Foundations
History of Redeemer Church - Redeemer Presbyterian Church started in 1982, the result of a desire to make God's name great among the nations (Malachi 1:11). A dozen young families, singles and students started meeting together to work and pray for the formation of a church that would later become a part of the Presbyterian Church in America denomination officially in 1984. In 1988, we moved into our current meeting place, the former Ardmore Elementary School, where God has blessed us more than we could have asked or imagined. As we have expanded, we have deliberately tried to remain small and geographically based by starting three daughter churches; Hope, Grace and New Hope, a k-8 school (Redeemer School), and sending out several church planters; one near UNCG, one in the Northwest Suburbs of Greensboro and one in Richmond Virginia. In addition to these three, we have recently sent out a new group of households to plant a new church on the Southside of Winston Salem, launched a 5PM service at Redeemer, and are exploring possible church plant(s) in the Yadkinville / Davidson County Area .
Ultimately It is our desire to see a city and region wide network of neighborhood based churches that impact those around them with the gospel where they live, work and play. As a missional (missions & mercy in the context of nurture) oriented church, we are always interested in moving the gospel out from ourselves to others. Not only are we involved in numerous local ministries, but also in sending out short and long-term mission teams both in the states and abroad. We love to celebrate Christ and look to Him to see how He wants us to move next. (A more detailed history can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.)
Our Denomination - Formed in 1973, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is a 'young' denomination. Its vision to take the Reformation into the 21st century, encourages us to continue to be "true to the Scriptures, the Reformed Faith and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ." God has been faithful in fulfilling His promises in the ways He has blessed the work of our denomination, increasing to over 1200 congregations and 233,000 members across North America, and is represented by over 600 foreign missionaries in more than sixty countries internationally. Redeemer shares the PCA vision and supports its activities to take the gospel to our neighbors and to all the nations.
Our Mission Statement - Because God has shown us mercy when we deserve wrath, we intend by His grace to advance the kingdom of God throughout the Triad area and all the nations by creating a network of congregations and by nurturing and equipping a people through worship, faith and repentance, education, service and prayer who are committed to living lives worthy of the gospel.
Gospel Priorities: There are seven cornerstone values that we hold to as a congregation:
- Worship - God, as He has revealed Himself in the Bible, deserves our praise and worship.
The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. So, the central activity in the life of the church and its outreach is the worship of God. Jesus said that God is seeking worshippers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. This activity and disposition precedes everything else. Evangelism is an invitation to come and see the deeds of the Lord and give Him the praise, honor, glory and power that are His due.
- Faith and Repentance - The atonement of Jesus described in the gospel has daily value for the people of God.
A wise pastor/theologian once wrote: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent', He willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance." There is always need for faith and repentance for the individual believer because the people of God remain sinners; there is always grace and mercy available for repenters because of the inexhaustible supply of the love of God that flows from the death and resurrection of Jesus.
- The Gospel - The Gospel has the power to change anyone.
The Apostle Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." As people continue to repent and believe, they can never give up hope in their own progress in the faith because of the power of God in the gospel. Neither do they lose hope in other sinners' being changed by the power of God in the gospel. These convictions produce bold evangelism, new conversion, and renewal.
- Education - God has spoken and His people should pay most close attention to what He has said.
Because we realize that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and because we are suspicious of our own inclinations and imaginings concerning the kingdom of God, we intend to study the Bible carefully and repeatedly so that we would be equipped for these endeavors.
- Service - As the gospel weaves its way into the lives of the people of God, they are propelled outward with good news and with deeds of love and mercy. Those who have learned to praise the Lord cannot help but praise Him before the nations, inviting others to this exquisite delight and privilege. They also cannot help but have their hearts broken for the poor, desiring and working to see the healing power of the kingdom of God bring peace and justice to the downtrodden. They also seek to bring to bear the truth of God into every life context and situation so that the culture is renewed under its Creator.
- Prayer - We must prepare and sustain everything we do with prayer.
Recognizing our weakness, we are dependent on prayer as an essential means of staying faithful to God. We desire to take advantage of His powerful means by which we can call down God's blessings for His people and for the lost; so that God would be glorified in all we do.
- To the Ends of the Earth - The Ends of the Earth are our Mindset and Horizon. Our desire is that we not restrict ourselves in our vision to this one congregation, but rather that we see ourselves as part of God's movement as He works in many churches covering our region. In this we endeavor to make God's far-reaching causes and purposes our own. We intend for this regional enterprise to impact the ends of the earth.
