The Gospel is the most wonderful news ever announced. The gospel is the message that we are saved from our sins from Jesus’ perfect life of obedience, his sacrificial death on the cross, and his subsequent bodily resurrection. Our salvation is not merited by our own works but is by grace through faith in Jesus. There is no better news for the world than the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. We stress that the gospel is news, it is something that has happened which means we do not and cannot save ourselves through good works or being good moral people. The gospel tells us that we are made right with God and are adopted as His sons and daughters through Christ dying on the cross as a substitute for our sins. For those who turn to God in repentance and faith can rest knowing that Jesus paid for their debts and that their sins are forgiven. The gospel promises new and eternal life in Christ, with this new life beginning right now as we are remade into Christ’s image.
Here at HCC, we believe that the hope for the world and hope for the sinner is not mere knowledge of God or certain truth statements. The gospel message is the very power of God, which changes us and conforms us in every part of us. Being gospel-centered means we intend to let the message of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection shape our identities, priorities, relationships, attitudes, and everything we do, both in public and in private. Every ministry we engage in as a church is firmly built and centered on the good news of Christ and His gospel.
We joyfully submit to the Word of God as our ultimate authority in all things. Scripture is not just a guide but the living and active voice of God, revealing His character, his redemptive plan in Christ, and his will for his people. We desire that every part of our lives and the ministry of our church be shaped by God’s Word, trusting it to be sufficient, clear, and powerful to transform lives. By rooting ourselves in Scripture, we anchor our faith and practice in what is eternal and unshakable, allowing God’s Word to have the first and final word in our life together as a church.
Therefore, at HCC the Word is always open, whether it be in sermons, home groups, elder meetings, children and student ministry, or one-on-one discipleship. This is also why we preach expositional sermons; sermons in which the main point of the passage is the main point of the sermon. Since God has graciously revealed himself to us in the Bible, we want sermons that are committed to the accurate exposition and application of the whole counsel of God. Our normal practice is to preach systematically through books of the Bible.
We long to grow in the grace we have received through Jesus, becoming more like Him in every area of life. The gospel is not only the foundation of our faith but the power that continually transforms us. As followers of Jesus, we abide in Him through His Word, prayer, and life together in community, trusting that He will produce lasting fruit in us. This growth is not about striving to earn God’s favor but living out the grace we’ve freely received, so that our lives increasingly reflect the beauty and character of Christ to the world.
Here at HCC, this means walking together in discipleship, life-on-life relationships, and being a meaningful member of the local church. It looks like gathering around God’s Word, praying with and for one another, serving in love, and encouraging each other toward spiritual maturity. We want to be a people who grow not just in knowledge, but in grace-filled obedience, reflecting Christ in our homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces.
As Peter proclaimed in his famous sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2, the gospel promise is, “for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” The gospel is good news for everyone which most certainly means our kids! This means we desire to see the gospel reach all generations. Moreover, we believe the gospel is not just a message to be preserved but a transforming power to be proclaimed and lived out in families, friendships, and the life of the church. By equipping parents, mentoring youth, and engaging children, we aim to see every generation formed by the gospel and actively participating in God’s redemptive mission so that Christ remains at the center of our faith and witness for generations to come.
While recognizing that God has given parents the primary responsibility to teach their children the gospel, the Church is called to support and assist parents in this discipleship. Through Word-based and Gospel-centered teaching in our core classes, Sunday School, and various youth settings we want to help young people see how God’s Word applies to their lives. We are also committed to modeling Christlikeness in the home and church to help our kids see what a Christian should look like. We recognize that children are a great gift and responsibility from the Lord.
We joyfully join God in His work of redeeming all things through Christ by proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth. God’s heart beats for the nations, and the church is His chosen vessel to carry the good news of Jesus to every people and place. This means equipping and sending disciples who live on mission locally and globally, praying for and supporting those who go, and engaging every member of the church in God’s redemptive plan. Our sending is not rooted in obligation but in worship—because Christ is worthy of the praise of all peoples.
We deliberately put resources, time, and energy into sending and equipping missionaries to fulfill the great commission. We also desire to see the gospel spread in Thurston County, and through our own personal evangelism and support of various ministries, we feel are aligned with our desire to see others transformed by the grace of the gospel. We believe every Christian has a role in the great commission, and therefore we aim for our lives to be a visible and audible testimony to Christ.
