About

Our Story

Our story began in 1934 when Rev. and Mrs. W.C. Marcus were directed by God to open the Pentecostal Church of God on the corner of 23rd and Annie Baxter in Joplin, Missouri. They found a vacant building, which had been a dance hall upstairs over a barbershop below. The congregation quickly began to grow and expand.

In 1965, Pastor Paul Dilts became pastor. The old building was in disrepair, and a new one was built. The formal dedication was on June 27, 1971. In November of 1974, Pastor Dilts answered a call to the mission field of Guatemala in Central America.

Many pastors followed, including Wayman Ming, Jr. – who was pastor during the 60th Anniversary. In 1994, Pastor Ming relocated, and in the process, birthed Joplin Family Worship Center on East 7th Street. Pastor Dilts returned from the mission field and purchased the vacant building on Annie Baxter and assumed the position of pastor there.

Pastor Dan Saunders followed Pastor Dilts, and then in 2010, Pastor Josh Pennington was voted in as pastor. That following January, the church voted to change the church name to Christpoint Church. Because of growth and limited space, on December 7, 2014, the church voted to relocate to its current location in Galena, Kansas.

Our Beliefs

Statement of Faith

Show More Show Less

The Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds are ancient creeds of the Early Church. These creeds summarize the fundamental beliefs we hold as Christians, especially the deity of Jesus, and they also connect us to all believers around the globe. When we recite these creeds, we are not just reciting Scripture; we are also affirming that there is but one universal Church that functions as the one Body of Christ and the worship of the one true God.

Apostles’ creed

Show More Show Less

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the maker of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. He descended into hell... The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Christian Church; the communion of saints; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Nicene creed

Show More Show Less

We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven; He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried. The third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.

The Scriptures

Show More Show Less

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) presenting to us the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and constituting the Divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice (2 Peter 1:21).

The Godhead

Show More Show Less

We believe there is but one true and living God, who is everlasting, infinite in power, wisdom and goodness; that He is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, and Preserver of all things (Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16). In the unity of this Godhead, there are three persons of one individual essence, who are co-equal, co-existent, and co-eternal; namely, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16, 17; 28:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1,2, 18; 10:33; 14:26; 15:26; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 9:14). The Son is the eternally begotten of the Father, and He accepted earthly limitations for the purpose of incarnation, being true God and true man; conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the just for the unjust as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on High as our great High Priest, and He will return again to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and justice. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, Executive of the Godhead on earth, the Comforter sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to indwell, to guide and to teach the believer, and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8).

Humankind, The Fall, and Redemption

Show More Show Less

People are created beings, made in the likeness and the image of God, but through Adam and Eve’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world (Romans 5:12). “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). 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 people to God (1 John 3:8).

Salvation

Show More Show Less

Salvation is made possible through the meritorious work of Jesus Christ on the cross and through Holy Spirit conviction. Godly sorrow works repentance and makes possible the experience of the new birth, and Christ formed within us is the gift of eternal life (2 Corinthians 7:10; Titus 2:11; Romans 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7). Salvation is the gift of God topeople, 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, 9). Individuals are free moral agents and can at any time after the new birth experience turn away from God and die in a state of sin, with eternal separation from God as a consequence.

The Church

Show More Show Less

The true Church, built upon the Foundation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20), is the Body of our Lord (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:27) with Christ as the Head (Ephesians 1:22, 23; Colossians 1:18). Its earthly constituents are all true believers, born again of the Spirit (John 3:6) and of the Word (1 Peter 1:23), who are living an overcoming Christian life (Ephesians 5:27; Revelation 21:27). To the Church, through its members, are delegated the various gifts and offices of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 27, 28), which are necessary for the successful evangelization of the world and the perfecting of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:11, 12). This universal, invisible, sanctified Church is the chaste virgin Bride of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:1, 2; Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 21:9b, 27). It is this Bride for whom Jesus Christ will return, just prior to the Great Tribulation, to catch her away and take her to heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The Ministry

Show More Show Less

God, through the Holy Spirit, definitely calls such as He desires to serve as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, and specifically endues the one called with the talents and gifts specific to that office or offices (Ephesians 4:11, 12). Under no circumstances should anyone be ordained or set apart to any such office unless the calling is distinct and evident.

Water Baptism

Show More Show Less

Baptism in water is by immersion, a direct commandment of our Lord (Matthew 28:19), and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39). The following recommendation regarding the water baptism formula is adopted: “On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Show More Show Less

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11) is a gift from God, as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation of time, and is received subsequent to the new birth (John 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 2:38, 39; 10:44-48). The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is accompanied by speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit himself gives utterance as the initial physical sign and evidence (Acts 2:4).

