ABOUT US
Who We Are
East Chain Evangelical Free Church, founded in 1892, has dedicated each generation to loving our neighbors as ourselves, extending grace, compassion, and service to those around us. We are committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ, teaching them to obey everything He has commanded, and equipping them to share the gospel with others.
Our Beliefs
1. The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the
original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the Divine and
final authority for all Christian faith and life. (Psalm 119:105; II Peter 1:19-21;
II Timothy 3:15-17)
2. In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; Psalm 83:18)
3. That Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of
the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further,
He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on
High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate. (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:14; Romans 5:8;
I Corinthians 15:3, 4; Hebrews 9:24)
4. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to
convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for
godly living and service. (John 3:5; Titus 3:5; I Corinthians 3:16; John 14:26; I Corinthians 6:19)
5. That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore lost and only through
regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. (Genesis 1:27, 31;
Genesis 3:6-24; Isaiah 53:6)
6. That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification
and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit,
and thus become children of God. (Romans 5:1, 9; John 3:16; Isaiah 53:4, 5; Ephesians 2:8)
7. That water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the
present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation. (Acts 16:13-40;
I Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 28:19; Matthew 26:17-30; Romans 6:1-14)
8. That the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have
been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ of which He is the
Head. (Ephesians 5:23-32; I Corinthians 12:12, 13; Acts 2:47)
9. That only those who are thus members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the
local Church. (Ephesians 5:24-32; Acts 2:47; I Corinthians 12:12, 13)
10. That Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local Church has the right
under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs. (Colossians 1:18)
11. In the personal, premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that this
“Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (Acts 1:11;
Thessalonians 4:13-18)
12. In the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the
Lord, of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.