Menu Close

About Us

Dead in Sin, Alive in Christ

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:1-7

What kind of a church is rugged Cross?

Although there are some of us within our loving fellowship who hold to different convictions in various areas (including areas listed below), the following is how we would briefly describe Rugged Cross.

Reformed

We are reformed in soteriology, meaning we hold to the doctrines of grace.

Baptistic

We are baptistic, meaning we hold to credobaptism (believers’ baptism).

Evangelical

We are evangelical, meaning our faith and practice are founded upon the Scriptures alone and we hold dear and central the Great Commission.

Unaffiliated

We are unaffiliated, meaning we are not a part of a denomination, but we do work with biblical churches of various affiliations and denominations.

Convicting Words

There is conformity to the world, instead of conformity to Christ! There is a laying down, instead of a taking up of the cross. Or there is a lining of the cross with velvet, lest it should gall our shoulders as we carry it! Or there is an adorning of the cross, that it may suite the taste and the manners of our refined and intellectual age.

Anything but the bare, rugged and simple cross!

-Horatius Bonar

Why "Rugged Cross"?

The cross of Jesus Christ, both offensive and beautiful, is the power of God which saves us. So we desire to set it before us with all its gore and horror – as well as its glory and love. At the cross, God made known His righteousness and wrath against sin. And at that same cross He vividly expressed His mercy and compassion toward a broken and sinful humanity. This plain gospel is sufficient to convert sinners and to stir up worship of God.

Our Mission

The wonders and excellencies of God in Christ Jesus impassion us – as His church – to:

  • pursue Him,
  • enjoy Him,
  • embody Him
  • and proclaim Him

in our families, in our community and among the nations.