The Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Church is one of seven
conferences throughout the United States. In addition to our churches,
The Evangelical Church has missions in several other countries around
the world.
To learn more about who we are and the Evangelical denomination, follow the link below to view their website.
http://www.theevangelicalchurch.org/
The
birth of The Evangelical Church took place formally in Portland, Oregon
on June 4, 1968, and while it is one of the newest denominations, its
roots go deep into history. Its heritage in this country goes back to
the 1780's during the days of John Wesley. Beyond that, it goes back to
the great commission of Jesus Christ our Lord (Matthew 28: 18-20) and to
the Church that was born at Pentecost (Acts 2).
The Pacific Conference is made up of 50 churches of all sizes in Oregon and Washington.
Our History
The
Evangelical Church was born June 4, 1968, in Portland, Oregon, when 46
congregations and about 80 pastors met in an organizing session. Within
two weeks a group of twenty churches and thirty pastors from Montana and
North Dakota became a part of the new church. These congregations and
ministers had been a part of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and
the Methodist Church.
The spiritual roots of The Evangelical
Church go back to the ministry of Arminius, the 17th century theologian,
and to the Wesleyan revival. Certain distinctives were prominent in
motivating the people who formed the new denomination, and those
distinctives continue to guide the church's life, program, and devotion,
which includes:
- Interchurch relationship limited to Biblically sound spiritual fellowship.
- Faithful,
Biblical and sensible preaching and teaching of those truths proclaimed
by the scholars of the Wesleyan-Arminian viewpoint.
- An itinerant system which reckons with the rights of individuals and the desires of the congregations.
- Local ownership of all local church properties and assets.
The
former Holiness Methodist Church became a part of The Evangelical
Church in 1969, bringing its local churches, ministry and membership,
along with a flourishing mission field in Bolivia. The Wesleyan Covenant
Church joined in 1977, along with its missionary work in Mexico and
Brownsville, Texas, as well as its work among the Navajo Indians in New
Mexico.
Today the Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Church
is made up of fifty-three churches through out Oregon and Washington. We
have large churches and small churches; churches in rural areas and
churches in large metropolitan areas. We believe the local church is a
place of grace and growth where there is flexibility in worship. The
Pacific Conference serves to support and build healthy local churches by
providing assistance in Pastoral Leadership Development, training and
resources for TurnAround Pastors, and financial assistance and personnel
for planting new churches.
Our Beliefs
Scripture
The
66 books of the Old and New Testament are the writing through which God
has communicated His plan for humanity. They are authored by God
through human instruments and are without mistakes as originally
written. Therefore they carry the full authority of God. As such they
represent the complete revelation of His will for salvation and contain
all that is necessary to live a life pleasing to Him.
Trinity
There
is but one true and living God, creator of all things, eternally
existing in three person: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are
perfect (holy) and of equal dignity and power. Each person of the
Godhead has a vital role in the salvation of mankind and in enabling
individuals to lead a life pleasing to God.
Humanity
Man
is created in God's spiritual image to have a relationship with Him and
rule the earth on His behalf. However, as a result of man's
disobedience (sin), he is separated from God, with no hope of
restoration apart from God's intervention.
Salvation
Salvation
is the restoration of an individual's relationship with God. It is
possible because God the Father so loved mankind that He sent His son
(Jesus Christ), who willingly sacrificed His life to forgive our sins
and then rose again, enabling His Holy Spirit to dwell in us. Salvation
can only be obtained when an individual turns from disobedience
(repents) and receives God's gracious gift through faith in Jesus
Christ.
Sanctification
Sanctification
is God's will for those who have been restored to a relationship with
Him. Having freed them from the penalty of sin through faith in His Son,
God now requires that believers live holy lives, set apart (sanctified)
from the power of sin. A sanctified life is only possible through
reliance upon the Holy Spirit and daily surrender to His presence.
Church
All
believers in Christ are united by their faith and are part of the
spiritual body of Christ which is His Church. Each member plays a unique
essential role in fulfilling the mission of spreading the message of
salvation and displaying the love of God. Through teaching, prayer,
fellowship, service, and worship, the Church provides the believer with
the support they need to fulfill the mission.
Last Things
At
the end of time, Christ will come again. He will divide the believers
in Christ from the unbelievers. Those who have rejected Christ will be
eternally separated from God and suffer endless punishment in hell.
Those who have believed in Christ will go on to endless life in heaven.