A dual Emphasis on Word and Spirit. We are committed both to living by God's Word and living in His Spirit. We attempt to balance the unchanging message of Scripture with the spontaneous manifestations of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This ministry of Jesus and his followers in the New Testament combined "word and deed." Because we believe this witness of Scripture, we seek in our day an increased revelation of God's authority and grace through Signs and Wonders so that the sick are healed, those gripped by demonic bondage are set free, and the proclamation of good news is accompanied by demonstrations of God's power. As in the beginning in Eden, God creates all things through the combined power of His Word and His Spirit (Gen. 1-2).

Unity in Diversity. Diversity comes together in unity at the cross of Jesus. Walls of division, hatred, fear, racism and sexism are broken down. We are committed to be a community of reconciliation, bringing together people of all ages:

•from different ethnic, social, economic and education backgrounds
•from different streams of Christian faith
•and with diverse spiritual gifts
To worship God together, love each other and serve Christ with teamwork emphasis without distinction to gender.

A Multi-Generational Church where each Generation Serves the Other. The ministry to young people and children, those most at risk in our society, is given a high priority in our church. In the many nontraditional approaches we take, our purpose is to effectively appeal to young people. This gives the mature in our church a special call and purpose from God: to transform the lives of a fatherless generation by becoming fathers and mothers, mentors and friends, representing the Father's love. We desire to nurture children and young people who know Jesus' love for them, growing together as a community of friends, and are committed to impact their world with God's love and power. In turn, we express honor and respect for those older than ourselves, and seek to utilize our gifts and abilities to bless them. At the Garden, the Lord "will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers" (Malachi 4:6)

The Redemption of the Arts for worship and evangelism. It is our desire to recapture creativity for the kingdom of God. In our worship and life together as a community, and in sharing our hope and faith with others, we believe that music, drama, dance, creative writing, film making and all aspects of art are an important way we express our hearts and the message of the gospel. When we dedicate our God-given talents to God's glory, continually developing our ideas and abilities, God transforms human creativity into divine activity. Arts and artists for so long alienated from the Church and captured by Satan, are being redeemed for a central role in the Kingdom of God. At the Garden of the Lord there is dancing, shouts of joy, and new songs and sounds of worship (Isaiah 51:3, Jeremiah 31:12-14, Psalm 149).

Relaxed Excellence. A heart and mindset of excellence, in a relaxed presentation. We do our best to plan well, communicate clearly and accomplish all things in service to Christ with an aim toward excellence. There is no substitute for disciplined planning and hard work that results in a sustained and effective implementation of God-given ideas. Yet for many, traditional formalities have been a barrier to accepting the gospel and growing in Christ. Therefore, we choose a "relaxed presentation": of ourselves even while pursuing excellence. We downplay titles altogether and seek to exercise any authority with gentleness. We stress our humanity even while confident of "who we are in Christ." We reduce a focus on formal or informal dress, allowing people to wear (within the limits of modesty) that which enables them best to focus on God, and work and worship with excellence. Finally, we try to approach faith and theology using everyday language and in a non-religious manner. The Garden is a place of peace and rest. (Matt 11:28-30)

Giving with Joy: Obedience without Manipulation. All support is received through an offering box as members listen to God and obey Him faithfully giving their tithes (the first 10% of your income) and freewill offerings (giving above your tithe to specific ministry areas or outreaches). Believing that "what God ordains, He supports," we have been led to never take up an offering for our operational expenses or make a pressurized plea for money to support the church. GCC has never lacked for anything needed and only spends according to available assets. The seeds sown in the Garden with joy will return a bountiful harvest of blessing (Matt 6:33, Deuteronomy 15:4-6, Malachi 3:8-12, Luke 6:38).

Prayer and the Prophetic Voice. We seek to be a people of prayer and a nurturing home to emerging prophetic ministries. This local church believes it is called to be "a house of prayer for all nations" (Isaiah 56:7). Learning to listen to God and sharing what we hear is also a special emphasis of our life together, and for which we provide pastoral support and accountability. The Garden is a place of prayer, intercession and the revelation of the Father's will (Mark 14:32-36).

A House of Healing. Healing is a sign of the presence of the Kingdom, and a promise, in part, of the complete wholeness yet to come. We are committed to grow in effectiveness in praying for the sick to be healed and those in bondage to be set free. We value the ministries which help believers experience an increasing freedom from false concepts, negative feelings or spiritual bondage that can hinder us from fully experiencing our inheritance as children of God. The Garden restored has healing trees (Rev 22:2).

Renewal and Revival. We commit ourselves with Biblical balance to seek and respond to the movement of the Spirit in our time. God desires to increase both the manifestation of His presence and His power to the world through a revitalized Church. No matter the manner God chooses to initiate renewal, or the varied ways individuals respond to God's presence, we believe the fruit of Biblical renewal will result in the central purpose of the Church (knowing Jesus and bringing Him glory through evangelism, love, service, unity, holiness and maturity) being fulfilled in increasing measure. The Beloved longs to dwell in his Garden (Song of Solomon 4:15-16).