Beliefs
Who Are We?
We are an imperfect family. At New Hope, you will find real people who are learning together. So, come as you are, but you’ll never stay as you are when you experience God’s grace. We believe everyone, including you, has a next step in their spiritual journey. Let us support you as you take that next step!
A Brief History
Our first Church meeting for New Hope Fellowship was held at the home of Daren Bowen under the leadership of founding pastor Norm Smith in 1994. As the church continued to grow, a permanent location was sought. New Hope has met in a variety of locations in and around Hampstead and Westminster, ranging from senior centers, schools, and armories. For 12 years the church rested and rented at one location – Westminster airpark. In 2010, we left the airpark and began renting space at Carroll Lutheran School. We finally landed in June of 2019 with the purchase of the old Roops Mill property on route 140. Pastor Nick Dunn arrived as the new head pastor in late 2021. Amidst all the moves and changes you might ask “Who is New Hope?” We would tell you that we are an equipping ministry that is all about making Disciples in a healthy church environment.
Statement of Faith
There is One Triune God
There is only one true and living God who is the Creator of the universe. He exists eternally in three Persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Bible is God’s Word
The Bible is God’s written revelation of Himself to mankind divinely given through human authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is entirely true, totally sufficient, and completely authoritative for matters of life and faith.
People Are Created in God’s Image
Human beings are created by God to bear His image. They are the crowning work of His creation worthy of love, dignity, and respect regardless of matters life age, race, gender, or class.
People Are In Need of Redemption
Because of the Fall, the image of God in people is distorted but not lost. All people have disobeyed God willfully through sin; thus inheriting both physical and spiritual death and the need for redemption. All human beings are born with a sin nature and into an environment inclined toward sin. Only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ can they experience salvation.
Jesus is Both Lord and Christ
Jesus is both fully God and fully human. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the Cross as a substitute for mankind, was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will one day return.
Jesus is the Only Way of Salvation
Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and man. No other religion, belief, or person can reconcile God and man. He alone can provide forgiveness and eternal salvation.
Salvation is by Faith Alone
Salvation comes only through a faith relationship with Jesus Christ. When a person repents of sin, they receive Christ’s forgiveness and eternal life instantaneously. This is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, not on the basis of human works. All the redeemed are secured in Christ forever.
The Church is Christ’s Body
The Holy Spirit immediately places all people who put their faith in Jesus Christ into one united spiritual body, the Church, of which Christ is the head.
Jesus Christ Will Return
God will bring the world to its appropriate end in His own time and in His own way. At that time, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth. He will judge both the saved and unsaved. Those who have trusted Christ will receive a glorified body and dwell forever with the Lord. Those who have not trusted in Christ will spend eternity in hell, the place of everlasting punishment.