We are independent of any denominational structure

We are not bound by any denominational creeds, written traditions, or regional/national organization.  It is our desire to be completely independent and autonomous in terms of our doctrine, practice, and church government.  We do have a group of men who are our spiritual guides and leaders. These men are called elders, bishops (overseers), or pastors (shepherds).  These men are all members of our congregation and have been chosen by us based upon the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.  They guide us as a church body and they are responsible to God for our spiritual lives.

We base our teaching solely upon the Bible

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God which tells us how to live and how to conduct our life as a Church (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  We also believe there is only one way to unify all the many different divisions among those seeking to honor Jesus Christ as Lord: do away with all creeds written or compiled by men, and turn back to the Bible as our only guide for church life, doctrine, and personal salvation.

We honor Jesus as Lord and Savior

We believe the purpose of every human being in our world is to honor Jesus as their Lord and Savior and to worship our Holy Father in Spirit and truth (Acts 2:36-39).  We strive to honor Him by assembling together to offer encouragement to our fellow Christians (Hebrews 10:25); and to share our financial blessings with those in need and to accomplish the work of God in our world (1 Corinthians 16:2).  Even more than wanting to honor him with just our words, we want to be fashioned and molded to be like Him (Romans 8:29).  Our hope and prayer is that each day finds us a little more like Him and that in all we say and do we will honor him who has so richly blessed us.

We believe in the mutual ministry of the church

For a church to belong to Jesus, it must care about people.  Christ’s ministry was fashioned by God's redemptive love to save the people of this world (John 3:16).  Jesus died on the cross to bring salvation to all kinds of people (1 John 2:2).  The Holy Spirit was promised as a gift to all who responded obediently to the call of God (Acts 2:38-39).  Christians are to do good deeds for all people, Christians and non-Christians (Galatians 6:10).  We try to practice these principles through the various ministries of the church and through our personal lives.

 We believe that our world at large needs a Savior too

 The church family at the Village has always been very actively involved in world missions.  We have several dedicated members that participate in World Bible School, a ministry responsible for thousands of baptisms a year.  We help support mission ministries in the United States, Mexico, and Africa providing support to local preachers, medical supplies, and nurturing.  The purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ has always been to reach the lost of every nation, language, and culture with the message of salvation (Matthew 28:18-20).  We want to do our part in this great task.

How do I become a part of this church? 

In a community like Hot Springs Village, where there are so many opportunities and so many needs, you certainly would have a place in our church family.  If you are already a Christian, all you need to do to be a part of the Village Church Family is to let us know of your desire to work with this congregation and to serve the Lord in this place.  By doing this, you also show your willingness to minister and to worship under the spiritual guidance of our Shepherds.  You can do this in one of the following ways: during one of our Church assemblies, come to the front during our invitation song and let us know of your desire to be a member at the Village church; speak to one of the Elders and let them know personally of your desire; or indicate on your visitors card that you want to be a member.  We would love to have you as a part of our Church family!

How does one really know if he or she is really a Christian? 

This is the most important question that anyone could ever ask!  Despite all the confusion in the religious world, God's teaching in the Bible is very clear.  The only thing that truly saves a person and allows that person to become a Christian is the saving death of Jesus Christ.  Salvation rests on God’s grace through the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 1:7-8).

The real question is, "How do I come in contact with the grace of God and receive this salvation?"  The New Testament tells us over and over again that we come into contact with the grace of God by faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-26).  True faith involves several specific actions.

It involves confessing aloud that Jesus is Lord and believing in our hearts that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10) Faith involves repentance, the changing of our heart and life to do the things of God (Acts 2:38; 3:19-20).  Faith finds its culmination in making contact with Jesus’ blood when we surrender our lives in baptism to the will of God for the forgiveness of our sins (Galatians 3:26-27; Acts 2:38; 16:29-34; 22:16). Faith also involves living with commitment toward God and with compassion toward those around us (Galatians 5:6; James 2:14-16).  While we submit to God's will in these actions, God is at work bringing us into his kingdom, his Church, forgiving and cleansing us of all our past sins, and placing his Holy Spirit in us (Colossians 1:13-14; Acts 2:38-41; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Titus 3:3-7; Romans 8:9-17, 26-27).  We become new people (2 Corinthians 5:17), born of God to begin a new spiritual life of service for him (John 1:10-13; 3:1-5).

We would love to have you be part of our Village Church Family.  If you are a Christian, please let us know you want to be a part of our Church family.  If you are not a Christian, then we would encourage you to become one today so you can share in our hope and joy found only in the Lord.  

If you have further questions about any of these matters, we would be happy to visit with you.  Let us know by telling one of us personally, or sending an email to vcoc@suddenlinkmail.com

If you have further questions, please feel free to call us, our ministers or any of our elders would be willing to visit with you at your convenience.  The number is 501-922-2827.  We are so glad you chose to spend time on our web site.  God bless you as you seek to honor him with your life!