Fountain of Life Christian Church, Old Kings Highway, Lake Katrine, New York

OUR VISION

—ABOUT THE CHURCH—

We are a group of believers in Jesus Christ, gathering around Him and sharing our lives with one another. Jesus wants all His followers to be of one heart and mind, and to come under His loving authority and live their lives in a new way. Many of us have tried living our lives for ourselves enjoying what the world has to offer, but we found that type of existence meaningless and futile. Instead, we have come to know Jesus as the only one who can satisfy. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to God except through Him (John 14:6). He is the savior of all men, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. He is over all, in all, and working through all who have put their trust in Him. He is the head of His body, the church. We are not the whole church but merely a small part. His church is made up of all true believers everywhere who “call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2). Therefore, we seek to have a good relationship with other Christian churches and work with them for the furtherance of God’s kingdom. For more information on what we believe please read the pamphlet titled, “What we believe and why we believe it.”

—MEMBERSHIP—

“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” (1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV)

This scripture teaches that once a person receives the Holy Spirit, they automatically become a member of Christ’s body, which qualifies one as a member of a church. However, if you desire to become an integral part of this particular church, there are certain responses which are expected from you. These are the following:

Home Churches: These are an essential part of the ministry at the Fountain of Life. If you are serious about this being your church home, you should commit yourself to attend one. In a house church, you will have an opportunity to build relationships with other Christians and experience the reality of fellowship in the family of God. You will also receive teachings and revelations from the Bible necessary for a stable foundation and the opportunity to discuss them in depth. Basically, the Home Church environment is where much of our life in Christ is lived out in day to day circumstances. For further reading on this subject see the following publication "What's Happening in the Workshop?" For local information, please call those listed on the "Contact" page.

Tithing: We believe that tithing (giving 10% of one’s income) is the biblical way to support God’s work in the local church. It is not to be a response based on a legalistic requirement, but rather a natural outcome of the Lordship of Christ in our lives. For more instruction on tithes and offerings, please read the relevant literature available in the entrance lobby of the church building, or ask one of the elders or deacons.

Tithes are used for:
Support of full-time ministries
Building maintenance expenses
Helping those in need (where appropriate)
Literature and outreach ministries
Support of other ministries

A yearly financial statement can be obtained from the church treasurer.

Serving: The Bible teaches us that it is God’s will for every Christian to serve and help others (Ephesians 4:12, Titus 3:14, Galatians 6:2). All who are committed to this church should be willing to serve when and where possible.

Commitment to Leaders: If you have decided to make this your church home, we expect you to support, pray for, and work with the elders and the vision God gives the church (Hebrews 13:17).

—LEADERSHIP—

“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder . . . be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care . . . .” (1 Peter 5:1-3 NIV)

Leadership at the Fountain of Life is provided by a plurality of elders, men who are equally responsible to shepherd the flock. Though they are equal in governing responsibilities, they do differ according to their individual ways in which they are gifted to serve and help equip the saints (Ephesians 4:11).

The elders at the Fountain of Life:
Paul Brennan—339-3263, 99 Emerson St., Kingston, NY 12401
Peter Scott—331-3331, 12 Oak Ridge Terrace, Kingston, NY 12401
Wayne Zimmerman—594-4120, 124 Harwich St., Kingston, NY 12401

Please feel free to call any one of the elders if you need assistance.

—DEACONS—

“For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13)

Deacons are those men who provide a vital functional undergirding for the elders. They are delegated responsibility and authority for various ministries within the church. They are to be above reproach and examples of bond-servants to the whole church, as it is God’s will for all His people to be bond-servants. Their role is not to be viewed as permanent but is subject to change both because of the growth and needs of the assembly and their own spiritual growth.

The following are truths, ministry objectives, priorities and values that jointly define our God-given vision. They are what unite us as a local expression of the body of Christ.

(1) The Centrality of Christ

We believe that Jesus is not only our Savior, He is also our Lord (Rm. 10:9).

