What We Believe

We at Ekklesia Hattiesburg believe in being:

Simple
We will attempt to order our community around the essentials of being a follower of Christ.  While we embrace the pursuit of a deeper understanding of the finer points of theology, we will seek to be defined by nothing other than the things that were central to the life and teachings of Jesus.  We will seek to have this simplicity permeate our beliefs, organization, programming, finances, and facilities.

Loving
We believe that “God is Love” (1 John 4:8).  We believe that the “only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6).  We believe that all things are ordered under our call to Love our God and our Neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:36-38; Mark 12:29-31; Luke 10:26-28)  we will seek to make our words, actions, worship, and shared lives initiated by and bathed in love above all things.  If we have not love we have nothing (1 Cor. 13)

Missional
We believe we are all here chiefly to participate in the mission of God.  We accept the priesthood of all believers, and believe that all are called to ministry of this mission. We believe the mission gives birth to the church, and not the other way around.  We believe we are called to help bring about the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in Heaven.  We believe that Jesus embodied God's kingdom characterized by love, grace, peace, justice, personal salvation, and the restitution of all creation. We will attempt to only take part in things, which in some way bring these things to earth.

Incarnational
We believe in the incarnation.  This is to say that we believe that the God of the universe became flesh and blood and “moved into the neighborhood”.  We believe that we also should follow the model of the incarnation, which pro actively and humbly engages in community with those who need it.  We will not operate on a “come and see” basis, rather we will engage in  “going, showing, and telling”.  We will serve those we love, just as Christ has done for us.