OUR TWO RIVER BANKS
As a church, we have set two main objectives—what we call our ‘Riverbanks’.
Just as riverbanks guide the flow of water toward its destination—preventing it from becoming stagnant or turning into a swamp—these objectives keep us moving with purpose toward Jesus and His Kingdom.
To Know JESUS
Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV)
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
This shapes how we relate to one another and everything we do as a church—from our Sunday gatherings and prayer meetings to Citadel Kids and leadership training. Our desire is to know Jesus more deeply and to grow in Him continually!
To Make JESUS Known
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Making Christ known is at the heart of everything we do—within our community and beyond. It shapes how we relate to one another, our families, our neighborhood, city, region, and even the nations.
Our mission is about multiplication, reaching across Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Queens, and the world. Our strategy is about going, not just attracting. We want to be a thriving local church that actively engages our community for Christ—staying mobile, flexible, and relational in all we do.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
Because we come from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, you may have questions about what we believe. We encourage open conversation—so feel free to discuss any of the following with one of our elders for further clarity. Ask away!
Our doctrine is established explicitly and exclusively on the Bible. While we hold certain doctrines as essential, we also recognize many non-essential doctrines where we have a biblical perspective. These non-essential doctrines matter, but they are not crucial to a believer’s walk with God. Therefore, we ensure that essential doctrines remain our priority.
Around 500 years ago, during the 16th century, Jesus brought much-needed correction to the church through the Reformation. The church had drifted from truth, and this movement was His way of realigning it.
Out of the Reformation emerged five key areas of emphasis—expressed in five Latin phrases—that continue to shape our foundational statement of faith today.
SOLA SCRIPTURA
The Bible alone is the sole authority for all matters of faith and practice. Scripture and Scripture alone is the standard by which all teachings and traditions of the church must be measured.
SOLA GRATIA
Through grace alone are we saved. Salvation is proof of God’s undeserved favor; we are rescued from God’s wrath by His grace alone, not by any work we do. God loves us just the way we are, not as we should be!
SOLA FIDE
By faith alone do we receive God’s salvation and all of God’s promises. We have faith in Jesus, believing that He is God’s son, who died for our sins. We are declared righteous by God (justified) on the basis of our faith alone and not by works.
SOLA CHRISTUS
Jesus is the Lord and Savior of the church. No one and nothing else can save. Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross is sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to God the Father.
SOLA DEO GLORIA
To God alone is praise and glory due. Salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God for His glory alone. As Christians, we must magnify Him always and live our lives in His presence, under His authority, and for His glory.
What we Believe
We invite you to explore our beliefs and join us in our pursuit of living out our faith in boldness and passion.
The Trinity
There is one God, the Creator of all things, who is eternally self-existent—one God in three persons. Though this doctrine is a mystery, it is undeniably true. We believe in God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity has distinct functions, yet all share the same divine attributes and are equal in power and authority.
God the Father
God the Father is holy and perfect—all-powerful, always good, and forever faithful. He continually reaches out to us with the good news of His grace through His Son, Jesus Christ, offering redemption and eternal relationship. As the perfect Father, His love, compassion, and grace never change. His heart longs for humanity to be restored to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.
God the Son (JESUS CHRIST)
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is fully God and fully man—the only one who can reconcile us to God the Father. He lived a perfect, sinless life and was crucified on the cross, paying the price for our sins and shame—the very things that separated us from God. He died, was buried, and rose again so that we might have eternal life.
Jesus is the Head of the Church, holding preeminence in all things. He is now seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling and reigning as the King of kings and Lord of lords. One day, He will return to make all things new. Through Him, the way to eternal life with God has been opened.
God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit—God Himself—dwells in every Christian from the moment they place their faith in Jesus. He leads us into all truth, reveals God’s righteousness, and convicts us of sin. He assures us of our salvation, comforts us, guides us, and sanctifies us.
From the very beginning, the church was birthed through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and His power. His presence is revealed in many ways, including signs, miracles, and wonders. His power is just as essential today as it was at the church’s beginning. We also believe that the Holy Spirit equips and empowers believers by distributing gifts to continue the work of Jesus in the world—advancing what Scripture calls The Kingdom.
Baptism
We believe that every Christian, after placing their faith in Jesus, should be baptized in water by full immersion. Baptism is a powerful declaration—to themselves, their community, and even Satan—that they are now in Christ and no longer in sin.
We also believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers to live boldly for Christ. Just as the early church experienced at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fills and equips Christians with His presence, gifts, and power to continue the work of Jesus in the world.
Relationships Matter to US
Relationships take priority over performance, skill, or gifting. From the very beginning, God designed His Church to be built on genuine fellowship, not just individual abilities or accomplishments (Acts 2:42 | John 15:13). We believe that strong, Christ-centered relationships create a healthy and thriving church, where people are known, loved, and encouraged to grow in their faith together.
Participating not Spectating
In line with our belief that relationships matter, no believer in Jesus is meant to live in isolation. Christianity is not a solo journey but a shared life within the local church. Every Christian is called to be an active participant, not just a spectator—engaging in fellowship, serving, and using their God-given gifts to build up the body of Christ. The church isn’t just a place to attend; it’s a family to belong to and a mission to be part of. We believe that each person has a role to play, and when we step into the ministry God has given us, the whole church flourishes.
Truth Before Tradition
What we see in Scripture always takes precedence over tradition and culture. Our theology shapes our behavior—not the other way around. While traditions and cultural perspectives can have value, they must always be examined in light of God’s Word. We seek to handle Scripture rightly, allowing it to guide our lives, convictions, and the way we live out our faith (2 Timothy 2:15).
Elder-led
God has established that local elders should lead the local church—not a headquarters, an archbishop, the state, or any other external authority. The leadership of a church is meant to be local, guided by those whom God has appointed within the community.
While we value relationships with other churches, organizations, and denominations, these connections do not override this biblical principle. We are not part of a denomination but remain committed to the biblical model of local church leadership.
Our Call To The Nations
We believe God has called us not only to serve our local community in Forest Hills but also to be a base for reaching Queens, New York City, our nation, and the nations of the world—just as we see modeled in the New Testament (e.g., the church in Ephesus, Acts 19:1-27, and the church in Antioch, Acts 11-14).
To fulfill this mission, we primarily partner with the translocal team of New Covenant Ministries International (NCMI).
Additionally, we are excited to be part of what God is doing here in Queens through Queens Connexus and across NYC through The Metro - MNYBA.
Whether next door or across the globe, we are committed to going and making disciples wherever the Lord leads!