He merits our personal obedience and the full surrender of our life to Him. He is the image into which the Holy Spirit seeks to transform us. He is the most important Person and emphasis of each life and ministry in the church. He is our Savior, Lover, Shepherd, Friend and King! All that we will ever need is found in Him.

(2) The Headship of Christ

Just as Jesus is Lord of each personal life, He is also Head of our collective lives as a church; we are part of His body! We believe that God desires us to relate to Him and one another, not as a “Christian institution” but as a spiritual body. A living organism has only one head, and we believe that Jesus is Head over all things to our assembly (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23). All life functions, such as anointings, prophetic direction and ministry graces originate in Him, and as a church, we seek to be led by His Spirit.

(3) Body Ministry

We seek to make converts and to disciple them to maturity in Christ. (Col. 1:28). We believe that each disciple is a member of the body of Christ with a specific call and grace from God for service (1Cor. 12:12-27; 2 Tim. 1:9). Ministries and leaders in FOUNTAIN OF LIFE are responsible to help believers discover their call and to equip them. This process begins with a whole hearted willingness by each candidate to serve in menial tasks (Luke 16:10; Acts 6:2,3). Equipping addresses such things as character, faithfulness, prayer, worship, willingness to serve and ministry.

(4) An Apostolic Church

We believe that all gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit should come forth in the church. This includes apostles and prophets who are foundational ministries in the body of Christ (Eph. 2:20-22). We believe the Lord has called us as an apostolic church, to be a house of prayer for all the nations and to send foundational ministry by men, teams and literature to the wider body of Christ.

(5) Church Government

We believe in plural oversight, where a team of men who qualify as elders provide godly diversity, accountability and safety in shepherding because of the different ministry graces among them (1 Pet. 5:1-4; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 14:23; 20:17-35). Elders will be men who lead by word and example, who will not manipulate or control the sheep. Our goal for leaders is not conformity, but diversity in submission. The elders and deacons work together as a team of servants who must continually be held up in prayer by the church.

(6) House Churches

We believe that the small group environment of house churches is ideal for neighborhood evangelism, for the building of relationships, where prayer, worship and ministry gifts can be practiced and established in lives. All believers committed to FOUNTAIN OF LIFE are expected to be part of a house church, for this is where “grass roots” shepherding takes place in the assembly.

(7) Evangelism

The death and resurrection of Jesus has totally defeated Satan and stripped him of all his power. This is the key of evangelism! We believe He has called FOUNTAIN OF LIFE to be an instrument of harvest in our day. We recognize that a deep work of renewal is required in our hearts for this to take place. We need God’s love, mercy and compassion to reach poor, handicapped, crippled and dysfunctional persons in society. We believe that the present visitation of God is intended to restore these qualities within us. As we deny ourselves and take up our cross with prayer, fasting and worship, we believe that the love of God and the power of His cross will bring in the harvest. It is vital that we work together with other churches in this area in humility, trust and integrity as the Lord opens doors of cooperation for evangelism.

(8) Israel

We believe that a unique part of God’s purpose is the regathering of Jews to their homeland of Israel. In God’s own time, there will be a great ingathering of souls in Israel leading to national salvation (Rm. 11:1-26). As a church, by prayer and ministry, we support outreach to Jews, for we believe that restoration of the church is not complete without restoration of Israel. The salvation of Israel will be a great testimony of the riches of God’s mercy (Rm. 11:12,15,31). God’s ultimate goal of restoration is the “one new man” made up of Jew and Gentile believers (Eph. 2:14-16).

(9) Financial Resources

We believe that when we give our lives to Jesus, this includes all that we possess. To be saved means that we become stewards of all that God places in our hands. Tithes, offerings and personal service are practical expressions of our stewardship in the church family. We are committed to financial integrity in the handling of all moneys placed in our hands. Our church is like a tree of life. The roots represent tithes and offerings, the trunk corresponds to our local ministries, resources and services, while the branches with fruit represent our outreach by ministries and literature to individuals, churches and nations.