Welcome Center

What is your next faith step?

Prayer Requests

We would love to pray for you!

Fill out the form at the following link, and our team will pray over every request. You are never alone!

Congratulations on committing your life to Jesus!

This is the best decision you will ever make! We want to encourage you in your next steps. You’ve started your journey and sometimes it is hard to know what to do next. 

  • First, we want to encourage you to grab a Fresh Start kit from the Welcome Center in our main lobby. It has a bible and a Fresh Start book to help with how to connect with God on a daily basis. 
  • Second, we encourage you to go to the Prayer Cove and invite someone on your journey with you. Our enemy, the devil, wants to isolate you, try to distract you and make you think your decision doesn’t matter. Your decision matters! Having people to pray with, talk to, ask questions of, and just be there with you is so important  as you grow in your relationship with Jesus.
  • Do you need extra encouragement during the week? Do you have more questions? Do you need help or guidance? Our Wednesday Night Prayer is the place to go. It’s every Wednesday at 7pm.
  • You are not alone! We want to be here for you as you discover all that God has for your life and future. God loves you! We love you! 

"The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.'"

Serve God's house by making an IMPACT!

We believe we are all CALLED TO SERVE within our local church community. Here at PLC we have many areas to serve in. The first step to serving is to go through our Growth Track process.

What is Growth Track?  We call this 1+1=YOU! One hour at home with videos and one hour in person. The videos consist of sharing our story, history of Passionate Life Church, our Biblical principles, our mission, and vision of the church, etc.

Sign up at the Welcome Center in the Lobby for the next Growth Track. 

Click the Link to join one of our many IMPACT teams! We look forward to serving with you! 

Why should we get baptized?

What is the significance of baptism?

Have you ever thought about getting baptized but have too many questions still unanswered?

In this article we would love to help you understand a little bit more about this significant next step in your journey of following Jesus.

Why should I consider getting baptized?                

Following Christ:
In order to understand the reason for being water baptized, it is important to carefully consider what the Bible says about it: Jesus himself was baptized. He was not a sinner, yet He humbled Himself in obedience to identify with us and give us an example to follow.

At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment He came out of the water, He saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” Mark 1:9 NLT

An act of obedience:
Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

A public declaration:
Baptism declares that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. It is the next step after salvation through repentance and faith and is an important foundation for Christian life.

Then He said, “And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16 NLT

What is the meaning and significance of baptism?

A move from death to life:
Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb and His resurrection from the dead. “For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with Him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:12-14 NLT

A brand-new life:
It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. We bury the “old life”, and we rise to walk in a “new life”. Baptism is like a wedding ring, it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart, a commitment that has to be followed through and lived out on a daily basis.

Here is one simple way to explain baptism:

Baptism is a symbol. It’s meant to show the world that that you love, trust and have put your hope in Christ. It’s like a wedding ring. Let’s say I’m not married right now, but if I put a wedding ring on my finger, would that make me married? No, of course not. Similarly, I can be baptized in a church, but that doesn’t make me a true follower of Christ. Imagine that I really was married, though. My spouse and I really did go through the marriage ceremony, but I just didn’t have my ring on my finger. Would that mean I wasn’t married? No way, of course I would still be married. Similarly, I can be a follower of Christ, but not baptized, and my sins are still paid for and forgiven by God. But imagine that I truly was married, and I really, really loved my spouse. Would I wear my wedding ring? Of course! I would love my spouse and want the whole world to know it! In the same way, if I have trusted Christ to save me from sin, and He is the Lord and joy of my life, then I’ll want everyone to know about it. Baptism is a statement to everyone who sees it that I have trusted Christ for my salvation, and I’m committed to living for Him.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” Romans 6:4 NLT

Baptism does not make you a follower of Christ; it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not “save” you; only your faith in Christ does that.

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

A blessed life:
In baptism, the follower of Christ has the triune name of the triune God placed upon them: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the name of the Godhead (one God in three persons). The Gospels tell us to baptize believers, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 NLT

Baptism confirms our position “in Christ” and affirms the blessings of the Father on us as His children.

A new family:
Baptism also connects us to the “body of Christ” – His people in the earth. In baptism there is a real sense of being joined with other believers, not just participating in an individual act of our own spiritual journey.

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NLT

 

How are we to be baptized?

As per the example of Jesus – by being immersed in water. The word “baptize” comes from the Greek word “baptize” which means “to immerse or dip under water”.

“After His baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on Him.” Matthew 3:16 NLT

Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. The book of Acts shows us that this was the norm for every believer.

“Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” (Acts 8:38-39)

Who should be baptized?

Every person who has made the decision to follow Jesus Christ and make Him their Lord and Savior. When Paul writes to the believers in Rome, he assumes that all of them have been baptized (Romans 6). The one requirement for baptism is salvation in Christ!

“Those who accepted His message were baptized.” (Acts 2:41)

“But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.” Acts 8:12 NLT

We believe in baptizing children when they are old enough to understand what it means and make a personal declaration of faith.

When are we to be baptized?

Jesus followers in the New Testament were baptized the same day. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he or she can be, and is encouraged to be baptized.

“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” Acts 2:41 NLT
 

Beliefs

The Bible

The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives. 

Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39;16:13-15; 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16

The Trinity

 God has existed in a relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority. 

Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23;14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:19

Father

 God is great: He is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. It is in Him that we live, move, and exist. God is good: He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises. 

Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4

Son

 Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we could have life.

 Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke 22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4;3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16

The Holy Spirit

His presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ. 

Genesis 1:2; Psalms 51:11; 139:7 ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Lk 1:35;4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17

Eternity

Man was created to exist forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. 

John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15

People

We are made in the image of God and are the supreme object of His creation. We were created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, we cannot attain a right relationship with God through our own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love. 

Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31;15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11

Salvation

 The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts. 

Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20

Church

 The Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ. 

Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4;
Revelation 21:2-3