Why We Exist

A Town Square Church

A lot of different church models exist – from “KJV-only” churches to house churches to mega-churches to multi-site churches to church planting movements and micro churches. Some churches are coffee shops first and churches second. Other churches might seem more like thrift stores or employment offices. Really, it all depends on how each church has been led by God to serve their community.

As an interdenominational church that’s been a fixture in our community for over 40 years we feel uniquely positioned to function as something of a town square church. To this day, throughout many European cities – one will find a church at a town’s most central location – the public square. These churches shaped culture, championed truth, and were life centers for the city. A town square church replaced the pagan temples that defined each Roman City and reshaped those cities for the glory of God and to the wellbeing and benefit of that city.

Similarly, we want April Sound Church to:

• champion historic biblical Christianity

• to be a gathering place for believers in our area

• to reach out to the community in times of crisis (Hurricanes, power outages, etc) and times of celebration  (Fall Fest, Advent Fest, Easter Sunday, etc)

• and to shape the culture of our community for the glory of God.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

We are both, an interdenominational church and passionately Christ-centered. Scripture makes it clear that He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Whether you’re Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, nondenominational, or something else – Jesus is God the Son, fully human, fully God, Savior, Messiah, and Lord.

Love God

(Faith & Intimacy)

The Great Commandment

Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37)

When Jesus is asked what the most important commandment is, his answer is that love for God is the most important objective that we can give ourselves to. He quotes the Shema, an ancient Jewish prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

As the Westminster Catechism states, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. You and I were made for intimacy with God and that intimacy is the greatest pursuit of our lives. As a church, we’re committed to taking individual ownership of our faith and loving God with all we’ve got.

Grow Together

(Discipleship & Community)

The Great Community

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

This verse provides the foundation for what’s sometimes referred to as the “marks of the Church.” These three marks are: (1) The pure preaching of the Word of God (devoted themselves to the Apostle’s teaching), (2) The due administration of the sacraments (Breaking of Bread & Prayer), and (3) Community Rightly Ordered (to fellowship). They can also be expressed more simply: Word, Worship, and Community.

Be The Church

(Ministry & Mission)

The Great Commission

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

While the church can do many things that secular organizations can do (care for the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc) there is one thing the church can do that no one else can do: share the gospel of Jesus Christ for salvation from sin and death. As long as we exist, we will continue to do what only the Church can do!