One of the greatest privileges I have as a University Pastor is upholding the doctrinal position of our Institution. This great ministry founded long ago by pilgrims of the faith, who had a vision for making disciples excites me to no-end. The same Jesus that they fell in love with and followed to the end of their earthly-lives, I too am in love with and obey with every area of my life.

We are Anabaptist Christians. “The word ‘Anabaptist’ was first used to describe 16th century reformers who insisted on believer’s baptism rather than infant baptism (and emphasized the separation of church and state).  Like our forefathers in the faith, we believe that God’s people are made new in Jesus and are to grow as followers and learners (disciples) of him (Mark 8:27-38; Matthew 5-7).  Jesus followers announce and publically celebrate their decision to join the family of God by being baptized (Acts 8:34-38; Romans 10:9-10).  We intend to demonstrate faithfulness to God as we practice holy living and mutual accountability (1 Peter 1:15-16; Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1-2), worship together in community (Hebrews 10:25), and join with God to accomplish his mission (Matthew 18:15-20; Matthew 9:37-38; 1 Corinthians 9:22).  Our authority comes from Scripture and is interpreted within the community of believers as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit (Acts 15).  Our mission comes from Jesus’ Great Commandment and his Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).  We are called to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:34-40), to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and to make peace through reconciliation with God, ourselves, our enemies, and God’s creation (2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Matthew 5:38-42).  Our mission will almost always be counter-cultural because our allegiance is to the Lord Jesus.  The kingdom he proclaims puts us in tension with the culture around us which often demands allegiance to other people, governments and temporal values.” [USMBhttp://www.usmb.org/menus/what-we-believe.html]

Here at Fresno Pacific University, we proclaim a biblical understanding of God that is both “Evangelical” and “Anabaptist.”  We continually seek a biblical vision of the work and mission of Jesus for individuals and for the world.  Our ministry commitment is to be kingdom agents in the world, in a dark and dying world, being faithful to God until he comes for us.

Core Convictions

We are a believer’s church:  to deal with our human sinfulness, we teach conversion to new life through faith in Jesus Christ and practice baptism as a public sign of personal commitment to Jesus as Savior and Lord.

We are Bible-centered: we accept the Bible as the inspired and authoritative word of God, seeking to obey its teaching, as illumined by the Holy Spirit and interpreted in the Christian community.

We emphasize discipleship: we seek to live as authentic followers of Jesus in our daily lives, orienting our lives around Jesus’ teaching and model.

We value Christian fellowship: we believe the church is a biblical and mutually loyal community that expresses itself in worship, fellowship, accountability and witness.

We are mission-minded:  we share our faith by telling others about the Good News of Jesus and serving others in our neighborhoods and around the world, in obedience to Jesus’ Great Commandment and to the Great Commission.

We seek peace: we believe the Bible invites us to be at peace with God and with others, even our enemies.

We cultivate healthy relationships: we are committed to choices that produce wholeness, healing, joy and peace in all relationships