About Us
Our Vision & Values
We know we’re all on a faith journey. Being a Christian isn’t easy, and it isn’t done in a day. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, the journey begins. None of us are perfect — but with Christ in our lives we are being perfected every day. That’s the nature of the journey.
The Vision
“We open our hearts to embrace one another and link together for the kingdom.”
In walking our faith out, we need sign-posts that tell us where we are and how we’re doing. Our vision captures that in three steps — Open, Embrace, and Link.
A Look Inside Our Hearts
Our unique language: Open, Embrace, Link.
We believe SOZO is walked out by being open to experiencing God, embracing Him in every area of your life, and linking together with others to walk and to work in the kingdom of God.
If you come worship with us, you’ll hear us talk about Open, Embrace, Link as the process we all go through in coming closer to God — and coming closer to one another.
Why does “closeness” matter? Because our God is also our heavenly Father — He is there to help us through any challenge, to love us through any sin, and to know us so we can know ourselves.
Church Values
What shapes us.
Spirit led
The Holy Spirit is in the Earth today to lead us into the wisdom of God, and guide every step of our lives.
Bible based
The Bible is the inerrant Word of God and the foundation of what we believe and what we teach.
Family friendly
The family is the foundation not only of the kingdom but of the ability of Christians to become mature.
Preference free
God is not a respecter of persons. He does not favor one group over another — whatever their backgrounds.
Independent
Christ is the head of the Church, and each church is given a unique role and purpose in His overall plan.
Team based, body oriented
Each member is a vital part of the ability of the local church to achieve its mission.
Generational
Each generation has something to give to the next and receive from the last.
Leadership Values
How our leaders lead.
Authentic faith (Luke 2:52)
Our walk with God is both our experience and our reality. We use our faith to establish our unique voice and to encourage others in their walk with God.
Open hearts & minds (1 Cor 6:11)
We relate to others like Jesus would, welcoming and accepting them as they are and allowing God to mold them into what He wants.
Relationships first (2 Cor 5:16)
Our goal is to know and to be known as scripture instructs, so that we can grow in relationship with God and with other people.
Responsible & accountable (Eph 4:14–16)
We are active members of the body, accepting our call to build the kingdom and the local church — holding ourselves to a high standard in walking that mission out.
God-grounded (2 Tim 3:16–17)
We have a sober appreciation for knowledge & scripture, pursuing it regularly and sharing it with one another so that we continue to grow.
Kingdom-minded (1 Thess 1:5–6)
We serve as ambassadors of God, knowing that we are living examples to others of what that kingdom is about and how they can grow in it.
Embrace vision & passion (Hab 2:1–3)
Always look forward with great expectations, positive words, and an unwillingness to simply go with the flow. God’s passion fills us — and we let it flow out onto others.