We believe that the following statements are an accurate summary of biblical truth.  As a church we choose to work toward doctrinal unity with a humble and teachable spirit. Where there is disagreement or a lack of understanding regarding any biblical convictions, we assume the liberty to ask questions and engage in edifying discussion. In addition, we believe the elders/pastors have been called of God to keep watch over this church as those who will give an account to Him. Therefore, if differences arise we will not undermine the leadership of Christ Fellowship by causing divisions and quarrels. We will let our elders/pastors lead the church and shepherd us with joy and not with grief.

• Gospel Coalition Confessional Statement
• 2000 Baptist Faith & Message
• The Abstract of Principles

Like individual believers, each church God establishes has its own unique qualities, characteristics and rhythms.  In an effort to be as transparent as possible, we have listed below some of the distinctives of Christ Fellowship Wasatch.

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY & GOSPEL PROCLAMATION – We proclaim the gospel of our Sovereign Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  We understand that within this statement are powerful implications for the way in which we are committing to live our lives. By God’s strength and for His glory, we are willing to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and spread the fame of Jesus.  Our earnest prayer is that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly across the WASATCH FRONT and beyond!

PRIMACY & SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE – The Bible is the heart of everything we do.  It is our complete and final word in all matters of belief and practice.  As a congregation, we are joyfully seeking to live under the authority of the Bible for God’s glory and our supreme enjoyment of Him.  That’s one of the reasons why, as a church family, we work through books of the Bible verse by verse.

ELDER-LED– Our church is led by a plurality of elders/pastors/overseers (these words are used interchangeably in the Bible for the same person). Our elders are equal in authority. We realize that experience, gifting, and years of service may play a part in how the elders work within the team, but this does not affect the equality of the team. Besides Jesus, there is no “senior/lead” pastor of this local church.

MEANINGFUL MEMBERSHIP – We believe that MEMBERSHIP means something in terms of mutual commitment.  It opens a door to certain ministry possibilities, corporate decision-making, to loving accountability, and to a new level of Christian fellowship.

COMPLEMENTARIAN – We believe men and women are equal before God, but have differing, complementary roles in the home and in the church. We wholeheartedly embrace and celebrate God’s beautiful design regarding manhood and womanhood in a culture that is unashamedly running in the opposite direction.

RESTORING THOSE WHO FALL – CHURCH DISCIPLINE is one of the primary means God uses to correct and restore His children when they fall into sin.  It is also one way in which He maintains the unity, purity, integrity, and reputation of the church.  We are committed to speaking the truth in love and calling one another to repentance when our thoughts, words and actions are not in line with God’s Word.

CHURCH IS A FAMILY – We are a family formed by the gospel and we want the rhythms of our body life to reflect that great reality in Christ.  That’s one of the reasons why we pursue hospitality throughout the week and share meals together as often as possible.  That’s also why we encourage our families to worship together…a multigenerational service with kids of all ages. It is a beautiful sight!

PARENTS & CHILDREN – We are very serious and intentional about saturating our homes in the gospel and bringing up our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  From breakfast until bedtime, we want our children to see, understand, and behold Christ as preeminent in all things.  As a church family we are committed to walking with moms and dads as they equip their children for kingdom advancement.  Our prayer is that God might raise up a generation of disciples who will carry the gospel flag to farthest and hardest places.

KINGDOM ADVANCEMENT– One of our core values is to equip and encourage other local churches, church plants, mission teams and like-minded entities.  We want to sacrificially invest time, energy and resources into mission and ministry, both locally and globally.  We want to be known as a people who give the kingdom away!

Utah Biblical Counseling & OIC Italy Director (Javan Payne)

Golden Spike Network (Adam Madden)

LEAD Northern Utah – Southeastern Seminary Equip Center (Dr. John Thomas)

CARM (Luke Wayne)

JAVAN PAYNE – PASTOR/ELDER

Javan and his wife Lindsay have four children – Anabel, Judson, Judah & Ella. Javan has a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a Certified Biblical Counselor, founder of Utah Biblical Counseling, and is the OIC Director for Italy.

ADAM MADDEN – PASTOR/ELDER

Adam and his wife Paige (she blogs at A Lot Of Family) have nine children – Gavin, Aslan, Sadarius, JT, Amya, Aizley, Avery, Silas & Asa. Adam has been pastoring and planting churches for the past 20 years. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Theological Studies from Southwest Baptist University, followed by graduate work in apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Adam is the Executive Director of Golden Spike Network.

TRAVIS STOKES – DEACON

Travis and his wife Katie have three children – Jack, Will & Henry. Prior to moving to Utah, the Stokes served as missionaries in northern Mexico with Upon This Rock International. Travis studied at Rio Grande Bible Institute.