Who we are. What we're all about. What we believe.
We’re not just a place to attend, but a family in which you belong. Being a part of a family can be a great encouragement and a challenge at other times. The First Red Oak family is no different. We’re made up of flawed individuals who are learning and growing too. But when we live out our values and encourage one another in them, we find community and are better together.
Our pastor, Jared Douglas, has been in some form of leadership at First Red Oak for over 20 years! He and his wife, Amy, have two daughters - Jayden and Allie. Jared is devoted not only to pastoring our church family, but is also devoted to investing in and pouring into our community - serving as chaplain for our Police and Fire Departments and school Athletics Department. As led out by our pastor, community focus and outreach are engrained in who we are at First Red Oak.
Worship and teaching are the foundation of who we are and what we do, but building on that foundation is vital. By putting God’s word into practice through our Discipleship Pathway, our goal is to help you grow in your relationship with God each and every week. We want you to Love God, Find Community, Discover Your Purpose, Make Disciples and Impact the World!
Our core values
Progress over Perfection. We will seek to create an environment in which people who walk through our doors know that it's ok not to be perfect.
Community over Isolation. We believe life-change happens best in the context of relationships. In clusters of caring people, participants share and encourage each other toward spiritual growth.
Grace over Judgment. Because Christ lives in us as a gift of grace, we will seek to reflect his grace in the ways we interact with each other.
Relationship over Religion. We will always put a priority on knowing Christ intimately, a heart relationship over head knowledge.
God’s Word over Worldly Wisdom. God's Word is our guide, authority and conscience in everything. We stand firm where it stands firm and remain flexible where it is flexible. We connect to God through praise & worship
Harmony over Homogeny. Our desire is that the Holy Spirit will bless us with a rich diversity of ages, life-stages, religious, racial, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. We desire to foster an atmosphere of unity that communicates warmth and acceptance of all that care to join us.
What we believe about Jesus, the Bible & the Church
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons or personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, I Peter 1:2, II Corinthians 13:14
The 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.
II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:20-21, II Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105,160 & 12:6, Proverbs 30:5
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. 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, I John 2:25 & 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15
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 Heaven’s glory and will return again someday 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, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, I Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13
Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. 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 2:8-9, John 14:6 & 1:12, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the 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. Christians are to seek to live under His daily control.
II Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13 & 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, I Corinthians 2:12 & 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:18
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.
Baptism & Lord's Supper
Both Baptism and the Lord’s Supper were instituted by Jesus Christ and serve as visible reminders of the work accomplished on our behalf by Him. Both are outer symbols of inner realities within the Christian.
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