Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision
Sunshine Open Bible Church exists to be a prayer-centered, Spirit-empowered family of believers who are deeply rooted in Biblical truth and driven by a heart for missions. Through teaching, worship, and outreach, we seek to lead others into a genuine relationship with Jesus and to make His love known in our community and around the world.
Our Mission
Our vision is to be a beacon of hope and transformation in Des Moines, a place where all people can experience the love and truth of Jesus. As a united family of believers, we are dedicated to growing in faith through prayer, sharing the gospel globally and locally, worshiping in the Spirit, and living out the values of the early church. We strive to create a community that reflects God’s kingdom, where lives are changed, hearts are healed, and people are empowered to serve.
Our Core Values
A House of Prayer
We are dedicated to being a house of prayer for all people, believing that prayer draws us closer to God, aligns our hearts with His purpose, and ignites transformation in our lives and community.
(Isaiah 56:7)
Teach Biblical Truth
We uphold the Bible as the infallible word of God, teaching its truth to inspire, guide, and equip every believer to live a life that reflects Jesus. Scripture is the foundation for our beliefs and actions.
(Psalm 119:97; Hebrews 4:12; Romans 10:17)
Missions Minded
We are called to go into all the world, sharing the love and message of Jesus. Our heart for missions drives us to serve both locally and globally, making disciples and reaching people with the gospel.
(Matthew 28:19)
Holy Spirit Empowered
We rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide, equip, and empower us in every aspect of our faith, including worship. Spirit-filled worship allows us to encounter God deeply and to express our devotion fully.
(Acts 1:8; John 4:23-24)
Family of Believers
We are a family rooted in the love of Jesus, committed to supporting, encouraging, and growing together in faith. As a church, we foster authentic relationships, generosity, and unity, mirroring the early church's example.
(Acts 2:42-47)
What We Believe
The Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the only infallible guide and rule of our faith and practice.
Scripture: Psalm 119:89; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
God
We believe there is one God. In the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and attribute, fulfilling distinct but complementary roles in the great work of redemption.
(Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 5:7.)
God The Father
We believe in God the Father, the co-Creator with the Son and the Holy Spirit, who is the eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere-present, and unchangeable Creator of all.
(Deuteronomy 32:6; Psalms 103:13; Isaiah 63:16; Matthew 6:9; John 1:3, 5:19-23, 17:1-11; Acts 17:28; Romans 8:14-16; Ephesians 4:6.)
God The Son
We believe in God the Son, co-Creator with the Father and Holy Spirit, who took upon Himself human form, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and given the name Jesus. His death by crucifixion and His bodily resurrection provided the means for people to be reconciled to God. He ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
(Isaiah 53:1-5; Matthew 1:21-23; John 1:1-3, 11:25-26; Ephesians 1:20-23; Philippians 2:1-6; 1 Timothy 2:5.)
God The Holy Spirit
We believe in God the Holy Spirit, co-Creator with the Father and Son, who is now sent by the Father through the Son to convict the world of sin, lead us into all truth, and empower and equip the Church to carry on Christ's work on earth.
(Genesis 1:2; John 14:26, 15:26, 16:8; Acts 1:8.)
The Fall Of Mankind
We believe the human race is fallen from its original, created goodness because of the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
(Genesis 1:27, 3:1-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10, 3:23, 5:12, 5:19.)
The Plan Of Redemption
We believe Jesus Christ was the sacrifice God planned from the foundation of the world for the sin of the human race. By shedding His blood and dying on the cross, Jesus made provision for the salvation of all people.
(Isaiah 53:5; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:19-20.)
Salvation
We believe, because of our total inability to save ourselves, salvation is by God's grace alone. It is received by faith with repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
(John 3:3, 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:24.)
Water Baptism
We believe water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is an outward sign of an inward work and is commanded by God following conversion.
(Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4.)
Communion
We believe in partaking of the bread and the cup of communion in remembrance of the Lord's death, burial, and resurrection. We celebrate an open communion for all believers regardless of church affiliation.
(Luke 22:7-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28.)
Baptism In The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in every believer at the moment of salvation. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct from salvation, releasing the power of the Holy Spirit through faith. Consistent with biblical accounts, believers should anticipate Spirit-baptism to be accompanied by speaking in tongues and other biblical manifestations. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is given to endue the believer with power from God, to offer an inspired witness for Christ, to lead the believer in a life of holiness, and to equip for a Spirit-filled life of service.
(John 7:37-39, 14:16; Acts 1:8, 2:4, 2:38-39, 8:14-17, 10:44-46, 19:6; 1 Corinthians 3:16.)
Spirit-Filled Life
We believe every Christian should walk and abide in daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit and experience continual renewing of God's power to live a Spirit-filled life in attitudes, thoughts, speech, and conduct. In order to build up and equip both individual believers and the Church of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts that are to be earnestly desired and exercised in the spirit of love. The fruit of the Spirit to be cultivated in the life of every believer is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
(John 15:4, 15:8; Acts 4:31; Romans 8:1, 8:5, 12:1-2, 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 12:7-11, 12:31; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:11, 4:30-32, 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 1 Peter 1:15, 4:10-11; 1 John 2:6.)
Divine Healing
We believe the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in every believer at the moment of salvation. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct from salvation, releasing the power of the Holy Spirit through faith. Consistent with biblical accounts, believers should anticipate Spirit-baptism to be accompanied by speaking in tongues and other biblical manifestations. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is given to endue the believer with power from God, to offer an inspired witness for Christ, to lead the believer in a life of holiness, and to equip for a Spirit-filled life of service.
(Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:18; Acts 3:16, 10:38; James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24.)
Second Coming Of Christ
We believe the second coming of Christ will be personal, visible, and triumphant.
(Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:36-44; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, 2:8; Titus 2:12-13; Revelation 1:7.)
Cival Government
We believe civil government is ordained of God, and all people should be subject to the laws of the land, except those contrary to Scripture. In times of war, the individual's participation in actual combat and taking of human life shall be governed by one's own conscience.
(Mark 12:17; Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Hebrews 12:14.)
Church Relationship
We believe Christians should assemble regularly for edification, worship, fellowship, and proclamation of the gospel. All believers should do the work of the ministry according to their spiritual gifts and should tithe and otherwise contribute financially to their church.
(Psalms 111:1; Malachi 3:8-10; Acts 2:42-47, 16:5; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Hebrews 10:24-25.)
Heaven
We believe heaven is an actual place of happiness and security where believers will dwell forever with God and receive the reward of their deeds done while on earth.
(John 14:2; 1 Corinthians 2:9, 3:10-15; Revelation 7:15-17, 21:4, 22:5.)
Final Judgment And Hell
We believe there will be a final judgment for all unbelievers. Hell is an actual place of great suffering, bitter sorrow, and remorse reserved forever for the devil and his angels and all whose names are not written in Christ's book of life.
(Matthew 13:41-43, 25:41; Mark 9:43-44; Revelation 14:10-11, 20:10-15, 21:7-8.)
Evangelism And Missions
We believe the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ commands us to carry the gospel message to the entire world - to every nation, ethnicity, culture, and language. The growth and strength of the Church depend on its wholehearted sacrifice and support for world evangelization.
(Psalms 2:8; Proverbs 11:30; Matthew 9:38; Mark 16:15; John 4:35-37; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 5:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; James 5:20; Revelation 5:9.)