WHAT WE BELIEVE
We are an autonomous Church, with no denominational ties to any group. However, we are affiliated with other Christian Churches around the world. These sister-churches have an allegiance to the Bible and to Christ Jesus. There will be differences in policy, tradition and practices – however, for the most part there will be unity in beliefs.
These Christian Churches (some use the name “Church of Christ”) hold to a simple uniting plea of being “Christians only.” We don’t believe that we are “the only Christians – just Christians only.” We speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent. Our desire is to “restore” God’s church to the way it was in the New Testament era. Hence, we are part of the “Restoration Movement.”
DOCTRINE:
GOD:
There is one, holy God who eternally exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God created all things visible and invisible. God is perfect in wisdom, power, and love, knowing all things past, present, and future, and his sovereign plan of redemption was set in place before the foundation of the world. (Gen 1:1-2, Dt. 6:4, Heb 11:3, Eph 1:9-10; Rev 13:8)
JESUS:
Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, born of a virgin, fully divine and fully human, and our Savior and Lord. Jesus, who was without sin, died in our place as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, bearing divine wrath, and reconciling to God all who trust in him. Jesus was bodily resurrected in victory over sin and death. He ascended to the right hand of the Father where he presently reigns as our king, high priest, and advocate until his glorious return. (John 3:16, Col 1:15; 2:9-15; 1 Cor 15:3-8, 20-28; 2 Cor 5:18-21; Heb 4:14-15)
HOLY SPIRIT:
The Holy Spirit is fully divine and active in the church and the world. The Holy Spirit draws all people to Christ by illuminating the gospel and convicting of sin. The Holy Spirit dwells in the life of a believer to transform, guide, assure, and empower living a fruitful Christian life. (John 16:8-11; Acts 2:38; 2 Cor 3:17-18; Gal 3:2)
BAPTISM:
Baptism is the symbol of one’s new birth into the new creation. It depicts our entrance into Christian community that is ruled by the story of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. With a new identity, we are symbolizing dying to ourselves (Romans 6:3-4) in allowing the Spirit to transform us into the unified community of those who belong to God (Matthew 28:18-20). We affirm the pattern in Scripture to be a believer's baptism by immersion (Acts 2:38-41).
COMMUNION:
Communion is the symbol of coming together and partaking of the same meal that Jesus had with his disciples before he was crucified. By doing so, we are affirming Christ’s presence among us, and in one another. The juice represents his blood that was shed for us, the bread represents his body that was given for us (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
ETERNITY:
Christ will visibly return to restore creation and judge the world. There will be a bodily resurrection for the believers to eternal life with God in heaven and for the unbelievers to eternal judgment in hell. In heaven, sin will be no more and those in Christ will live in fellowship with God forever. (Acts 1:11; 2 Thess 1:5-12; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Rev 20:11-15).
SIN:
God created all humans, male and female, in his image, and therefore all people have intrinsic value and purpose. By the sin of the first man and woman (Adam and Eve), death entered the world. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, alienated from God and without hope apart from the blood of Jesus Christ. (Gen 1:26-27; Gen 3; Rom 3:23; Eph 2:1-3)
SCRIPTURE:
God is revealed in the Bible, the uniquely inspired written Word of God and infallible in all that it affirms. The Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21)
SALVATION:
Salvation can be found in Christ alone and is offered to all by grace through faith. Our saving faith is displayed by believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, confessing we are sinners separated from righteousness, repenting of our sin by turning away from parts of our lives that don’t line up with Scripture, being baptized by immersion into Jesus, and living out of our new obedient heart we’ve been given. (Rom 3:23; 5:12, Acts 2:38, Gal 3:26-29; Eph 2:4-10)
STAFF AT FCC ATLANTIC
COLT DOHERTY
Lead Pastor
Hey guys! I’m Colt, I’m originally from Southern California (but don’t hold that against me, I’m loving the Midwest so much more). I moved out to Joplin, MO to attend Ozark Christian College where I received my BA in Bible and Ministry. While there, I met the wife beyond my greatest dreams and married Jillian in August 2018. Our daughter Olivia was born in November 2021. We love being outdoors and going on adventures, exploring new places, and experiencing new food. My heartbeat for ministry is to see people tasting and seeing that the Lord is good, and taking the next step in their faith to know God better. I love to guide people as they realize only Christ can fill the void they’re searching in vain to fill.
DANIEL LANGLEY
Family Pastor
Hey, I'm Daniel! I was born and raised in Shenandoah, IA as a preacher’s kid. I have grown up in the church and in ministry my whole life. My wife, Faith, and I got married in May of 2021 and are proud of both our sons James and Matthias. We graduated from Ozark Christian College in December of 2021. I got my BA in student ministry and she got her AA in general ministry. We are super excited God has given us the opportunity to serve at FCC by making disciples and building up our children, youth, worship, and families to live in the freedom of being a follower of Christ.
ASHLEY KELLY
Office Manager
Hi! Ashley Kelly here! I was born and raised in Mattoon, IL. I grew up in an Assemblies of God church and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior as a child. I left Illinois in 2017 to attend Evangel University in Springfield, MO. I met my husband, Caleb, during my first semester of college and we got married on May 3rd, 2020. I graduated with an AA in Business Administration and he graduated with a BS in Computer Science. We decided to move to Atlantic in the Fall of 2021 to be closer to Caleb’s family. We enjoy playing board games with friends and family and hanging out at home with our 5 cats. We began attending FCC in March of 2022 and have loved it since! I am excited to get to know more of the FCC family and see God moving through our church.
MEMBERSHIP
Are you ready to partner with FCC in carrying out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) here in Atlantic? What does that look like? It looks like:
Committing to grow in Jesus using your feet by carrying the Gospel to people around you.
Committing to grow in Jesus using your heart by identifying with Jesus through baptism by immersion.
Committing to grow in Jesus using your head and hands by learning about Jesus and doing what He tells us.
Simple, that's it. Joining FCC is simply committing to grow in Jesus with other people. If you're ready to be a part of the FCC family, fill out the Connection Card and let us know!