Reaching the community with the transformative power of the gospel
Together in Christ. Changing Lives.
What We Stand For
Statement of Baptist Principles
Church
The Church as the whole company of those who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The local church, being a manifestation of the universal church, is a community of believers in a particular place where the Word of God is preached and the ordinances of Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are observed. It is fully autonomous and remains so notwithstanding responsibilities it may accept by voluntary association.
Believer's Baptism
Believer’s Baptism is an act of obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ and a sign of personal repentance, faith and regeneration; it consists of the immersion in water into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Congregational Principle
The Congregational Principle, namely that each member has the privilege and responsibility to use his/her gifts and abilities to participate fully in the life of the church. We recognize that God gifts His Church with Overseer’s (who are called Pastors or Elders) whose primary function is to lead in a spirit of servanthood, to equip and provide spiritual oversight, and Deacons whose primary function is to facilitate the smooth functioning of the Church. This principle further recognises that each member should participate in the appointment of the church’s leaders, and that a constituted church meeting, subject to the direct Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture, is the highest court of authority for the local church.
Priesthood of All Believers
The priesthood of all believers, by which we understand that each Christian has direct access to God through Christ our High Priest, and shared with Him in His work of reconciliation. This involves intercession, worship, faithful service and bearing witness to Jesus Christ even to the ends of the earth
Religious Liberty
The principle of Religious Liberty, namely, that no individual should be coerced either by the State or by any secular, ecclesiastical or religious group in matters of faith. The right of private conscience is to be respected. For each believer this means the right to interpret the Scriptures responsibly and to act in the light of his conscience.
Separation of Church and State
The principle of Separation of Church and State in that, in the providence of God the two differ in their respective natures and functions. The Church is not to be identified with the State nor is it, in its faith or practice, to be directed or controlled by the State. The State is responsible for administering justice, ensuring an orderly community, and promoting the welfare of its citizens. The Church is responsible for preaching the Gospel and for demonstrating and making known God’s will and care for all mankind.
Additionally
Any change to be made, shall not be of force and effect until details thereof shall have been conveyed in writing to the General Secretary of the Baptist Union. It is recognised and accepted that the BU shall have the right, in the light of such change, to terminate the membership of the church, with the BU. The implications of such a termination are recognised and viewed in the light of the provisions of Article 2.2 of the church constitution. The Article may not be deleted or amended without approval of the Executive of the BU.
That God has ordained marriage as a heterosexual relationship between a natural man and a natural woman.
Any change within the Church structure or organisation which is in conflict directly or indirectly with one or more of the stated Baptist Principles will be invalid unless approved by at least 90% of the members present and entitled to vote at a duly constituted Special Church meeting of which at least three month’s notice has been given.
01.
— Our Mission
at Ridgecrest Family Church is to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ who grow in love, truth, and service. We are a welcoming, multi-generational church family committed to sharing the gospel, nurturing young families, building Christ-centered community, and equipping believers to live out their faith with purpose; at home, in our neighbourhoods, and to the ends of the earth.
02.
— Our Vision
is to be a vibrant and growing family of believers where lives are transformed by the gospel, families are strengthened by grace, and every person is equipped to grow in faith and live on mission. We see a church where discipleship is relational and intentional, where the next generation is nurtured in Christ, and where our community sees the love of Jesus in both our words and our works.
03.
— Our Story
In 2002, while serving at Florida Baptist Church, Norman and Gabi Schaeffer noticed rapid housing growth along Hendrik Potgieter Road. Sensing a spiritual prompting, they began praying about planting a church to serve the growing community. Trusting God’s timing, they eventually found a piece of land overlooking the valley; an answer to prayer and the beginning of what would become Ridgecrest Family Church.
What We Believe
Gospel
We believe that the gospel is the central truth of the Bible, the foundation of our faith, and the fuel for the Christian life. The gospel is the good news that while we were dead in our sin, God sent His son Jesus to live a perfect life on our behalf, die a substitutionary death to pay the penalty for our sin, and rise again from the grave to offer us new life in His Spirit.
Acts 2:22 and 39/ Galatians 3:13/ 1 Corinthians 15:3–15/ 1 Corinthians 8/ 2 Corinthians 5:21
God
We believe that God is the Creator of everything and that He exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:4/ Isaiah 64:8/ Matthew 3:16–17/ Matthew 28:19/ John 16:7–15/ Hebrews 1:2–3
Scripture
We believe the Bible to be God’s Word, a true and fully accurate account of God’s love for us. Its purpose is to teach us how to have a relationship with Him, worship Him, and bring Him glory.
Psalm 19:7–10/ 2 Timothy 3:15–17/ 2 Peter 1:19–2
Humanity
We believe that God created us in His image to worship Him and give Him glory. This is true of both men and women, who are equal and complementary partners in God’s mission and reflect his beauty, goodness, and creativity.
Genesis 1:26–27/ Genesis 2:18/ Isaiah 43:7/ Psalm 96:9/ Matthew 4:10/ Galatians 3:28/ 1 Timothy 2:11–15
Sin and Salvation
We believe that sin has kept us from knowing God and worshiping Him, but that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin, was physically resurrected, and now offers a restored relationship with God as a free gift to all who believe in Him.
John 3:16/ Acts 2:22–39/ Romans 3:21–24
Church
We believe that the church is the body of Christ on earth and a movement of disciple-making disciples. As such, every believer should be identified with a local church for the purpose of mutual encouragement, spiritual growth, and accountability.
1 Corinthians 12:12–31/ Ephesians 4:11–16/ Colossians 1:18–20/ Colossians 3:12–25/ 1 Peter 2:9/ Hebrews 10:24–25
Discipleship
We believe that all disciples should continually grow as (1) worshipers, knowing, loving, and obeying God above all else; (2) family members, committed to our aspiring multiethnic family; (3) servants, gladly giving of themselves for the good of others; (4) stewards, managing God’s gifts for God’s purposes; and (5) witnesses, proclaiming Christ in word and deed.
Deuteronomy 6:5/ Matthew 4:19/ Matthew 12:46–48/ Matthew 28:18–20/ Philippians 2:5–7/ 1 Peter 4:10
Baptism
We believe that baptism by immersion is a church ordinance that represents a person’s first public act of confession, repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
Matthew 3:6/ Matthew 13–17/ Acts 2:38-41/ Acts 22:16/ Romans 6:4–11/ 1 Peter 3:21
Deacons and Elders
We believe that Jesus ordained two distinct offices within the local church: (1) Deacons are a group of qualified men and women who serve the church in practical ways, often by caring for church members with physical needs; (2) Elders—also called “pastors” or “overseers”—are a group of qualified men who bear a special responsibility to preach the Word and protect the church from false teaching.
Romans 16:1/ 1 Timothy 3:1–7/ Titus 1:6–9/ 1 Peter 5:1–5
Mission
We believe that God cares about the needs of all people and that the church, as Christ’s body, is to show His love and care for others. Every member of the church is sent out by Jesus as a minister of the gospel, declaring the love of Christ with our lips and demonstrating the love of Christ with our lives—not only in our communities but also to the farthest and most unreached places of the world.
Isaiah 49:6/ Matthew 28:18–20/ Romans 10:13–15/ 1 Timothy 2:3–4
