BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON RCC:

The vision of Raleigh Christian Community began on a sidewalk at the RDU Airport where founding pastor, Robert Spradley, was detained by an unexpected layover. There, on January 4, 1984, the Holy Spirit spoke to Pastor Spradley to begin a New Testament Church in Raleigh. Six months later, after much prayer, fasting, and planning, the Spradleys, with four other men (including Pastor Jim Kelly) and their families, moved to Raleigh. Then, on June 24, 1984, the vision became reality as RCC had its first Sunday Celebration service.

God blessed the new church and by the end of the year approximately 150 people were fellowshipping with us. It was apparent that larger facilities would be required and a home of our own was needed After a move to Daniels Middle School for additional space, by Divine intervention in February 1986, God supernaturally provided a beautiful 31-acre Arabian horse farm, complete with two barns, and a farm house. By this time, over 300 people were part of our growing church family.

The main barn (B-1) was transformed into a functional auditorium in just three weeks thanks to the hard work and sacrificial giving of the many dedicated people. On March 2, 1986, we celebrated our first service in our new church home. Later, the other barn (B-2) was converted into an educational facility and the farm house into the church office.

After meeting for two years in the renovated barns, the RCC family had again more than doubled. With two services quickly filled after a few weeks, it was inevitable that the barns would not contain our expanded family. What seemed impossible to the church financial consultants proved to be an absolutely phenomenal miracle of God. With pledges from the RCC family, $1,036,000 was raised for the "Building A Miracle" project. The Worship Center you see today is just the beginning of what God has done. Later, we were able to purchase 31 adjoining acres, which completed our 62-acre campus.

With the need for larger facilities in 1999, a new educational building (called the Life Center) was constructed providing more classrooms, new nursery space, and a gymnasium that doubles as a meeting place for our Children’s and Youth Ministries and for church-wide fellowships throughout the year.

Then in 1999, after serving as Associate Pastor for 15 years, Jim Kelly was appointed as Sr. Pastor of Raleigh Christian Community.

RCC's mission is to impact the greater Raleigh area with the good news gospel of Jesus Christ. We encourage every person within our growing community of faith to personally connect with God through Jesus Christ and pursue a growing relationship with the Lord through personal worship, prayer and regular study of God's word. Secondly, the word of God admonishes us to connect relationally with other believers in the church. We do this in small group settings in homes around the city and here on the RCC campus. This is how we grow in faith and truly become disciples of Christ. Thirdly, the word of God instructs us to be "salt and light" in our world and always be ready to share our faith with those whose lives intersects with ours. Loving God, loving our brothers and sisters and sharing our faith is what our local church is all about.

RCC's MISSION STATEMENT:

RCC’s mission is to impact the Greater Raleigh area with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our Core Beliefs are:

1. The Bible is God’s literal and infallible Word - We will always preach using God’s Word as our central focus.
2. Prayer — We will only be as spiritually strong as our commitment to prayer both corporately and individually.
3. Praise & Worship — We praise God for who He is because it pleases Him; it lifts our spirits and is a form of spiritual warfare.
4. Fellowship — If you have been around RCC for any length of time, you know that we are committed to fellowship and relationships.
5. Evangelism — Jesus said in Acts 1:8, ". . .you shall be my witnesses." It was not the great suggestion; it’s the great commission!
6. Pentecostal Ministry — At RCC, we believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, the laying on of hands, healing, deliverance and anything else that is according to the "whole counsel of God."
7. Finances — We have made it a priority to be "fiscally sound" and good stewards of all that God has given us. We will continue to teach and instruct God’s people to tithe, and give offerings and alms for those in need.
8. Committed to Excellence — Whatever we do as a church we should do with excellence because we are representing the King of all kings!
9. All Leaders Should be "Above Reproach" — We will always make it a high priority to live pure and holy lives as God’s ambassadors.

AFFILIATION:

RCC is honored to be part of the Assemblies of God. As the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, the Assemblies of God has become a major force for God. There are over 12,000 Churches in the United States along with over 2,500,000 constituents. Spiritual camaraderie, accountability, and joint ministry opportunities such as world missions are just a few of the benefits RCC gleans from its association with the Assemblies of God.

Below are links to the 4 Core Doctrines and the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God. These are a guide for our beliefs and way of living.

1. Core Doctrines
2. Fundamental Truths

LOCAL CHURCH GOVERNMENT:

A. Believers

Every born-again believer has obtained bold access to the Father through the blood of Jesus. Therefore, it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to enter the presence of God and to receive personal guidance and direction from God as it relates to himself and his family. Each believer is to be involved in service within the local church.

B. Small Group Leaders

Our Small Group leaders provide a “connecting point” for believers to gather for fellowship, prayer, Bible study and service. We highly encourage every new member to connect with at least one of our Small Groups.

C. Ministry Directors

Our Ministry Directors are leaders who are presently giving direct spiritual and practical oversight to one or more ministries of RCC.

D. Pastors

Pastors are those who have been called of God to assist the church leadership in shepherding the flock. (See I Peter 5:2.)

E. Elders

RCC is committed to the head of the church, Jesus Christ, and to His delegated authority. His delegated authority in the local church consists of a plurality of leadership known as Elders. The Elders are men who meet the qualifications as set forth in the Bible (1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1:5-9) and serve as overseers to the community of believers. God’s direction for the church is not ascertained through a consensus of votes, but through a consensus of spiritual perception. The Elders may represent the five-fold ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11. Voice and direction will be given to the Eldership through one man, designated by God and recognized by the other brethren to be the Presiding Elder/Senior Pastor.