Our Purpose
At Highland Park Baptist Church, our purpose is to guide people forward in their discipleship and help them grow in their relationship with Christ. The journey begins with accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior: acknowledging your sin before Him, believing that He is the eternal Son of God who died and rose again for your salvation, and confessing Him as Lord with a sincere and humble heart. Salvation is the starting point—not the finish line. From there, our mission is to help believers move from Worshiping, to Growing, and then into Serving.
Worshiping is the entry point.
This takes place on Sunday mornings and evenings as we gather together to worship the Lord and welcome guests and friends. We worship through Prayer, Praise, and the Preaching of God’s Word. From this place of worship, we encourage everyone to take the next step into Growing.
Growing is the equipping point.
Spiritual growth happens in Sunday School, Discipleship Training, and Wednesday night Bible Study. In these small group settings, we learn, fellowship, and strengthen our faith through Prayer, Preparation, and Participation. As we grow, we are then encouraged to step into Serving.
Serving is the empowering point.
Serving takes place through ministry teams inside the church and outreach efforts in the community. We serve Christ by serving His people and those around us. This happens through Prayer, Partnership, and Practice. A believer cannot experience full joy and spiritual vitality without serving.
Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to Love God and Love People. As we move through Worshiping, Growing, and Serving, we live out these commandments—Glorifying God and Reaching our Community. Those we reach then begin the same journey with us.
So we ask: Are you ready to start the journey?
Or are you content with staying where you are?
Our Beliefs
About God
We believe that Scripture reveals God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He alone is the One True God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the Creator, the Mighty God, our Redeemer. He is our God, and He reigns forever.
About Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God. He came to earth as a man, born of a virgin, lived a perfect and sinless life, died a fully atoning death on the Cross, and rose bodily from the grave. Jesus is the Savior of the world—the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world—and the soon-coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the only mediator between God and humanity and the only way into the Kingdom of God.
About the Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. It is the final authority for our lives and for our church. It must be preached, received, and believed. We hold no creed or statement of faith above or in place of God’s Holy Word.
About Salvation
We believe salvation comes through repentant faith in Christ alone. While baptism, church membership, the Lord’s Supper, good works, and obedience to God’s will are important, they do not bring salvation. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and is available to all who call upon Him in repentance. “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
About the Church
We believe the Church is the Body of Christ, called to obey the Great Commandment and to fulfill the Great Commission. The Church is the gathering of believers who share a common faith in Christ, devoted to glorifying God, building one another up in fellowship, and reaching a lost world with the gospel.
About Marriage
We believe that God designed marriage to be a covenant union between one man and one woman in Christ. Marriage is a picture of Christ’s relationship with His Church, and any departure from this design is outside of God’s will. We stand firmly for biblical marriage.
About Life
We believe that life begins at conception. To support the taking of innocent life is to stand opposed to the heart of Christ. Jesus warns against harming the little ones whom He loves. Therefore, we stand for life and seek to protect and value every unborn child.