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There are 3 primary things we believe we are called to focus on, here at ET – the gospel, family, and discipleship. These are what we value most and are the basis of everything we do. What does that mean?

Being gospel-centered means that everything we do is based on who Jesus is, what He has done, and what it means for us. We believe the gospel isn’t something we start with for salvation then move on to something else but is essential for every aspect of life. Believers need to keep hearing the gospel just as much as those who haven’t heard it at all. Discovering all the ramifications of what Jesus has done will take an eternity, and we believe that every new discovery made is what brings not only salvation, but also continued healing, freedom, and
growth. Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son.” Therefore, we believe that everything God want us to know has been said through Jesus and what He has accomplished. Viewing at the Bible, life, and the world around us from that perspective changes everything.

Being about family has 2 meanings. First, we want to do everything we can to strengthen every individual family unit in this church, no matter what that family may look like. Families are under attack in our culture more than ever, and we want to do everything we can to come alongside each one and help them realize God’s best for them. Second, we also want to do everything we can to help everyone who is a part of ET to feel like they are a part of a family. We don’t want anyone to feel like they are just part of a crowd, but truly part of a family who loves them and is there for them no matter what. Each person in a family has a place they fit and a roll to fill, so we want to help each person realize where their place is in this family. One of the things we say often is, “This church family needs you just as much as you need this church family.”

“Go and make disciples” was the mandate Jesus left us with right before He ascended back to the Father. If that’s what He was about, then that’s what we want to be about. He didn’t tell us to go make crowds but to go make disciples. That means helping each person grow in their faith and spiritual maturity. A disciple is someone who is willing to learn and willing to be known, loved, and held accountable. Discipleship doesn’t happen during Sunday morning corporate worship. It happens in relationships that develop on a deeper level as we do life together outside of regular church gatherings. Our desire is for each person who attends ET to eventually move from an attender, to a disciple, to a disciple-maker. When Jesus was here on earth, He announced the arrival of His Kingdom, demonstrated how it operates, then commissioned us to do the same. We believe God’s kingdom is built one person at a time, through the announcement of the gospel and discipleship. These 3 things we are about serve as the meaning behind our motto, ‘Believe, Belong, Build’ – Believe the gospel, Belong to the family, Build the kingdom.

We’re a gospel-centered community that celebrates the life of Jesus. We proclaim his death and we rejoice in his resurrection.

For a more in-depth look at our church’s beliefs, such as the tenets of our faith and spiritual gifts, please visit our beliefs outlined at this link.

ET is an elder-led church, which we believe is the Biblical model for church governance, as evidenced by such texts as Acts 14:23, Acts 20:17, Titus 1:5, I Tim. 4:1, James 5:14, and I Peter 5:1-2.

ET currently has 8 elders, men who serve on 2-year staggered terms. Their role is to make important decisions for the church, establish and protect church doctrine, ensure we are staying focused on our vision and purpose, teach, guide, and shepherd the members. Candidates for elder are nominated by the church members and voted on by the acting elders. Qualifications for elder are based on I Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

We also have deacons, which are men who serve the physical needs of the church body. The office of deacon at ET is one of service, rather than authority, based on the model in Acts 6. Candidates for deacon are nominated by the church members and voted on by the acting elders. Qualifications for deacons are based on I Tim. 3:8-13.

The roles, requirements, and responsibilities of every church office, position, and other
governance can be found in the church by-laws, which are made available to anyone upon
request.