To Be a Gospel-Shaped Community
In and For the City
Gospel-Centered
To the transforming work of the Gospel: We resolve to be a church that proclaims and relies on the full counsel of God’s redemptive message of sovereign grace revealed to us in the finished work of Jesus Christ. This Gospel of good news enables us through the power of the Holy Spirit to live a new, special relationship with God.
Neighborhood-Community
To loving others: The Gospel compels us to love one another because God, who first loved us in Jesus Christ, has given us the ability to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Gospel therefore creates a new unified community whereby all human barriers and social problems are eradicated through Christ’s work of reconciliation.
City-Vision
To the Gospel changing our attitude towards the city: As a church we humbly work to bring all aspects of individual and corporate life under the rule of Christ – not by standing against the city, but as agents of God for the city and its welfare.
Multi-Ethnic
To the diversity of God’s people: We desire to establish a church that reflects the unified ethnic diversity of God’s people in both our leadership and congregation.
Mission-Minded
To be a sending and multiplying church: Our desire is to facilitate a church planting movement in Chicago and throughout the world.
Prayer
Prayer is more than just talking to God (although it certainly is that). Ultimately, prayer is about dependence upon God. We pray to confess that we need God. We pray to acknowledge Him alone as God. Prayer is a core value of EBC because we know that our vision and values can only be impacted if God’s sovereign hand and blessing is upon us. We pray because we know that only God can make our church and our city healthy. We walk by faith and in prayer. God accomplishes the work.