the full story
Who we are, where we come from, and
how we carry out the mission to grow God's Kingdom
our history
& our future
Founded by a black pastor and a white pastor, New City Church now has multiple locations in Iowa with the same mission. What began as two pastors merging their Cedar Rapids churches in 2018 continues to multiply today. We are uniquely positioned with our history to bring hope and unity at a time marked by so much division.
discipleship path
Everything we do IN and THROUGH New City is connected to our discipleship path. We believe there are four areas we all should be growing in and helping others to grow in as followers of Jesus.
Love God
worship
Connect with God by giving honor, respect, recognition, and adoration to Him.
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Exodus 20:5; Matthew 4:10; Acts 2:42-47
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Disciples of Jesus worship through:
Baptism
Prayer
Communion
Help Others
serve
Point people to Jesus by meeting the needs of others through caring words & actions.
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Mark 10:45; Acts 2:44-45;
1 Corinthians 9:22
Disciples of Jesus help by:
Serving inside the church
Serving outside the church
Giving
Spend Time Together
connect
Christ-centered community that is commited & encouraging to one another.
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John 15:12-13; Acts 2:42-47
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Disciples of Jesus connect through:
Groups
Hospitality
Mentorship
Know the Bible
learn
Grow in Biblical understanding and application.
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Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:11-16
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Disciples of Jesus learn through:
Bible Study
Personal Devotion
Teaching/Sharing
To take a step in any of these areas, choose your location for more details!
our values
Transparency
be open with each other
diversity
live in harmony with each other
unity
work hard to work together
humility
yield to one another
trust
choose to believe in each other
courage
be willing to say 'yes' and take big risks
What we believe
Holy Bible
The Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority for determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, the Bible is inspired, infallible and inerrant (See Prov. 30:5; Rom. 16:25, 26; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21)
God
There is one God, eternally existent in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and co-eternal (Gen. 1:26; Isa. 9:6; Matt.3:16, 17; 28:19; Luke 1:35; 1 John 5:7)
God The Father
The Father Is Fully God. His Fatherhood is eternal and personal. He is the Father of the Lord Jesus and of all who believe in Christ. (Eph. 3:14-15)
God The Son
The Son is Jesus Christ. He was sent to the earth by the Father. On earth, Jesus was fully God and fully man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, died on the cross for humankind, and, thus, paid the penalty for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return in power and glory. (John 1:1, 14; 20:28; Phil. 2:5, 6; I Tim. 2:5; 3:16).
God the Holy Spirit is equal in deity and person with God the Father and God the Son. He makes people aware of their need for Jesus Christ, performs the miracle of the new birth, and comes to live in every Christian the moment they trust in Jesus Christ. (John 16:5-15)
Man, His Fall & Redemption
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God. (Romans 5:14; 3:23; 3:10; 1 John 3:8)
Salvation
Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God. (Ephesians 2:8)
Eternal Life & the New Birth
Man’s first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced produces eternal life. (II Corinthians 7:10, 1 John 5:12; John 3:3-5)
Water Baptism
Baptism in water by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39)
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers and is received after the New Birth. This empowerment by the Holy Spirit includes operating in God-given spiritual gifts, prophecy, and speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives the ability. (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:8; 2:38-39; 19:1-7; 2:4)
Sanctification
The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of Grace, starting at the time of salvation and continuing until Christ's return. (Hebrews 12:14; I Thessalonians 5:23; II Peter 3:18; II Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; I Corinthians 1:30)
Divine Healing
Healing is for the ailments of the human body including our physical, mental, and emotional weaknesses. It is provided by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands. Christ provided healing through His sacrifice on the cross and it is the privilege of every member of the church today. (James 5:14-16; I Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-5)
Resurrection of the Just & the Return of Our Lord
The angels said to Jesus’ disciples, “...this same Jesus...shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” His coming is imminent. When He comes, “...the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air....” (Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16-17)
Following the Tribulation, He shall return to the earth as King of kings, and Lord of lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests; He shall reign a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
Hell & Eternal Retribution
The one who physically dies in his sins without accepting Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire and, therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting. The Lake of Fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting”, used in describing the duration of punishment of the damned in the Lake of Fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 19:20)
Marriage & Sexuality
The Bible teaches that the only legitimate sexual union is in marriage between a man and a woman. Bible texts support the belief that any sexual relations outside the boundaries of a marriage between one man and one woman constitutes sexual immorality. (Genesis 2:22-24; Leviticus 18:1-30; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 5:22-33; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4.)