Our Vision
The Torch is a church that focuses on five distinct priorities; people, prayer, praise, the preached Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Our ministry priorities and decisions are based on those priorities.
We focus on people, not programs. That means that our priorities are focused on the needs of people, not the needs of our programs. In other words, we will put people first and the church second. We choose to be servants, loving people in the midst of their dilemmas of life. This means that unorthodox ministry takes place. For example, we focus on children as a top priority. We invest in children's staff, children's facilities, and children's resources. As a result, the largest mission field inWe seek to provide an atmosphere in which people can mature in Christ through discipleship training, move to full participation as ministers in the Body of Christ, and become connected together as members of a local covenantal community of believers. Small groups have become an integral part of this process.
We want to be a Biblical church where...
- A Coherent Strategic Plan is clearly articulated
- Staff, leaders, members, and attendees model a balanced, biblically ordered lifestyle in every aspect of their lives
- The church has an active plan to get out of debt and stay out of debt Lay people bring new people to Christ and the church
- The church is the center of the social life...people feel loved, accepted, forgiven, appreciated, and have their needs met
- 80-90% of members are in small groups that actually minister
- The church is the center for training in selecting a mate, marriage skills, parenting skills, financial (Biblical) management
- The church models and teaches holiness
- The church communicates clearly the needs of others which need to be born by the body We provide an atmosphere where involvement in ministry is an expectation for all
- We provide an atmosphere of and structure for discipleship in all age groups
- Stewardship of our time, talent, testimony, treasure, temple and family
- A visionary leadership team that leads by example
- Reaching out to the lost, discouraged, growth seekers, needy, and hurting
- We reach an ever-increasing number of people with the gospel of Jesus Christ Providing necessary, contemporary facilities
Mission Statement
Living the Word, Loving People, Lighting the Way
We will strive to:
- Reach an ever-increasing number of people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Move Attendees to– a.) Full Participation
- To motivate every attendee to pray, serve, and give
- To develop needs based ministries
- To provide adequate facilities to minister to the body
b.) Maturity in Christ
c.) Community through connectedness
Keys to Success:
· consistent casting of vision by all members of our staff
· long-term pastoral leadership
· a commitment to discipleship
· training and equipping laity
· release of ministry to the laity
· high expectations on the members of our body
· faithful implementation of stewardship principles
· constant evaluation and accountability
· a fully developed and implemented small group strategy and process
· relevant preaching and teaching
· dynamic worship
· a commitment to mission and ministry outside our four walls
The Torch was organized on May 12th, 1952 with 11 charter members. The church was located in Baldwin
The
CHRISTIAN
First and foremost, the
The denomination stands firmly for justification by faith, the priesthood of believers, and the authority of the Bible.
FOUNDATIONAL
The
1. The inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible.
2. The virgin birth and complete deity of Christ.
3. The atoning sacrifice of Christ's death for the sins of the world.
4. The literal resurrection of the body.
5. Christ's second coming in bodily form to earth.
The administration of the Church of God at the international level is under the supervision of the General Overseer (Presiding Bishop), three assistants (executive bishops), the secretary general, and eighteen counselors constituting the International Executive Council of the church.
The International Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the church. These leaders are elected at the General Assembly, a biennial gathering of ministers and laity meeting for business, worship and fellowship.
Administrative Bishops, state overseers, provides leadership at the state or regional level and local pastors are appointed by these bishops consultation and prayer with the local church.
The Torch believes in the whole Bible to be completely and equally inspired and that it is the written Word of God.
