Core Values

New Life Church of Hershey is part of the Brethren in Christ (BIC) family of churches. In 10 concise statements, here are the core values that we share with Brethren in Christ churches around the world.


Experiencing God's Love and Grace


We value the free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.


Believing the Bible


We value the Bible as God's authoritative Word, study it together, and build our lives on its truth.


Worshiping God


We value heartfelt worship that is God-honoring, Spirit-directed, and life-changing.


Following Jesus


We value wholehearted obedience to Christ Jesus through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.


Belonging to the Community of Faith


We value integrity in relationships and mutual accountability in an atmosphere of grace, love, and acceptance.


Witnessing to the World


We value an active and loving witness for Christ to all people.


Serving Compassionately


We value serving others at their point of need, following the example of our Lord Jesus.


Pursuing Peace


We value all human life and promote forgiveness, understanding, reconciliation, and non-violent resolution of conflict.


Living Simply


We value uncluttered lives, which free us to love boldly, give generously, and serve joyfully.


Relying on God


We confess our dependence on God for everything, and seek to deepen our intimacy with Him by living prayerfully.

Faith and Doctrine

As a Brethren in Christ congregation, we adhere to the Articles of Faith and Doctrine of the Brethren in Christ Church. 

The statements below are excerpts taken from this summary statement of our theological beliefs.


About Revelation and Scripture


We believe that it is the nature of God to make Himself known. God reveals Himself to humanity in various ways, most clearly in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. We accept these divinely inspired writings as the authoritative Word of God. (John 1:1-2, 18; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-2, Psalm 24:1-2,11:6)


About God and Creation


The Bible opens with the words, "In the beginning, God created..." This dramatic statement declares God to be the eternal source and foundation of all that is. The Bible proceeds to reveal the person, nature, and character of the triune God who forever is - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1-2; Psalm 24:1-2; Hebrews 11:3)


About Humanity and Sin


God created man and woman in His image. Humans are distinct from all other forms of creation, having spiritual as well as physical characteristics. When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, their nature became sinful. This sinful nature has become an inherent part of the human experience and has separated humanity from God. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7-9, 15-20; 9:1-6; Psalm 8:3-8;; 90:11-16; 139:13-16; Ecclesiastes 12:1-7; Acts 17:26-28)


About Jesus Christ


Jesus Christ, God the Son, is a distinct person of the Trinity, in perfect equality and unity with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He was God incarnate - God in the flesh - and lived on earth as a man, fully human yet without sin. By His suffering and sacrificial death for us, Jesus Christ provided complete atonement for sin. The bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead after three days testifies decisively of His deity and His victory over sin and death.  The risen Christ ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for us. At the end of time, all things in heaven and earth will be brought under His rule. Every person will bow before Him and He will reign forever. (Ephesians 1:3-154; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 1:1-3)


About Salvation


Salvation is graciously provided by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The response of faith is a personal reliance on God's grace and a turning from sin to righteousness. All who come to faith in Christ are born again, receive the Holy Spirit, become children of God,and receive the assurance of eternal life. (Luke 3:7-9; 5:31-32; 18:9-14; John 3:1-17, 16:5-15)


About the Holy Spirit


The Holy Spirit is a living person who eternally coexists with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit works in the world, convincing persons of sin and bringing them to repentance and faith, guiding them to fullness of life in Christ. He helps the children of God in their need, cleanses and sets them apart for holy living, and empowers them for service. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all believers according to His sovereign will and purposes, given for the building up of the church and for ministry in the world. (Genesis 1:2; John 3:34; 14:16-17; 15:26; Acts 2; 10:38; Hebrews 9:14)


About the Church


Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ established the church to be God's new community. Jesus Christ is the head of the church, the redeemed community. His word and will are authoritative among us. The church consists of all those who trust Jesus Christ as Savior and follow Him as Lord. The ordinances of the church are baptism and communion, which are to be observed in obedience to our Lord's command. (Acts 2:41-47; 15; Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11; Philippians 2:2-16)


About Eternal Hope and Judgment


The final destiny of all things lies in God's hands. In God's time, creation will be renewed in Christ. The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord and He shall reign forever. God will judge righteously at the close of the age. Those who have trusted Him and obediently followed Jesus as Lord will live eternally in His presence in heaven. Those who have not trusted Him will be eternally shut out from the presence of God in hell. (Psalm 110:1, Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 1:19-20; Revelation 11:15)