We believe that everyone is on a spiritual journey. In our own way, everyone of us asks questions about life and what really matters like: What is the point of what I'm experiencing right now? If God exists, does he really care about what I'm going through? Can I know God, or is it really true that religion is just an opiate for the masses?
The Smashing Pumpkins have a great song called "1979" where they sing, "And weeeeeee don't know just where our bones will rest... to dust, I guess. Forgotten and absolved to the earth below."
There is a lot of hopelessness in the world, and a lot of selfishness and pain. All of us have experienced this in one way or another. There are lots of problems in the world. And in the midst of all of this, all people actively seek happiness.
People do this in all kinds of ways, and most people in the world wake up everyday trying to make their own way, hoping to find happiness while they are alive by: having us much sex and pleasure as they can, or to make as much money as they can, for buying the most toys that they can now, or getting wasted to forget their pain... Other people try to find meaning and purpose in dating relationships or even marriage, only to find that once the honeymoon phase is over that even relationships are work. And more than half of marriages end in divorce, unless you live in Hollywood where the richest people on earth divorce at a much higher rate.
Maybe you can relate? So, whether you see life as an exciting ride, a pointless exercise, or if you are just confused right now... we invite you to read on.
We believe that Jesus is God, and that everything He says is true. Jesus said that God's desire is to have a relationship with us. Not only does He want to have a relationship with us, but only by knowing Him do our lives really make sense. Living life without a relationship with God is like running an engine with no oil. We just weren't designed to live that way, and sooner or later we'd just burn out and shut down.
Maybe you already feel that way and you are just going through life wondering why you're here. You are not alone... and God wants you to know that without Him, you are spiritually shut down... and there are thousands of students all around who are feeling this way. Looking for lasting happiness in temporary things just doesn't work. We believe that all people were created to know God, the creator of all things. And only in knowing Him can we experience true JOY and fulfillment. But there is a problem.
We believe that all people are born with imperfection, and our default condition is that we are separated from God. This imperfection, what the bible calls SIN, has created a gap between us and God, and because of sin, we are spiritually dead. We believe that the problems of the world are caused by the sin of every person. We are all responsible.
And sin is a bigger deal than we can even imagine. No sin is too small to be OK, and no sin is too big for God that he can't completely accept you and forgive you if you just ask Him. Read one story of God's incredible forgiveness here in Luke 15:11-32.
"Yet in the gloom, a light glimmers and glows."
If you are thinking about all of this, and if you are experiencing doubt, loneliness, depression, or if you are tired of putting your hope in things that don't satisfy you, we have great news for you.
We believe that God has initiated with us, and made a way for us to know Him by interrupting whatever confusion, hopelessness or meaninglessness we experience through the powerful and wonderful life of his son Jesus. In order for us to live the life we were made for, we need to be in a relationship with God, and Jesus has made this possible for anyone who wants His kind of life. In John 10:10 Jesus says, "I have come that you might have life, and that you might have life to the fullest."
We believe that you can begin a relationship with God through Jesus right from where you are sitting. Here is how Life works according to the Bible: No matter how far you feel from God, he is always there waiting for you. He wants you to take a step towards him in your mind and in your heart. You say something like, "Hey God, I'm not sure how it all works, but Jesus I know I need you more than anything else. Please forgive me for all that I have done and come give me your life. Help me to start a relationship with you."
Jesus taught that when you put your trust in Him, that everything you have ever done wrong that makes you feel guilty is completely washed away forever in God's mind. He sees you as perfect, because Jesus is perfect. Not only is all that history of imperfection in your life gone in the eyes of God, but Jesus replaces it all with his perfection forever.
We believe that following Jesus isn't just a good idea; it is absolutely necessary if you want to spend eternity with God. He gives people a reason to get together and sing and stuff. Guilt is gone forever. Clarity and purpose become yours, and you did nothing to deserve it. It's free, but it will cost you everything that you really don't want anyway. You can trade your nothing for his everything.
We invite you to join us in His life. You can meet some people who are learning together what it means to follow Christ, or you can talk with one of our community leaders anytime.
