We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25.) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, self-gratification, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.)
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Hope Bible Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Hope Bible Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Hope Bible Church in any capacity, its members, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22.)
Because God has given each person their biological sex, we will use our church facilities (property, rented facilities and all other ministry locations) in accordance with His gender design. This means that all persons using our gender-based accommodations (e.g. restrooms) must do so according to their biological sex.
Because God has ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman, and Himself, Hope Bible Church will only recognize marriages between a biological man and a biological woman. Further, the elders, pastors and staff of Hope Bible Church shall only participate in weddings and solemnize marriages between one man and one woman. Finally, because the blessing of a marriage is a worship service to the Lord, the facilities and property of Hope Bible Church shall only host weddings between one man and one woman.
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11.)
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Hope Bible Church.