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Refreshing Hope Ministries began as a simple daily devotional from sent via email, with personal testimonies of God’s work in our lives. Our vision was, and still is, to help renew hope in the world by sharing the love of Jesus Christ. We believe that God’s people are being beaten down by poverty, cynicism and religion. In such a world, even a small light will shine in the darkness.
Over time, the email list grew and we started receiving a great deal of correspondence and prayer requests. We eventually developed a , which allowed volunteer prayer warriors to help lift up the needs of the ministry’s followers. We even started publishing books to focus on areas that will eventually be a toolbox for those in need.
Through email and the prayer network, we started getting to know the people who were following our ministry. We realized that many of these people had a lot to offer, skills and wisdom that could benefit others in the body of Christ. Unfortunately, there was no easy way at the time to connect them all. Through prayer and thought, we came upon the idea of an “online church”, a place where people could connect, pray, encourage and share their special God-given spark. We wanted to use the power of social media, but wanted it to be a safe and clean place for Christians to connect, which left out Facebook and Twitter. It took months of work and a good deal of expense, but we believe the Lord was with us and we eventually succeeded in launching this online church in February of 2015.
The response of the ministry’s members to this new stage has been a great blessing. People are connecting with each other in prayer, growing in wisdom and knowledge, and just enjoying each other’s fellowship. There have even been those who have stepped up in leadership to help moderate the website and run , which has been truly amazing. There is still much to do in the development of this church, but now there are many hands, hearts and minds to co-labor with us. With these people and God’s blessings, we have great hope for the future.
Thank you for being part of Refreshing Hope Ministries!
The Essentials of What We Believe
Our Beliefs
In essential beliefs – we have unity.“For there is one Body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 NLT
In non-essential beliefs – we have flexibility.“Accept him whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters... Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” Romans 14: 1, 12-33 NIV
In all our beliefs – we show love.“If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV
Statement of Faith
GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal 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; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13.
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. Believers can be both spirit-filled and spirit-led. We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of gifts.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLT
“Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-19 NLT
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians. 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18.
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.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalms 12:6, 119:105 & 160; Proverbs 30:5.
SALVATION
God created humans to have fellowship with Him, but they defied God by sinfully going their own way. As a result, we need God’s saving grace to end our alienation from Him. Salvation comes only through God’s grace - not human effort - and must be received personally by repentance and faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12, 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galations3 :26; Romans 5:1
SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29-30; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10 & 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5.
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.