Tom grew up in northwest Iowa and will always be an Iowa boy at heart. After high school he attended Nebraska Christian College and met and married his wife Suzi. After graduating from NCC with a degree in Pastoral Ministries, Tom and Suzi moved to Illinios in order to attend Lincoln Christian Seminary and begin full time youth ministry at Faith Christian Church in Quincy. Upon completing a Masters degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling, Tom and his growing family moved to Grinnell, Iowa where Tom begin a five year mininstry as the Involvement Minister at Grinnell Christian Church. In January 2005, Tom and his family moved to Iowa City to take his current position here at Iowa City Church of Christ. To find out more about Tom, check out his blog here.
Ben and his wife, Jen, are from Ames, Iowa. Ben has worked in ministry as a Youth Director and Contemporary Worship Coordinator at BethesdaLutheranChurch in Ames, as well as a Senior High Worship Coordinator at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minnesota. Ben has a BS in Ministry from NorthwesternCollege in St Paul, Minnesota, and a MA in Theology from WheatonCollege, Wheaton, Illinois.
Ben's primary purpose at Iowa City Church of Christ is to help others to become and grow as Disciples of Jesus Christ. The primary venue for this growth is in Discipleship Small Groups and One on One Discipleship. If you have any questions about what that looks like, or what step to take next, you can email Ben at benerbes@gmail.com. To see what else is going on with Discipleship at ICCC check out the blog.
Iowa City Church of Christ is an independent, non-denominational Christian church.
What We Believe
1. About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19;1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
2. About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
3. About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He give every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
4. About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspires it, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
5. About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
6. About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. Forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life are available to those who trust Christ as Savior and Lord. Those accepting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized into Him.
John 3:16, Romans 10:9; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:25-27; Romans 5:1; 1 Peter 3:20-22; Acts 22:16
