WHO WE ARE.

At Elgin Methodist Church (EMC), our mission is simple — but life-changing: 

Love Loud • Live Truth • Serve Bold


We believe following Jesus was never meant to be quiet, passive, or hidden.
It’s 
bold, it’s visible, and it’s overflowing with love.



WHAT WE BELIEVE

  • About God

    We believe in one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4), revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). God the Father is the holy and merciful Creator (Genesis 1:1; Ephesians 4:6). Jesus Christ, the Son, is fully God and fully human, who lived, died, and rose again to bring us salvation (John 1:14; Philippians 2:5–11). The Holy Spirit dwells within believers, guiding and empowering us for holy living and mission (John 14:26; Acts 1:8). God is both holy and love (Isaiah 6:3; 1 John 4:8), inviting all people into a saving relationship through Jesus Christ.

  • About Jesus

    Jesus is the Christ - the promised Messiah and Deliverer, our Savior and the Savior of the world.  We believe that the unmatched depth of God's love is revealed within the life and ministry of Jesus' preaching, teaching, and healing, and in his suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He rose from the dead to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended into heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to consummate God's kingdom on earth. For now we believe the living Christ is with us through the Holy Spirit. Through faith in Christ we experience the joy of salvation. 


    (Matt. 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30, Heb. 4:14,15; 1 Cor. 15:3,4; Rom. 1:3,4; Acts 1: 9-11; 1 Tim. 6:14-15, Titus 2:13)

  • About the Holy Spirit

    We believe in the Holy Spirit as God present with us for guidance, comfort and strength. We affirm the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives as God's touch, God's personal activity in the church, among Christian friends, and with each of us individually. The Holy Spirit's work in our lives produces spiritual gifts and the "fruit of the Spirit" - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 


    (Gal. 5:22-23, 25; Rom. 8:26; 2 Cor. 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts. 1:8; 1 Cor. 2:12, 3:16; Eph. 1:13, 5:18)

  • About the Bible

    The Bible is God's word to us, our primary source of belief, and our primary authority for action. Human authors wrote the Bible as God inspired them.  We believe God is at work in us today in our thoughtful reading, meditation and interpretation of Scripture, individually and with others. We interpret the ancient witness in light of both its original meaning and its message for us today.           


    (2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Prov. 30:5)

  • The Covenant of Marriage

    We believe that marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, established by God and blessed by Christ (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6). Within this covenant, husbands and wives are called to love, honor, and serve one another in a way that reflects Christ’s love for the Church (Ephesians 5:21–33; 1 Peter 3:7). We uphold the family as a vital foundation for discipleship, community, and flourishing (Deuteronomy 6:5–7; Joshua 24:15).

  • About Humanity

    We believe every person is created in the image of God, uniquely formed with inherent worth, dignity, and purpose (Genesis 1:26–27; Psalm 139:13–16). Because all humanity is deeply loved by God (John 3:16), we are committed to treating every individual with compassion, grace, and respect as we speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

  • About Human Sexuality

    We affirm that God created humanity as male and female, reflecting His design and goodness (Genesis 1:27). We believe that our bodies, identities, and sexuality are sacred gifts entrusted to us by God and meant to be lived out in ways that honor Him (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Sexual intimacy is a good and holy gift, intended by God to be expressed within the covenant of marriage between a husband and wife(Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4).


    As a church, we commit to walking alongside every person with grace, truth, and pastoral care as we pursue God’s call to holiness in all areas of life (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5; Galatians 5:22–25).

  • Our Commitment to Grace and Truth

    We welcome all people to worship, grow, and seek Christ with us (Matthew 11:28–30). We commit to practicing humility, offering compassionate community and biblically grounded guidance as together we pursue God’s design for Scriptural Holiness (Micah 6:8; John 1:14).


WE WERE MADE FOR relationship with Jesus,


OUR MISSION

• To Love Loud means we love like Jesus — with compassion, courage, and conviction — in a world that desperately needs His grace.
• To 
Live Truth means we anchor our lives in God’s Word, standing firm even when culture drifts away from it.
• To 
Serve Bold means we move beyond comfort, stepping out in faith to be the hands and feet of Christ in our homes, neighborhoods, and beyond.


This isn’t just a mission statement — it’s a way of life.


Everything we do flows from a burning desire to know Jesus deeplyreflect His truth daily, and share His love freely with the world around us.


We are Christ-centeredpeople-focused, and Holy Spirit-led — a church committed to living out our faith in real, practical, world-changing ways.



OUR VISION

We envision a church where everyone is alive in Christgrowing in faithempowered by the Spirit, and transforming the world with the love of God.


As part of the Global Methodist Church, we join God in bringing new life, reconciliation, and the presence of Christ to all people, helping everyone reflect His character in everyday life.


to walk by the power of the Holy Spirit,



CHRIST-CENTERED • People-Focused • Holy Spirit-Led


to love God with all that we are.


WHAT WE VALUE

A CHURCH OF INTEGRITY


  • Christ-centered and Bible-rooted
     
  • Using our gifts to serve
     
  • Practicing what we believe
     
  • Honest, helpful, and united
     

A CHURCH OF SERVICE


  • Compassionate
     
  • Present
     
  • Generous
     
  • Ready to listen and help
     

A CHURCH OF FAITH


  • Trusting Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
     
  • Anchored in Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and promised return
     
  • Committed to the authority of Scripture and faithful living