A simple church in the Blue Ridge, gathering since 2001.
Reaching the displaced church.
When the Heart was first planted in 2001, our vision included the deep desire to minister to those who don’t currently attend church – to share God’s love with those who are wounded, doubt-filled, and weary. Decades later, that guiding hope has not changed.
From the start, our aim has been to reach people who think of themselves as the displaced church – anyone who feels disconnected from God – and to walk with them back into relationship with Him. This mission includes equipping those who are walking closely with the Lord to love and compassionately serve their neighbors.
Creating vibrant spaces of hope and healing where Christ’s love is put into action.
Reconciling people to God and each other through Christ’s love. Simple.
In the essentials of our faith we find unity. In the non-essentials we embrace liberty. In all things we offer love.
We’d rather be known by what we’re for than what we’re against.
The essentials.
01 God
There is One True God. In the beginning He created all things good. He was and will always be in relationship with Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
02 People
The human race was created by a special act of God, in His own image. Adam and Eve were created without sin. They were tempted by the enemy, and chose to disobey God. Because of that disobedience, humans are now part of a broken world.
God did not abandon His creation. He promised to restore the brokenness. As part of that promise, He chose a people through Abraham — Israel. Despite Israel’s disobedience, God has not forgotten His promise. He brought the Messiah, Jesus, into the world through this chosen nation. He will restore all things through Jesus.
03 Bible
God inspired the authors of Scripture by His Spirit. The Bible, as originally given, is the perfect Word of God.
04 Salvation
God entered humanity as a human in Jesus. Jesus was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died for our sins, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven, where He serves as the only mediator between God and humankind. God desires all people to receive salvation through faith in what Jesus did for us.
05 Life
Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers in Jesus are called to love God with all of themselves and to love people with the same kind of love. We long for the return of Jesus, when He will restore all things.
Five things we come back to.
Whether we’re gathered on Sunday, sitting in a Spiritual Formation Group, or showing up for our neighbors — these are the commitments we keep returning to.
01 Simple
We try to be and do church in a way that removes what isn’t necessary, so we can focus on what is — and do those things with care and excellence.
02 Loving
We’re called to love God with all of ourselves and to embrace people with that same kind of love. Not a feeling. A practice.
03 True
Being known by what we’re for, rather than what we’re against, removes barriers. In truth, we can live as the unique people God made us to be, and have honest relationships with one another.
04 Called
We’re the physical presence of the church in our neighborhoods and workplaces. That means love, respect, and putting others ahead of ourselves — visibly — in how we treat the people we meet.
05 Mobile
The church isn’t a building or a Sunday. Mobility is the ongoing work of applying what we hear from Scripture into the actual hours of our week.
Living it together, on purpose.
We don’t have formal membership. We do have an invitation: that anyone who’s found a home here would step into the kind of intentional community modeled in Acts 2 and John 15.
Love God completely.
Show up to worship expecting God’s presence. Ask what God wants from us. Develop a worshipful response with the resources we’ve been given — time, skills, gifts, finances, the spaces we have access to.
Love self correctly.
Live rhythms that include trusting relationships and personal time with God. That looks like Spiritual Formation Groups, mentoring, prayer partners — regular time with others outside Sunday morning that grounds a healthy view of self.
Love others sacrificially.
Serve on Sundays, in youth, at Table Talks, or by helping facilitate a group. Show up for our local and global partners. Or start something new for someone we’re not yet reaching.
As each of us steps into intentional community, we participate with God in creating vibrant spaces of hope and healing. That is how people are reconciled to God and each other — through Christ’s love.
The best way to get to know us is to show up.
Sundays at 10 (ish), with coffee starting at 9:30. We’ll save you a seat — or you can stand by the back wall and watch first. Both are normal.