What We Believe

Welcome to <br>Varnell Church

Welcome to
Varnell Church

We are a Global Methodist Community on mission in the North Georgia mountains. We are a movement of God with a foundation of strong Biblical Wesleyan theology. We exist to glorify God by answering His call through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. God’s great commission to us to make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded us.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we seek to flourish in our pursuit of scriptural holiness as we worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly. All of this is grounded in the power of prayer as we seek the wisdom and counsel of God; trusting that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us and through us.

Core Beliefs

We believe in one God, who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is holy, loving, and just, desiring a personal relationship with all people (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 3:16).

We believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word, revealing His will for salvation and providing the ultimate authority for our faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12).

We believe that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, offered freely to all through faith in Jesus Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has reconciled us to God, offering forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; Romans 5:8-10).

We believe the Holy Spirit works within us to transform our hearts and empower us to live holy lives. The Spirit equips us for ministry, strengthens our faith, and assures us of God’s presence (John 14:26; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 5:22-23).

Our Wesleyan Heritage

As part of the Global Methodist Church, we affirm the teachings of John Wesley, emphasizing:

The Grace of God

We celebrate prevenient grace, justifying grace, and sanctifying grace as God’s loving action in our lives, drawing us closer to Him (Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Titus 2:11-12).

Holiness of Heart and Life

We believe that God calls us to grow in love for Him and others, striving for holiness in every aspect of our lives (Matthew 22:37-39; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Corinthians 7:1).

Practical Faith

Our faith is active, demonstrated through service, acts of mercy, and works of justice in our community and beyond (James 2:14-17; Micah 6:8; Matthew 25:35-40).

<h3 style="font-size: 28px;">The Church and Sacraments</h3>

The Church and Sacraments

The Church
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, called to worship, grow in faith, and serve the world. We are united by the Holy Spirit and sent into the world to share the good news of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Matthew 5:14-16).

The Sacraments
We celebrate two sacraments:
  • Baptism: The sign of God’s covenant with His people, marking the beginning of our journey of faith (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 2:38).
  • Holy Communion: A means of grace through which we experience Christ’s presence and remember His sacrifice for us (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
<h3 style="font-size: 28px;">Our Mission and&nbsp;Vision

Our Mission and Vision

At Varnell Church we are passionate about making disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly. We believe God has called us to be a light in our community, offering hope, healing, and transformation in His name (Matthew 28:18-20; John 13:34-35; Acts 1:8).

<h3 style="font-size: 28px;">Our Global Connection

Our Global Connection

As part of the Global Methodist Church, we are connected to a worldwide family of believers, committed to Scriptural faithfulness, and making disciples across the globe. Together, we support missions, ministries, and outreach initiatives to bring the gospel to all nations (Matthew 24:14; Romans 10:13-15; Revelation 7:9).

Our Beliefs at Varnell Church

At Varnell Church, a congregation of the Global Methodist Church, we stand firmly on the foundation of God’s Word and the transformative power of His grace. Rooted in Wesleyan theology, we affirm the following beliefs about God, humanity, the Bible, the Christian life, the Church, prayer, and the sacraments.

We believe in one almighty God who is the Creator and Ruler of the universe (Genesis 1:1). God exists eternally in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). While each Person of the Trinity is distinct, they are equal in power, glory, and essence (John 10:30).

We believe in God the Father, the Creator of heaven and earth (Psalm 24:1). God is sovereign, ruling over all creation, and is the source of all life, goodness, and truth (Isaiah 45:12). We affirm that God is loving, and through His grace, He desires all people to come to a saving knowledge of Him (1 Timothy 2:4).

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully divine and fully human (John 1:1-14). He was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross for the sins of the world (John 3:16; 1 Peter 2:22). On the third day, He rose from the dead, securing victory over sin and death (Romans 6:9). Jesus ascended into heaven, where He reigns at the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9-11). Through Jesus, we receive forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life (Romans 5:10). As Lord and Savior, He calls us to follow Him as disciples, living in obedience and faith (Matthew 28:19-20).

We believe the Holy Spirit is the presence of God with us (John 14:16-17). The Spirit convicts us of sin (John 16:8), comforts us in times of need (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), and empowers us to live holy and faithful lives (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit illuminates God’s Word (John 14:26), awakens us to God’s will (Romans 8:14), and equips us for ministry and mission in the world (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

We believe that every human being is created in the image of God and is of sacred worth (Genesis 1:26-27). God loves all people unconditionally and calls us to show compassion, kindness, and dignity to everyone (Matthew 22:39).

