Our Pastor, Alan and Sherri Hinson
Alan and Sherri began going to our church a number of years ago and quickly got involved in ministering to the youth as this is a passion of theirs. Over the years they have become close family to all of us here and when Lowell began having health issues Alan stepped forward to fill the gap. As time passed and Lowell officially retired the church searched and found a pastor in their own congregation. We are excited to officially welcome and embrace Alan as our pastor and are excited for what the following years have in store for him as he grows and strengthens in this role. Alan and Sherri have a son Jacob and numerous former youth who claim them as family too.
Our Beliefs
About God: There is but one living and true god, the maker and preserver of all things. In the unity of this Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one in eternity, deity and purpose.
About Jesus Christ: He is the second person in the Godhead, born of the virgin Mary, was God in human flesh, truly God and truly man. He suffered, was crucified, dead and buried. He rose to life the third day, and now is sitting at the right hand of God and Father. He will return to judge all men.
About the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is one with the Father and Son. he is our Lord's ever present self, indwelling every believer. He is the inner guide of believers and the enabling power for Christian service.
About Man: God created man in his own image, innocent, morally free and responsible to choose between good and evil, right and wrong. By the sin of Adam, man is corrupted in his very nature, so that from birth he is inclined to sin. He is unable by his own strength and work to restore himself to right relationship with God and to merit eternal salvation.
About the Bible: The Bible is Gods written word, uniquely inspired by the holy spirit. It teaches the truth about God, his one and only son, and everything else necessary for salvation.
About Salvation: Christ offered once and for all one perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. Salvation comes through faith in the sacrifice, not by any works which man can do. However good works are a natural result of being "Born Again".
About The Sacraments: Water baptism is a sacrament of the church, and is symbolic of the new birth. The Lords supper is the another sacrament, and is a remembrance of the Lords death on the cross. It is also a sign of the love and unity that Christians have among themselves.
Our Attitudes
Attitudes are dispositions of the mind and spirit that determine the way a person or group of persons act. Attitudes also display positive or negative relations towards persons, things, and ideas. Our church endeavors to demonstrate helpful attitudes. We want the local community to see we are believers who truly love one another.
1. Our church is a witness for Christ in the community. We work in a spirit of co-operation with the Free Methodist Church and with the church in general around the world.
2. Our Church is a place of meaningful worship via bible study, prayer, sacraments, music, and whatever contributed to orderly worship.
3. Our commitment is to meet the needs of men, women, youth and children by teaching the true principles of life as given in the life and words of the Lord of our Church, Jesus Christ.
4. Our attitude towards the social needs of the local community is reflected in our ministries for children, youth and adults.
5. Our Church is dedicated to growth in spirit, in knowledge and in outreach.
6. We respect the right of persons to give their own ideas to certain beliefs. In today's world there are many different shades of Christian beliefs. Our main concern is to show that our beliefs and daily living go hand in hand to produce a loving fellowship, not a divisive group.
7. Our love toward all believers is reflected in the philosophy of "Open Communion" as regards sharing the sacraments. Membership is not a requirement to participate in the Lords supper or Baptism.
8. Our attitude toward monetary support of the church reflects the Biblical teachings which emphasize tithes and offerings. We do not attempt to access financial support, but trust the integrity and desire of each member to be involved in building Christ's Kingdom here on earth.
Our Heritage
The Free Methodist Church of North America is a body of earnest Christians committed to the will of God as revealed in the Bible. They are Methodist in doctrine and practice, having broken off from the old Methodist Episcopal Church in 1860.
The Church is made up of 33 conferences within the bounds of the United States as well as some in the united Kingdom, Africa, Asia, and South America.
The Bonners Ferry church is a member of the Columbia River Conference which includes all of Idaho, eastern Oregon, and Western Montana. Springs of Living Water was started in the 1940's by Rev. K.R. Bertholf who was the first pastor of the church. Our Church has had a history of growth and community involvement.