Culture & Values
bELONG
Jesus invited the disciples to follow Him in faith and community before He asked them to believe. Jesus understood the importance of belonging. CNaz is a community where everyone is welcome, so we invite you to come and be a part of the community here. We laugh, we cry, we argue, we encourage, and we love one another. We aren’t perfect, but we’re a great place to grow. No one should do life alone, come find where you belong.
BELIEVE
Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts and waits expectantly for us to answer and invite Him in. Our belief in Him and His teachings are our road map, not only to eternal life, but also to a life well lived. While believing is not a requirement for belonging to the community of our church, our desire is for you to come into a full understanding of who Jesus is, to have a life-altering, transformational encounter with Him, and to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
BECOME
Jesus desires a deeper walk with each of us. Jeremiah 29:11 promises that God has plans for us - good plans that will give us hope and a thriving future. Yet in order for us to receive the very best that God has intended we must learn to lean into our faith and rely more fully on Him. This includes reading and studying His Word, spending time in prayer, and actively serving one another as we work out our faith. Our desire is for you to find that special place where you can become more like Jesus and the very best version of yourself, and we want you to be close enough to hear Him whisper as He calls you on to the future He has planned for you.
Welcome to 2025, a new year of focusing on the Joy that can only be found in Jesus.
Joy is often seen as something fleeting—a feeling tied to circumstances, successes, or pleasant experiences. Yet, in the Bible, joy is far deeper, more profound, and eternal. The joy we are called to as Christians is not merely based on the highs and lows of life, but is anchored in the holiness, faithfulness, and goodness of God, and His unchanging nature.
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This year we will be focusing on the powerful message of joy found in Jude 24 and 25:
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”
These verses provide a vision of God’s work in our lives, and a joy that is grounded not in our own ability but in God’s power, authority, and faithfulness.
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Jude recognizes God's power to keep us from stumbling on our Christian journey. Despite challenges, God safeguards us and holds us steady. We are never alone; a loving Father always supports us. Jude foresees believers standing before God, pure and faultless, thanks to Christ's righteousness.
However, Joy is not just about receiving from God; it is also about responding to Him in worship. True joy in the Christian life is seen in our gratitude, adoration, and praise to God for who He is and for what He has done. As we recognize the greatness of our Savior, our joy naturally turns into worship.
The joy that we experience through God’s salvation is not confined to a moment in time; it is eternal. This gives us hope even amid trials and suffering.
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I am praying that as we commit to finding our Joy in Christ this year, God will pour out His Holy Spirit on you, bless your family, expand your opportunities, refresh your faith, and give you renewed purpose. Your testimony may be exactly what someone else needs to hear. I’m praying you will be able to share what God has done for you with power, passion, and joy in the days ahead. You are an important part of the ministry here and you make us all stronger through your prayers and presence.
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The joy we find in Jude 24 and 25 is not a fleeting emotion but a deep, abiding certainty in the finished work of Christ. It is a joy rooted in God’s power to keep us, His promise of future glory, and the eternal nature of our relationship with Him. As we consider these truths, may our hearts be filled with joy that cannot be shaken by the circumstances of life. Let us live in response to God’s grace, with hearts of worship, knowing that He who has saved us will keep us and present us before His glorious presence, without fault, and with great joy.