Christian has a spiritual gift. It’s another thing to know what your gift actually is. We want to help you discern what your gift(s) might be and how you can best use it for the building up of Christ's body and the advancement of his kingdom in this world!
Spread the News
For those interested in evangelistic training and opportunities.
At Mercy Hill, we believe that every saint is sent—that every Christian is a missionary of God. The found find. The caught catch. The harvested harvest. The sought seek. The discipled disciple. Whether God is calling you to cross oceans to reach the nations or to cross the street to reach your neighbors, you are his missionary. Every saint is sent!
But what is he sending you with? In short, the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ. If you are to see people saved by Jesus you must speak to them about him. You can't reach if you won't preach. You won't open their hearts to him if you won't open your mouth for them. It can be scary, we know. But it's a risk so worth taking. Let's grow and go together!
At Mercy Hill, we believe that every saint is sent—that every Christian is a missionary of God. The found find. The caught catch. The harvested harvest. The sought seek. The discipled disciple. Whether God is calling you to cross oceans to reach the nations or to cross the street to reach your neighbors, you are his missionary. Every saint is sent!
But what is he sending you with? In short, the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ. If you are to see people saved by Jesus you must speak to them about him. You can't reach if you won't preach. You won't open their hearts to him if you won't open your mouth for them. It can be scary, we know. But it's a risk so worth taking. Let's grow and go together!
Serve the City
For those interested in getting their hands and feet dirty in love for others in our city and world.
Some churches pull away from the city to keep themselves safe and "unstained" by it. Other churches over-accommodate the city, taking on the worldview and values of the unbelieving people around them. But we want to be a church "for the city"—a church that is in the world and yet not of it (cf. John 17:15-16), a church that leans in towards the unbelieving around them without losing their distinctive identity and purpose as the people of God.
Critical to the ministry of gospel word is the ministry of gospel deed. There is to be both declaration concerning the kingdom and demonstration of it. There is to be both an explanation of the good news and an evidencing of its saving and restorative power. We not only teach of God’s grace, we touch people with it. We not only share with them about God's love, we look for ways to show it to them as well.
Some churches pull away from the city to keep themselves safe and "unstained" by it. Other churches over-accommodate the city, taking on the worldview and values of the unbelieving people around them. But we want to be a church "for the city"—a church that is in the world and yet not of it (cf. John 17:15-16), a church that leans in towards the unbelieving around them without losing their distinctive identity and purpose as the people of God.
Critical to the ministry of gospel word is the ministry of gospel deed. There is to be both declaration concerning the kingdom and demonstration of it. There is to be both an explanation of the good news and an evidencing of its saving and restorative power. We not only teach of God’s grace, we touch people with it. We not only share with them about God's love, we look for ways to show it to them as well.