What We Believe

As a congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Woodlake Presbyterian Church's theology is based on the Bible, and guided by the Westminster Confession of Faith. The EPC summarizes the heart of their belief in the Essentials of the Faith.

All Scripture is self-attesting and being Truth, requires our unreserved submission in all areas of life. The infallible Word of God, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is a complete and unified witness to God's redemptive acts culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks. On this sure foundation we affirm these Essentials:

We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To Him be all honor, glory and praise forever!
Jesus Christ, the living Word, became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. He who is true God became true man united in one Person forever. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. On the third day He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Mediator.
The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to our hearts. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior. Indwelling our hearts, He gives new life to us, empowers and imparts gifts to us for service. He instructs and guides us into all truth, and seals us for the day of redemption.
Being estranged from God and condemned by our sinfulness, our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God's free grace. God credits His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, thereby justifies them in His sight. Only such as are born of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ become children of God and heirs of eternal life.
The true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible, yet imperfect, expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the sacraments are administered in their integrity; where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained. For her perfecting, she awaits the return of her Lord.
Jesus Christ will come again to the earth—personally, visibly, and bodily—to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
The Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations. Obedience to the Great Commission requires total commitment to "Him who loved us and gave Himself for us." He calls us to a life of self-denying love and service. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

Woodlake Presbyterian Church exists to fulfill a mission and to pursue a vision which we believe that God has put upon the hearts of the congregation and the leaders of the church.

Mission: Woodlake Presbyterian Church will love our neighbors, equip disciples, and worship for the Glory of God.

Vision: Woodlake Presbyterian Church will love our neighbors. We are committed as a congregation to identifying opportunities for reaching out with the love and gospel of Christ, investing our time, energy, care, money, and effort into that work. We are committed as individuals and families to lives of service. We are committed to personal evangelism to those God brings into our lives.

Woodlake Presbyterian Church will equip disciples. We are committed to the education of God’s people, encouraging one another to service and dedication toward God, demonstrating Christ’s love by serving others, and sending Christians out into the world to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are committed to raising up God-gifted servant leaders in our congregation, supporting and encouraging each other to grow in faith.

Woodlake Presbyterian Church will worship for the glory of God. Our worship is founded upon God’s revelation in the Bible. The sermons, prayers, songs, and every part of our worship services are based on God’s Word and dedicated to God’s promises, plans, and perfection. Our worship as a church extends to every moment of our lives as we selflessly love God and others.

We know that we are not perfect, as a church or as individuals, and we will continue to stumble and fall until the Lord calls us home. But while we are here, we will endeavor to seek his will and glorify him.

In pursuing this vision, Woodlake Presbyterian Church has identified six Core Values.

1.   Bible Centered – Woodlake Presbyterian is committed to the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. Every message or lesson comes from the authoritative Word of God.
2.   Welcome and Love – Woodlake Presbyterian is committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and loving environment for members and visitors alike, young and old, of every ethnicity and social status.
3.   Discipleship – Woodlake Presbyterian is committed to raising up and training mature and committed Christians to serve others.
4.   Children and Youth Ministry – We are committed to helping raise the next generation of Christian servants. Kids and teens are not only the future of Woodlake Presbyterian, they are its present.
5.   Culture of Service – Woodlake Presbyterian is committed to fostering the church family’s desire to serve each other and the community, using their gifts to do so in a way that brings joy.
6.   Evangelical – In all things, Woodlake Presbyterian seeks to preach Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. We are a Reformed Presbyterian Church; the message of Jesus being taken to the world is our number one priority.