Sanctification

Show More Show Less

The Bible teaches that without holiness no person can see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation (Hebrews 13:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Corinthians 6:11; John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

The Lord’s Supper

Show More Show Less

The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a commandment of our Savior, and being a memorial to His death and resurrection, is strictly limited to Christian believers (1 Corinthians 11:27). The time and frequency of its observance is left to the discretion of each congregation (1 Corinthians 11:26). Only unfermented grape juice, the fruit of the vine, as recommended by our Lord (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18) shall be used in connection therewith.

Divine Healing

Show More Show Less

Healing is for ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God, through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands (Mark 16:18; James 5:14, 15). It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and it is a privilege of the believer.

The Resurrection of the Just

Show More Show Less

The Bible promises, “This same Jesus…shall so come in like manner” (Acts 1:11). 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” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). Following the tribulation, He shall return to 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).

The Coming of the Lord

Show More Show Less

We believe the Bible presents the coming of Christ as personal, imminent, pre-tribulation, and premillennial. We further contend that this position alone admonishes watchfulness, incites holy living, prevents spiritual declension, and provides maximum incentive and motive for urgency and zeal in evangelizing the unsaved.

Hell and Eternal Retribution

Show More Show Less

The ones who physically die in their sins without Christ are hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire and therefore have no further opportunity of hearing the gospel or for repentance (Hebrews 9:27). The Lake of Fire is literal (Revelation 19:20). The terms “eternal” and “everlasting” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned (Matthew 25:41-46) 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.

Marriage

Show More Show Less

Marriage is the covenant union between a natural born man and a natural born woman, instituted and ordained by God as the lifelong relationship between one man as husband and one woman as wife (Genesis 1:27-28; Mark 10:6-9).

Our Mission and Vision

Mission

WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

HOW TO DO THE VISION

Our mission is to develop disciples who love God with all their head, heart, hands, and feet (Matt 28:19,20 & Luke 10:27).

Vision

Where are we going and what we aspire to be:

It is the vision of Christpoint to be a biblically rooted, vibrant, multi-generational, ethnically diverse, Spirit-filled community of believers who are pursuing God with passion, serving others, developing leaders, and pointing our neighbors, neighborhoods, and the nations to Jesus Christ.

Our Core Values

01 Growth

It’s more than just attending church.

Eph. 4:1-6; Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 2:42

Growth is a decision. Spiritual growth is a process whereby we become more like Jesus in word, thought, and deed. True spiritual growth has to do with “being transformed into his likeness” (2 Cor.4:18). What this means is that spiritual maturity is measured as much in our lifestyle as it is in our learning. A commitment to growth is not easy because growth means change, and change is difficult. However, growth means we are living abundantly as the life of Christ is reproduced in our own lives.

02 Service

It’s more than just showing up.

Acts 2:45; Eph. 2:10; 4:11-13; Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 4:10-11

Jesus demonstrated that the most influential life is a life of sacrificial service. In the words of Mark’s gospel, Jesus “came not to be served but to serve” (Mk.10:45). Likewise, we believe that we will influence the world for Christ when resting in and motivated by His great love for us, we extend that love through our own hands and feet in acts of service to others. We are saved to serve, and service happens when each person uses “whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Pet. 4:10).

03 Generosity

It’s more than just the money.

James 1.17; Eph. 5:15-16; I Peter 4:10; Rom. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 9:7; Acts 20:35

The gospel is, in and of itself, the greatest act of generosity that humankind has ever been offered. In addition, it is a stark reminder that we do not deserve anything. Everything that we have has been graciously given to us as a display of God’s grace with the purpose of pointing us back to Him. That means that we are not owners, but rather we are stewards of God’s resources. We want to respond to His grace by giving our time, talent, and treasure back to Him.

04 Truth

It’s more than just a creed.

John 14:6; John 17:17; John 18:36-38; I Tim. 3:14-15; II Tim. 3:16 -17

We live in a society filled with philosophical relativity, moral uncertainty, and unconditional tolerance. In contrast, we believe that the Bible contains absolute truth revealed by God and manifest by Jesus Christ. Our preaching, teaching, and life practice are efforts to model this truth.

05 Honor

It's more than just a thank you.

Rom. 12:9-10; I Peter 2:17; Rom. 13:7, I Tim. 5:17-1814:13-14

Our culture is increasingly becoming one in which individuals have no desire to show honor to each other. The media is filled with dis-crediting, dis-honoring, and efforts to smear people’s reputations. At Christpoint Church, we are committed to learning what it means to truly honor all people, showing no favoritism based on ethnicity, socio-economic background, or status. This in no way means that we don’t realize that as human beings we are flawed at our core and therefore make mistakes. Rather, we choose to dwell on that which is good in people, because all humans are the Imago Dei (image of God). We choose to celebrate what people do well. We choose to encourage and exhort one another, rather than be critical and tear down. We do not rejoice in anyone’s shortcomings.