While God’s creation was originally good, humanity has fallen into sin, which alienates us from God (Romans 3:23). Sin is the willful act of turning away from God and centering our lives on ourselves (Isaiah 53:6). This separation from God is universal—there is no one who has not sinned, except Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23; Hebrews 4:15).

We believe that restoration with God is made possible through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9). By confessing our sins and turning back to God, we receive His grace, mercy, and forgiveness (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is not earned through good works but is a free gift of God’s grace, offered to all who believe in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We believe every person is created in the image of God and therefore possesses sacred worth, dignity, and value. Because God is the Creator of all people, every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age, ability, or social status, is to be treated with respect, compassion, and love. In the Wesleyan tradition, we affirm that God’s grace is at work in the world, drawing all people to Himself and calling every person to repentance, faith, holiness, and new life in Jesus Christ.

We believe every man and woman is created to glorify God. Some glorify God through faithful singleness, and others glorify God through the covenant of marriage. Marriage is ordained by God and intended to be a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. This covenant reflects the faithful, sacrificial love of Jesus Christ for His bride, the Church, and the loving response of the Church to Christ. Therefore, marriage is not merely a social arrangement, but a holy covenant before God, meant to be lived in faithfulness, purity, mutual love, and obedience to His Word.

We believe the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). Written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Scripture reveals God’s will, character, and plan of salvation (2 Peter 1:21). The Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice (Psalm 119:105).

We affirm that the Bible is "useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV). While tradition, reason, and experience help illuminate Scripture, the Bible remains the final authority for all matters of faith and practice (Romans 15:4). Christians are called to study both the Old and New Testaments to grow in knowledge and love of God (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

We believe that salvation is a gift of grace, not something that can be earned (Ephesians 2:8-9). Those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior are called to live lives transformed by the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2). Our goal is to reflect the image of Christ in all we do, growing in holiness through prayer, study of God’s Word, and obedience to His commands (Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

Faith is not only a private matter but must also be lived out in community and in the world (Matthew 5:14-16). Christians are called to be salt and light, embodying God’s love and grace in every aspect of life (Matthew 5:13-16).

We believe the Church is the body of Christ, an extension of His life and ministry in the world (1 Corinthians 12:27). The Church is a community of faith made up of all past, present, and future disciples of Christ—the communion of saints (Ephesians 1:22-23; Hebrews 12:1).

The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world (Matthew 28:19-20). At Varnell Church, we seek to love like Christ so that our lives, our community, and the world are transformed for the glory of God (Matthew 22:37-39; 2 Corinthians 5:20). The Church is called to worship God, nurture faith, and equip believers to serve in their unique callings (Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 4:11-13).

We believe in the power of prayer (James 5:16). Through prayer, we communicate with God, intercede for others (1 Timothy 2:1-2), and align ourselves with His will (Matthew 6:10). While God’s answers to prayer may be “yes,” “no,” or “wait,” we trust that He hears us and works all things for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28). Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life and a means by which God’s love and power are made known (Philippians 4:6-7).

We affirm two sacraments instituted by Christ: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These are outward and visible signs of God’s inward and spiritual grace (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20).

Baptism
We believe baptism is a sign of God’s covenant with His people (Acts 2:38-39). It marks the beginning of our journey as followers of Christ and symbolizes our new life in Him (Romans 6:4). Whether through sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, baptism is God’s act of naming and claiming us as His own (Galatians 3:27). We baptize infants, children, and adults, recognizing that baptism is a one-time sacrament that signifies God’s grace at work in our lives (Acts 16:33; 1 Peter 3:21).

The Lord’s Supper
We believe the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion, is a sacred meal instituted by Jesus (Luke 22:19-20). At Varnell Church, we practice an open table, inviting all who seek a deeper relationship with Christ to partake (Matthew 26:29). As we eat the bread and drink from the cup, we remember Christ’s sacrifice, receive His grace, and are united with Him and one another (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s Supper strengthens our faith and renews our commitment to live as His disciples (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

At Varnell Church

We seek to faithfully live out these beliefs as we grow in love for God and others (Matthew 22:37-39). We invite you to join us in this journey of faith, worship, and service for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).