We believe God has put us in Dumas Texas to do those very things. As a matter of fact that’s what our church is all about!
Discover God’s Grace:
We believe that the Gospel is more about Jesus Christ’s work than our individual works. That’s why we focus our message and ministry on the finished work of Christ. We are so obsessed with this truth that it actually shaped the name of our church.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of
God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Grow in Your Faith:
While the Gospel is all about Jesus’ finished work, we recognize that our journey with Jesus is in process and we have not arrived yet. Therefore, we will commit to our own spiritual growth by looking to and depending on the Holy Spirit for daily comfort, guidance, equipping and power to live for Christ.
Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is,
Christ. NIV
Reach into Our Community:
We refuse to allow ourselves to become "Me" focused. By constantly stretching ourselves past the borders of our comfort we intentionally look for areas of need in our community so that we can do something about it with the love of Christ and the power of the Spirit.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Welcome to GTF! Our desire is to discover God's grace, Grow in our faith so that we can reach into our community.
I. We believe in the Trinity.
Both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible show that there is one God, and that He exists forever and in three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
God the Father is the creator and sustainer of everything. He composed the universe—in all of its beauty and glory—and while He was making this universe, He made man in His own image so that He could have fellowship with him. After man fell, God the Father graciously called man back into fellowship with Him through Christ.
Jesus Christ is God and is the Son of God. He is the living Word of God, and through Him all things were created. Born to the Virgin Mary and of the Holy Spirit, Jesus left heaven and came to earth as a man to redeem mankind. He is completely God and completely man.
The Holy Spirit is God, and He is the Giver of life. The Spirit was active during the Old Testament, often speaking and working through the Jewish prophets. But it was on the day of Pentecost that He was given to the Church in fullness. The Holy Spirit works in our lives to transform us into the image of Jesus. He also empowers us to serve Jesus, and to be witnesses to His name. He is fully released in our lives by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which happens after salvation. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is shown both inwardly and outwardly by many different ways.
II. We believe that the Bible is the perfect Word of God and that it was written by God through man.
The Bible—being both the Old and New Testaments—is the only infallible Word of God that cannot be taken away from nor added to.
It is eternal. It is ultimate. It has complete authority and final say in all things, and its authority cannot be overcome or overridden in any way.
It’s the single source of all doctrine, instruction, correction, and reproof, and is the all-inclusive guidebook on how to practically live a godly life.
III. We believe that Christ’s death and resurrection made salvation possible.
When Jesus died for us on the cross, He paid the penalty for all of man’s sins. However, redemption is only possible through the personal acceptance of Christ as Savior and Lord. Christ’s sacrifice also made healing and total provision possible—for the spirit, soul, and body.
IV. We believe that salvation is a free gift.
We did nothing and could never do anything to deserve salvation. As Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." This belief is one of the guiding influences of Grace Thru Faith and the source of our name.
In connection with this truth we believe that when Jesus died on the cross, His goodness allowed us to be saved if we would have faith in Him and make Him Lord. Salvation happens by repenting of sin, believing in Jesus Christ, and personally receiving Him as Lord and Savior. It marks the beginning of a new life in Christ, in which we are the adopted heirs of His Kingdom.
At salvation we become a new creation. Our relationship with God is restored and He adopts us into His family. Just like a new baby though, we have to grow and learn how to become more and more like Christ every day. Sometimes we stumble but we are still His child. At GTF, we encourage constant growth as a Christian by loving and showing grace to others, serving, giving to the church, Bible study, worship, prayer, and Christian fellowship.
V. We believe that the Christian life is a life of knowing and loving Christ.
It is the combination of the new life that God gives us at salvation, and the truth He teaches us as we live it.
The Holy Spirit guides us through various circumstances in life—always revealing to us truths about Him and ourselves in the process. Faithfulness is simply trusting Him through it all and learning to submit our personal desires to His perfect will.
The shortcomings of individual Christians and the Church at large come from living in a fallen world while striving to become more like Christ. The life of the Christian is filled with trials, tests, and warfare with a very real spiritual enemy.
But for those who live a life of love, faith, and fellowship with Christ, eternal hope is secure in our relationship with Him. God always provides for His Church, and He will never go back on the promises in His Word.
VI. We believe that the mission of the Church is to make disciples.
The Church doesn’t just exist to get people into heaven, but also to train and equip them so that they are complete in Christ and able to live for Him here on Earth.
The Church is governed according to a biblical model of eldership. The church has honored roles of service including the roles of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers
VII. We believe in baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
These two practices were instituted by Jesus when He was on earth and are continued by His church to this day.
Water baptism is simply the outward sign of the inner work God has already done in the individual’s life. It is a sign of joining in Christ’s death to sin and His resurrection into life in righteousness, as well as a statement to all that the person being baptized now belongs to Christ.
The Lord’s Supper is done in honor and remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice until His return, and is a sign of our participation in Him.
VIII. We believe that Jesus is coming back.
And when He comes, all those who serve Him will reign with Him until the final judgment.
During the final judgment, God will judge all of mankind—young and old, men and women, believers and unbelievers. And each individual’s relationship with Christ will determine where he or she will spend eternity.