About Us.

We have a passion for planting churches that will bring hope to our local and global communities by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Empower. Equip. Glorify.

We exist to empower people with the gospel and equip them to glorify Jesus.

Empower.

Through the gospel, the Holy Spirit empowers unbelievers by faith to believe the truth of the gospel and live a holy life.

Within ourselves, we are incapable of living a holy life before God. The gospel of Jesus, being the good news of his life and finished work on the cross, is revealed for us in the Bible. This truth is what empowers us by the Holy Spirit to be the people he has called us to be.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence — 2 Peter 1:3

Equip.

While we are saved by faith alone, our spiritual maturity is an ongoing process of growing in understanding and discipline.

While the Holy Spirit empowers the Believer to choose righteousness, it is our place to supplement our faith by reinforcing the work of the Spirit. As a church, we will equip people through gospel-centered preaching, encouraging biblical literacy, and providing opportunities to engage with our community.

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith… For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. — 2 Peter 1:5-8

Glorify.

Our purpose is to honor God and point others to him at every opportunity.

God created us to know him, enjoy him, and glorify him forever. Because God is sovereign over all things, this created purpose should extend to every area of our lives. This is our goal as a church and as individuals.

 

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. — Mark 12:30

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. — 1 Corinthians 10:31

Sunday Mornings

Through the gospel, the Holy Spirit empowers unbelievers by faith to believe the truth of the gospel and live a holy life. Within ourselves, we are incapable of living a holy life before God. The gospel of Jesus, being the good news of his life and finished work on the cross, is revealed for us in the Bible. This truth is what empowers us by the Holy Spirit to be the people he has called us to be. (2 Peter 1:3)

Sundays at 9 a.m.
Downtown Belleville YMCA
200 South Illinois Street
Belleville, IL 62220

Kids

Our vision for Living Hope Kids is to create a safe and fun environment to empower our children with the gospel and equip them to glorify Jesus.

Missional Communities

Missional Community is a group of people who love and support one another as a family, and live on mission through the normal rhythms of everyday life. Missional communities also gather during the week to eat, pray, and grow in the gospel. This is discipleship. Each Missional Community has a unique people and place they are dedicated to serving consistently through building relationships and sharing the love of Jesus. This is evangelism. In sharing our lives with one another and with them, it is our hope that the unbeliever will see the image of Jesus in us and be drawn to the beauty of our Savior. (Acts 2:42-47)

Our Values

Guiding principles that aim to keep our hearts and minds focused on Jesus.

Identity

Our identity is found in the gospel.

Lifestyle

Our lifestyle reflects the gospel.

Purpose

Our purpose is to proclaim the gospel.

Markers

How we gauge personal growth and discipleship in ourselves and our church family.

  • Readiness to recognize God’s hand at work in the world and interpret all of life through the lens of scripture. This includes the ability to clearly articulate the gospel message that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is our only hope of being reconciled to God and his created purpose for our lives.

  • The ability to read, understand, and apply the God’s Word (the Bible) to everyday life. This most-naturally develops within a regular rhythm of interacting with God’s Word and engaging it with others in the context of genuine Christian community.

  • Developing an awareness of opportunities and willingness to share the good news of Jesus with others. More than just evangelism, being missionally minded encompasses the act of sharing the gospel, but also the heart to speak this truth with love and compassion.