Core Values
We are a Christ-centered, Bible-based, family-oriented body of believers, striving to live out the core values of LOVE, COMPASSION, DEVOTION, WORSHIP and OUTREACH, with a strong emphasis on the SALVATION KNOWLEDGE of Jesus Christ. As a church, by committing to these core values, we believe we can carry out the vision God has given our Pastor. That is, to do things on purpose with excellence, being both professional and personal.
01. LOVE
Making it our priority to live a life of purposeful commitment to sacrificial action for one another. (John 15:13)
02. COMPASSION
Expressing genuine concern for and delivering effective care to our community. (Luke 6:36)
03. DEVOTION
Modeling a life of loyalty to God, to our families, to each other, to the mission of the church, and to the entire city of Tyler. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
04. WORSHIP
Posturing ourselves towards God in individual expressions of personal relationship to prepare our hearts and spirits to receive and effectively apply the Word of God to our lives. (John 4:24)
05. OUTREACH
Modeling a life of second-mile Christianity that with outstretched arms says, "We will take advantage of every opportunity to go the second mile for each other and for those in our community." (Matthew 28:18-20)
It’s not about religion. It’s about relationship
Tyler First Assembly exists to break the chains of religion and draw people into a growing relationship with Jesus.
HISTORY
SINCE 1917
In the years prior to 1917, prayer service heralded the beginning of an era that was to result in the formation of a dedicated group of believers knows as The Pentecostal Mission, who were inspired by a vision for the city of Tyler. This corporate body, led by Godly men, would ultimately be known as First Assembly of God, located at the corner of Beckham and Ferguson Streets. During these early years, prayer services were started praying that a church would be established in Smith Co., a church patterned after the early church in the Book of Acts. This group met on South Fannin Street in Tyler, Texas.
Such fervency of prayer was consuming passion of these early believers known as The Pentecostal Mission in 1917. In 1925, this fellowship applied to the General Council of the Assemblies of God asking for affiliation.
A letter was drafted by the Secretary of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, accepting this fellowship calling this new church The Assembly of Tyler. During the next several years, many members were added who later became a great asset to the future church. In 1932, another work was established on East Erwin St. known as the Full Gospel Tabernacle. In 1934, application was made to affiliate with the General Council of Assemblies of God and the new establishment became known as The Assembly of God.
In 1935, a merge of The Assembly of God with The Assembly of Tyler was agreed upon by the members, which eventually became what is known as First Assembly of God in Tyler, TX. Soon after the merge, the board of trustees entered into an agreement for securing property on the corner of Ferguson and Beckham Streets. In 1937, a deed of trust was signed for the purchase of the property and soon after, the body of believers entered into a project of erecting a building on this site.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Here at First Assembly of God Church, we believe the Bible is the divine and supreme authority and guideline to what we believe and how we live.
These are non-negotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to:
1. WE BELIEVE...
The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.
2. WE BELIEVE...
There is only One True God, revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).
3. WE BELIEVE...
In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's Son Jesus was both human and divine.
4. WE BELIEVE...
Though originally good, Man willingly fell to sin, ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.
5. WE BELIEVE...
Every person can have restored fellowship with God through 'salvation' (trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal Savior). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
6. WE BELIEVE...
And practice two ordinances-(1) Water Baptism by immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.
7. WE BELIEVE...
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a special experience following salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
8. WE BELIEVE...
The initial physical evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is 'Speaking in Tongues,' as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.
9. WE BELIEVE...
Sanctification initially occurs at salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
10. WE BELIEVE...
The Church has a mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus Christ.
11. WE BELIEVE...
A Divinely called and scripturally ordained leadership ministry serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, to build up or edify the body of believers (the Church) and to meet human need with ministries of love and compassion.
12. WE BELIEVE...
Divine healing of the sick is a privilege for Christians today and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
13. WE BELIEVE...
In the Blessed Hope, when Jesus raptures His Church prior to His return to earth (the Second Coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
14. WE BELIEVE...
In the millennial reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
15. WE BELIEVE...
A final judgment will take place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.
16. WE BELIEVE...
And look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on earth. 'And so shall we forever be with the Lord!'
