How do we follow Jesus from fear to love?
(Our four church values)

Holistic Spiritual Formation

We believe that the nature of following Jesus is to accept the invitation of Spiritual Formation. Spiritual Formation is the way in which a person is shaped in every aspect of their life based on who or what they worship. The theologian James K.A. Smith wrote,

“Love is like autopilot, orienting us without our thinking about it.”

Who or what we love is ultimately what shapes us the most. As followers of Jesus, our desire is to be shaped by the love and life of Jesus. And we believe that when we abide in Jesus, formation is transformation.

We experience spiritual formation through our liturgies in worship, our personal prayer lives and contemplative rhythms, our discipleship in groups and with mentors and peers, how we love and serve those around us, etc. Ultimately, Holistic Spiritual Formation means that we believe everything is spiritual and that everything we do is worship and, therefore, shapes us.

You can watch or listen to this message from our vision series for our teaching on this subject.

“Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

“Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.” John 15:4

Generous Belonging

We believe that the kingdom of Heaven is, in part, made perfect in its beautiful diversity. If we want to see the prayer of “heaven come to earth”(Mat 6:10, Luke 11:2) fulfilled, we understand that this vision is incomplete until everyone has an equal seat at the table and finds belonging. This is why we are endeavoring to foster a community that embraces people of every ethnicity, culture, ability, and experience with curiosity, humility, and equity. Everyone loves people who are like themselves (Mat 5:46-48), but if belonging is to be Christian, it needs to be generous.

We also understand that this work is far easier said than done. We approach it with humility, knowing that although we are doing good work, much work needs to be done.

As of now, we are offering A.I. generated Spanish translation for our gatherings, cool-down stations for students who are neurodivergent, ADA access for people who use wheelchairs and walkers [see here for details], assisted hearing devices available at the info table, and we are happy to announce the incorporation of live closed captioning services during our gatherings as we endeavor to extend generous belonging to those of us who are hard of hearing or members of the deaf community

We would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions or insight into creating a more generous belonging for people of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences. Please feel free to reach out to us here.

After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9

We also believe that Jesus offers us belonging before we behave or believe correctly. Jesus invited the disciples to join in with his life long before they had it all together. If you are unsure how you feel about Jesus, Church, or Christianity, we are so grateful for your interest, and you are most welcome.

You can listen to this sermon from our vision series for more on what it means to embrace Generous Belonging.

Humble Peacemaking

We believe that the kingdom of heaven does not conform to the world's ideologies, philosophies, or politics and that the kingdom of God is not right or left but above. At Red Hills Church, there are people who vote and think differently from one another, but we all have one thing in common, the transformational love of Jesus. Jesus told us to love everyone, including our enemies (Mat 5:44).

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

At Red Hills, we desire to come together in a community united by Christ, not a political ideology or philosophy. This does not mean that we ignore or disengage with politics. Public policy, governance, and societal structures deeply matter; we should approach these matters with sobriety and intentionality. However, we are first and foremost citizens of the kingdom of Heaven (Phil 3:20). Our loyalty and faithfulness go to Jesus.

So, instead of approaching complex and important issues with fear-based cultures of division, debate, and defensiveness, we endeavor to foster a community that accepts the invitation into Christ’s love with curiosity, humility, and civil dialogue.

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

For more on what it means to embrace Humble Peacemaking, you can listen to this sermon from our vision series.

Loving Service

We believe that life with Jesus transforms our lives in a way that invites us into the selfless, sacrificial love of Christ, who did not come to be served but to serve (Mar 20:28). When we love people by serving them, we honor Jesus (Mat 25:35-40). Following Jesus is about so much more than personal salvation. Though important, our personal experience with Jesus is not the end of the journey. Christians are invited to lovingly serve their communities.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?

If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself. James 2:14-17

We believe that our surrounding community should come to know our church as a place they can go to when there is a need. We should have a reputation for being people who help make our community better! This is why we are always looking for ways to engage with the needs of our cities. If you’d like to learn more about how to engage in loving service to our community, you can visit our Serve and For The City pages.

“Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.” Jeremiah 29:7