Living Light Christian Church is made up of people with varied backgrounds and experiences who are joined together by the saving work of Jesus Christ. We are passionate worshipers of our great God, who care for one another in a loving community, and live with a common vision for God’s Kingdom and his Church.
Our focus is on an ever-deepening relationship with God, the restoration of the Church and the proclamation of the good news of the Kingdom of God expressed to the whole world. Our mission is three-fold: Worshiping God (Ephesians 3:21), Discipling Believers (Ephesians 4:12-13), and Bringing Good News to the World (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
Worshiping
God
Recognizing that we were created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), and therefore to show forth His glory in the earth, we’re committed to living lives that demonstrate and declare the wonder of who He is (1 Peter 2:9). The Christian life is to be characterized by constant thanksgiving, praise and worship to God, and that should be no hardship for those who truly realize what He’s done for them and know the reality of a relationship with Him (Matthew 12:34).
We also recognize that worship is much more than a response in song; true worship is the joyful and willing submission of the whole of our lives to God (Romans 12:1-2).
Discipling Believers
The expectation in Living Light is that individually and corporately we’ll be continually growing in our relationship with God, in the undeniable evidence of His work in our lives, and in our fulfillment of everything He’s calling us to do. We’re thankful to Him for providing the Holy Spirit, the Bible and the Church to enable that growth.
In all of this, we are motivated by the exciting prospect of Christ’s return. He will come back for a Bride who has made herself ready (Revelation 19:7) – the mature Church referred to in Ephesians 4:13. That maturity comes about as we all realize who we are in Christ and find where we fit and how we function in His body (Ephesians 4:16). The Church is being made ready for the return of Jesus – what a privilege to be involved in this together!
Bringing Good News
Living Light is made up of people who’ve received and responded in faith to the good news of the Gospel, and who now experience the presence and power of God as a result. Jesus commanded His followers to “ … go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
We want to see this commission fulfilled in our families and communities, and across the globe as God leads us and gives us opportunity. This is not a responsibility to be delegated to a select few or to be limited to occasional projects or events – it’s to be a lifestyle for everyone who knows and loves God.
Our beginnings as a church go back to the 1970’s, when many individuals began to experience the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit in the context of what was known nationally and internationally as the “Charismatic Renewal.” They felt led to commit themselves to living out the example of the early church as described in the book of Acts.
Living Light Christian Church was officially launched in 1982. From the start, the leaders were very aware of the need for oversight and input. They were particularly struck by God’s strategy to bring the Church to maturity through the ministry gifts given by the risen Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13). Accordingly, they determined to find an apostle who could help them establish foundations, looking first to Bryn Jones and then his brother, Keri. In 2005, John Lalgee was recognized as having an apostolic role to the church, and continues to serve in that capacity.
Living Light Christian Church has grown into six congregations in Wisconsin, Michigan, England, and Germany, all overseen and cared for by One Church Ministries.
W h a t w e b e l i e v e
Scripture
The Bible is God’s inerrant, infallible Word to all people at all times. It was written by human authors under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. As such, it is a completely reliable revelation of God and our authoritative guide in all matters of faith, conduct and community.
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
God
The eternal God has revealed Himself as one, existing in three distinct persons – the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit — distinct in personality, yet inseparable in essence and unity.
(Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:38; Genesis 1:26)
Jesus Christ, being eternally God the Son, took on human form according to the will of God the Father. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, being both fully God and fully man.
(Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1,14, 18; Philippians 2:5-6; 1 Timothy 2:5)
The Holy Spirit is the Helper Jesus promised to send. He initiates the salvation of individuals by convicting them of sin and regenerating them, enabling the believers’ responses of repentance and faith. The Holy Spirit indwells all believers and is a seal upon them, marking them as the property of God. He unites individual believers with the Church, imparting gifts and cultivating the fruit of the Spirit. In addition, the Spirit guides, teaches, and comforts us.
(John 14:16-27, 16:7-15; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 5:2-5; 1 Corinthians 12, 14; Ephesians 1:13-14; Hebrews 3:7-8, 4:12; 2 Peter 1:11-12)
Salvation
Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, but fell from this position by disobeying Him. This rebellion is called sin and separated humanity from God. As a result of this fall, their moral nature was corrupted and spiritual and physical death ensued. This sinful nature has been transmitted through Adam to all, resulting in the total depravity of all mankind. All are sinners and have sinned, falling short of the glory of God. Humanity’s restoration to fellowship with God is made possible only through spiritual rebirth.
