our DNA

Our mission is why we exist and what God has called us to do in Bartow. This is based upon the Great Commission given by Christ in Matthew 28:19-20. Our vision is what we want to see happen over the next 2, 10, and 20 years as we carry out our mission. This is based upon the vision Jesus proclaimed to his disciples before he ascended into heaven: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" [Acts 1:8]. Our strategies help connect our mission to our vision in practical ways as wel seek to live out the Great Commission and the Great Commandment [Matthew 22:37].

  • Our mission


    DECLARE AND DEMONSTRATE THE LOVE OF

    CHRIST IN WORD AND DEED


    Declare the love of Christ in word is the plan of the Church in the Great Commission: “make disciples of all nations baptizing… and teaching”


    Demonstrate the love of Christ in deed: is the motivation of the Church within the Great commandment: love God and neighbor

  • OUr Vision

    GROW A HEALTHY CHURCH THAT WILL CULTIVATE A BEAUTIFUL CITY

    Jeremiah 29:7- But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.


  • our values

    Gospel- preaching, teaching, and living the free grace of God

    Prayer-complete dependence on Holy Spirit power

    Soul Care- intentional discipleship and care in genuine community

    Generosity-  stewarding what God has given us

    Mercy- engaging the seeker and marginalized


  • Our strategies

    Corporate Worship: celebrating God weekly through song, prayer, readings, preaching, and communion [click here for a sample bulletin]

    Discipleship: walking alongside each other through Bible study, prayer, accountability, and fellowship

    Evangelism: declaring the love of Christ through biblical hospitality, public school mentoring, and seeker studies

    Mercy Ministry: demonstrating the love of Christ in deed through serving the marginalized alongside of our ministry partners

    Biblical Counseling: caring for those in our community burdened by their sin, suffering, and sorrow through Oak City Biblical Counseling Center

    Youth Ministry: reaching the younger generation with the gospel through children's church and youth Bible studies

  • OUr Beliefs

    Oak City is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The PCA is committed to the Bible and spreading the gospel in word and deed around the world. A more detailed statement of our beliefs can be found in the historical Westminster Confession of Faith. Here's a brief summary of our beliefs:


    The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.


    There is one God, eternal and self-existing in three Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) who are to be equally loved, honored, and adored.


    All humanity participated in Adam's fall from his original sinless state and is therefore lost in sin and totally helpless.


    The sovereign God, for no other reason than His own pleasure and love, has chosen lost sinners from every nation to be redeemed by the atoning death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit. Those whom the Spirit draws, come to believe in Christ as Savior, are born again and adopted by God, and will persevere to the end. Justification is by faith and through it the undeserving sinner is covered with the righteousness of Christ. The end of God's grace in Christ is holiness, good works, and service that people might fully enjoy and glorify God.


    Christ has established his Church to gather and grow his people, by means of the ministry of the Word, prayer, and the sacraments of baptism (administered by water to believers and their children) and the Lord's Supper (in which Christ is spiritually present for the nourishment of believers by faith). The gospel of Jesus must go forth by the Church to all nations in word and deed.


    At death, the Christian's soul passes immediately into the presence of God and the unbeliever's soul is eternally separated from God unto condemnation and suffering in hell. Jesus Christ will return to earth, visibly and bodily, at a time when He is not expected, to judge the living and the dead, renewing all things according to the eternal plan of God.