VALUES & BELIEFS
VALUES & BELIEFS
CORE VALUES:
We maintain teachable hearts
We live generously
We empower potential
We stand for unity
We celebrate diversity and difference
WHAT WE BELIEVE:
About the Scriptures: We believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God and that men were moved by the Spirit of God to write the very words of Scripture. Therefore, we believe the Bible is without error.
About God: We believe in one God who exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ is the second member of the Trinity (the Son of God) who became flesh to reveal God to humanity and to become the Savior of the lost world.
About Humanity: We believe that all people were created in the image of God to have fellowship with him but became alienated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, people are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through their own efforts.
About Salvation: We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross, His sacrifice provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. Therefore, God freely offers salvation to those who place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin.
About the Christian Life: We believe all Christians should live for Christ and not for themselves. By obedience to the Word of God and daily yielding to the Spirit of God, every believer should mature and be conformed to the image of Christ.
About the Church: We believe that the church is the body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the head. The members of the church are those who have trusted by faith the finished work of Christ. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by loving him and by making him known to the lost world.
OUR LEADERSHIP
LEAD PASTOR Matthew Nickels
Matthew and Rachel Nickels have been married for more than 30 years and have been blessed with four children. Jordan, Michelle, Allysen and Eric fulfill the necessary ingredients to complete a loving family by the grace of God.
(1997) The call to full time ministry sent the Nickels to Scotland to serve at a mission base ministering to Scotland, Ireland, Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary. The Mission of Compassion organization was successful in planting churches, training pastors and leaders and fulfilling oversight to many churches and christian leaders. The Nickels began in the organization serving in practical capacities and over time began adding responsibilities and teaching experience which grew in to the promotion to Mission Base Leader. In that duty we oversaw 12 missionaries and all Scotland based initiatives.
(7 years) Mount Hope Church was their home church that later invited them back home again to serve in Pastoral ministry. A new children’s program and family ministry platform was created while pioneering a weekly family interactive experience. Dedicated volunteers continue to serve to this day and are testaments of the discipleship and mentoring process carried out by the Church enabling the Nickels in Leadership.
(6 years) Cornerstone Family Church invited the Nickels to create a family ministry platform in their church. A healthy team of volunteers was slowly built and staff were recruited and trained to fill the essential roles. As a part of the Senior Leadership team, the Nickels had the privilege of being invited to “team led leadership” That team facilitated the increase of 400 weekly attenders over a 4 year period.
(5 years) Mount Hope Church invited the Nickels to fill the role of Lead Associate Minister. The responsibilities and duties of this unique position within this organization intertwined with many roles a lead pastor would experience. The Leadership principles and priceless experience transferred to the Nickels reflects much honor toward the Leaders who released them to plant a new church with a blessing and the first financial seed.
(2019 to present) Silver Creek Church was planted by the Nickels in Birch Run. The Saginaw/Genesee county region is an amazing community that we are proud to call home. We have been welcomed and extended all of the love and assistance by everyone we meet and work along side with. We have been preparing our whole lives for this church and our leadership responsibilities we now accept. Our church is growing and adding people who bring with them unique expertise and experience that make our church better because they are here.
“True wisdom has two sides”
-Job chapter 11