WE, defined hereafter as Vessels of Mercy International, believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Vessels of Mercy as a part of the local and international Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to Vessels volunteers/employees and the community, it is imperative that they agree to and abide by this Statement of Faith and refer to the WHOLE document as what they are agreeing to (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22).

Statement of God’s Intrinsic Identity

WE believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God revealing the love of God to the World (1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 3:16).

WE believe in Jesus Christ, God’s son, who is Savior and Lord, and who gave Himself as a ransom for sinners through His death on the cross. He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, where, as truly God and truly man, Jesus is the only mediator between God and humankind (John 3:16-17; Matthew 20:19).

WE believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, the very Spirit of God, sent to bear witness of the Son. WE believe in the work of God’s spirit for the individual’s new birth and growth, and for the Church’s constant renewal in truth, wisdom, faith, holiness, love, power, and mission (Acts 1:5-8).

Statement of Redemption and Restoration

WE believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking his mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10).

WE believe that all men everywhere are lost and face the judgment of God, that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, and that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ results in regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, we believe that God will reward the righteous with eternal life in heaven, and that He will banish the unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell (Luke 24:46-47; John 14:6, Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Ephesians 1:7; and 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7).

WE believe in the resurrection of both saved and the lost; the saved unto the resurrection of eternal life and the lost unto the resurrection of damnation and eternal punishment. (1 Cor. 15:51-57; Revelation 20:11-15).

WE recognize some of the statements may cause pain and/or may be a part of your present/past. It is not our intention to cause pain in communicating our beliefs, as we have also come from a place that the enemy could use to cause pain. Our intent is to encourage you that when you surrender your life to Christ, there is nothing that cannot be redeemed by the blood of Jesus (1 Cor. 6:9-11) and in that redemption He brings beauty from ashes.

Statement of Evangelism

WE believe that the ministry of evangelism (sharing and proclaiming the message of salvation only possible by grace through faith in Jesus Christ) and discipleship (helping followers of Christ grow into maturity in Christ) is a responsibility of all followers of Jesus Christ. (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15; 1 Peter 3:15).

WE believe the Old and New Testament scriptures to be the only inspired, written Word of God, infallible and without error, our guide for living (Hebrews 4:12; John 1:14; Psalms 119:105).

WE believe that Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in power and glory to consummate His Salvation and His judgment. God will fully manifest His Kingdom when He establishes a new heaven and a new earth in which He glorified forever and ever (Matt. 24:42-44; 1 Thes. 4:16; Matt. 16:27).

WE believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ and that all true believers are members of His body, the Church. (Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 12:12-17).

WE believe that the ministry of evangelism is a responsibility of both the church and each follower of Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:9-15; Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Peter 3:15).

Statement on the Sanctity of Human Life

WE believe that all human life is sacred from conception to natural death as we are created by God in His image. (Gen. 1:27).

We believe every human life has intrinsic value and inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the disabled (physically or mentally), and every other stage or condition. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalms 139).

WE believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31).

Statement of Mankind’s Intrinsic Identity

WE believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as either male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image of and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejections of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

Statement of Belief on Marriage and Sexuality

WE believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25).

WE believe that God created marriage to be a picture of the Gospel and Christ’s love for His bride, the Church (Eph. 5:31-32).

WE believe God’s plan for human sexuality is to be expressed only within the context of marriage, that God created man and woman as unique biological persons made to complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. For this reason, we believe that marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19-5-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9).

Statement of Final Authority

Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Context

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Vessels of Mercy’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Executive Director/Board of Directors is/are the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s application.

Any concerns, questions, and/or issues that arise within the ministry that relate to our Statement of Faith will be referred to the Executive Director/Board of Directors for review and a specially assigned ministry committee for prayer, counsel, and resolution.

• I have read, understand, and agree with the statements listed above that Vessels of Mercy subscribes to as an organizational Statement of Faith. I also understand that it is my responsibility, if I am in a ministerial role (Board Member, Staff Member) to support, teach and go willingly live out this statement of faith.
• I have read, understand, however, I do not agree with the statements listed above that Vessels of Mercy subscribes to as an organizational Statement of Faith.

Note: If you do NOT agree but would still like the opportunity to discuss ways that you can volunteer with Vessels of Mercy, please ask to meet with the Executive Director.