About Us
At Maranatha Bible Church, we value connection and community. Our teachings are built around connecting people to each other and to God.
We are a welcoming church that encourages people to come and share in the love of Jesus. Come join our community and grow in your faith alongside others who have the same beliefs and values.
Our Purpose
We are committed to living out the values of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to love God, love others, and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Worship God
We are called to continually worship God as a function of our daily lives (Romans 12:1-2). We also are committed to gathering each week in the company of other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25) to make a joyful noise to the Lord (Psalm 98:4).
Love Others
We are devoted to one another and committed to loving each other sacrificially and unconditionally (John 13:35). Jesus teaches us to have that same love for our neighbors (Mark 12:31) and even for those who oppose us (Matthew 5:44).
Serve Joyfully
Each disciple of Jesus is called to exercise their gifting for the betterment of the Church and the advancement of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We are also commanded to care for and serve our community (Jeremiah 29:7) and are committed to doing so in truth and love.
Share Christ
Our lives should reflect the grace God has given us in Jesus, as such we are committed to sharing the Gospel, in both word and deed, everywhere we go (Matthew 28: 16-20).
Worship God
We are called to continually worship God as a function of our daily lives (Romans 12:1-2). We also are committed to gathering each week in the company of other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25) to make a joyful noise to the Lord (Psalm 98:4).
Love Others
We are devoted to one another and committed to loving each other sacrificially and unconditionally (John 13:35). Jesus teaches us to have that same love for our neighbors (Mark 12:31) and even for those who oppose us (Matthew 5:44).
Serve Joyfully
Each disciple of Jesus is called to exercise their gifting for the betterment of the Church and the advancement of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We are also commanded to care for and serve our community (Jeremiah 29:7) and are committed to doing so in truth and love.
Share Christ
Our lives should reflect the grace God has given us in Jesus, as such we are committed to sharing the Gospel, in both word and deed, everywhere we go (Matthew 28: 16-20).
Our Beliefs
We invite you to explore our beliefs and join us in our pursuit of living out our faith in boldness and passion.
The Bible
The Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice (Matthew 5:18; 2nd Timothy 3:16-17; 2nd Peter 1:21; John 17:17).
The Trinity
In one God eternally existing in three equal persons – Father, Son & Holy Spirit – who have the same nature and attributes, but who are distinct in office and activity (Matthew 28:19; 2nd Corinthians 13:14).
God
God the Father is the Creator of all things, and that in His nature He is, among other things, completely holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipresent, eternal, just and loving (Psalm 139:1-18; Acts 17:29; 1st John 1:5).
Jesus
The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God became man without ceasing to be God, accomplished our redemption through His sacrificial death on the cross, and literally, physically, rose from the dead (John 1:1, 14, 18; Romans 3:24-26).
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the person of the Godhead who leads, instructs, and fills believers as they yield to Him (John 14:16-17; 16:7-11).
Salvation
Every person is lost in sin apart from Jesus Christ and in need of a Savior. We believe that salvation is a gift of God received when someone is justified by grace, through faith in Christ (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:3-10).
The Return
In the blessed hope which is the personal, imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to resurrect and to receive to Himself all those who belong to Him (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Our Story
Maranatha Bible Church began meeting just over 40 years ago. Back in those early years, we were known as “The Church of the Carry It All In” as we met in the basement of a bank and a school gymnasium. Right from the beginning we were a church that wanted to be faithful to preaching the Word of God and carrying out God’s call to make disciples, and teaching them to obey all that He has taught us.
No doubt God has been with us and blessed us throughout this journey as over the years we have grown in ministries, baptisms, small groups, staff, and facilities. Numerous lives have been transformed by the power of the Gospel, and we continue to send people into full-time ministry or the mission field all over the world.
Most recently our journey has included out-growing our second church building and moving out of a residential area into downtown Cedar Rapids, where God has given us a heart to serve those in our surrounding neighborhood. Whether it be those in the city, in our own neighborhoods & families, or those we work with, as a church we are passionate about wanting others to know Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.
We are inexpressibly grateful for all that the Lord has done and continues to do among us!
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