(Genesis 1:26, 5:1, 9:6, 3:6-8, 17-19; John 3:3, 6-7; Romans 3:23, 5:1-12, 3:10-24; 1 Peter 1:3-4)
Jesus Christ came to fulfill the will of God, destroy the work of the devil and accomplish our redemption. He died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day, personally appearing to His disciples. He ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now reigns, and will come again at the end of this age. He is the Savior of mankind.
(Matthew 27:32-28:10; John 1:29; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20, 21; Matthew 27:32-28:10; John 1:29; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20, 21; Acts 1:1-11; Romans 4:22-25, 5:9;1 Corinthians 15:4; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 9:12, 22; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 1:5, 5:9)
The gospel of Christ is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe and is the only way of restoration for humanity through the removal of sin and all that separates us from God. Christ, having died for our sins, bore the wrath of God and completely satisfied God’s righteous requirements, so that all may be fully reconciled to Him. This salvation is freely offered to all by grace, which means it is undeserved and unearned. Salvation is a gift of God, not as a result of our good works or any human effort.
(Acts 16:31; Romans 1:16-18, 4:22-25, 5:1-2; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2: 8-9; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 3:18)
Salvation is by grace through confessing faith in the work of Jesus in His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. When putting our trust in Christ and what He has done for us, we are eternally justified by Christ becoming our righteousness, and indwelt with God’s presence. Through salvation, sinners become new creations, born again with a purpose in God. We are not saved by works but for good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.
(John 1:12, John 3:16, 5:24; Romans 3:21-26, 8, 10:8-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21; 1 John 5:11-12)
The apostle Peter’s response to the question, “what must I do to be saved?” was three-fold. First, we repent, turn from our own ways and independent lifestyle and turn toward God and obedience to His will. Second, we are baptized in water. Water baptism is done by immersion in water as an act of obedience and public confession of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is an identification of the believer with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Third, we receive the infilling or baptism of the Holy Spirit. Baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ and the Old Testament prophets to all believers. It is a dynamic and distinct event for all believers. By it, God empowers us to become His witnesses.
(Matthew 3:11, 23:19; Acts 1:5, 8, 2:4, 17, 38-39, 2:38-39; 8:14-17, 10:44-46,1:15-17, 19:1-6; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Colossians 2:12)
Church
God, by His Word and Spirit, creates, guides and preserves the Church, calling individual believers into the fellowship of Christ’s body. The Church is not a building, religious institution or denomination. Rather, the Church is made up of those people who have become genuine followers of Jesus Christ and have been joined together to express His glory, Kingdom and will. This involves a lifestyle of discipleship in order to equip and mature the believer to minister the truths and principles of God’s Word in love and service.
(Matthew 16:17-19, 28:19-20; John 13:34-35; Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35, 5:42; Colossians 3:16-17; 1 Peter 2:4-10)
The biblical pattern for the leadership of the local church is government by a plurality of elders under the oversight of apostolic ministry. This leadership is called to outwork pastoral care and exercise biblical authority in the life of the church. Gifting and Christ-like character are necessary for this task. Every elder should exercise his ministry with the demonstration of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).
(Acts 2:42-47, 5:42, 6:1-6, 14:23; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4, Galatians 5:22-23)
The ministry gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are given by Christ to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. They are, therefore, necessary today and are to operate in, to and through the Church.
(Ephesians 4:10-13)
Learn more about the apostolic team Living Light works with, One Church Ministries.
Worship
The ultimate calling of all believers in this life and the next is to be worshipers of God. Thanksgiving, praise and worship should be continually developing in every area of believers’ lives and should characterize their daily walk under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
(2 Chronicles 20; Psalms 29, 95, 100, 107, 136, 150; Acts 16:25-34; Romans 12:1; Colossians 1:12-14; Hebrews 10:8-14, 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5)
Consummation
At the end of this age, Christ will visibly return to judge the living and the dead. Satan, his hosts and all those outside of Christ will finally be separated from the benevolent presence of God, enduring eternal punishment. All believers will be bodily raised from the dead unto everlasting life in the presence of God. God will establish a new heaven and a new earth, where we will reign with Christ in the fulfillment of His Kingdom. God’s glory will fill all things and we will serve and worship Him forever.
(Matthew 24:26-31, 25:31-46; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 35-58; 2 Peter 3:7-13; Revelation 20:11-21:27)
