About Our Church
We are a Christ-centered Apostolic church in Southwest Missouri, committed to spreading the Gospel and building a community of faith. Our mission is to love God, love people, and serve the world.
What do we teach?
We believe in one God, who came in the form of man to redeem the world from their sins. This man, who is 100% God as well as being 100% man, is Jesus Christ (John 1:1,14; Colossians 2:12; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 10:30). We believe in baptism for the remission of sin (Acts 2:38, Rom. 6:4, Col. 2:12, 1 Pet. 3:21). We believe the Holy Ghost is essential for salvation (Acts 2:4, Acts 2:38, Acts 19:6, Tit. 3:5).
We believe that Christians should live their lives in holiness, which is the process of sanctification as discussed in the Bible. ( 1 Peter 1:13-16; 1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 12:14; 2 Corinthians 7:1) Additionally we are to edify and encourage our fellow believers.
See Essentials of Salvation, the pastor's blog for other articles on theology.
What is our mission?
Our mission was given by Jesus Christ. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus told us to make disciples of all the world. As such it is our belief that Bible study plays an integral part in discipling people. If you are interested in a 12 week Bible Study which covers all of the major teachings of the church and goes from the beginning to the end of the Bible, please contact us.
Specifically, Apostolics of Southwest Missouri’s mission is to share the whole gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) to McDonald County, Missouri. The Apostolics of Southwest Missouri is affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church International.
Our Team
Our Pastors are Ryan and Teena Gustason. Pastor Ryan grew up an athiest and encountered God is his early twenties while stationed in the U.S. Navy on Okinawa Japan. Teena had been searching for God since her early childhood. Jesus led us, through the military, to Okinawa Japan where we received truth and salvation, and was baptized in the name of Jesus in the South China Sea.
Pastor Ryan has a Master of Theological Studies degree from Urshan Graduate School of Theology.
Both are thrilled with the journey God is leading His church through.
Questions? Contact Us!
Giving
Donations are tax deductible in the United States.
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What does the Bible teach about tithing?
Paul wrote in his letter to Corinth of the abundant giving of the Macedonians. “For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.”
(2 Cor 8:3–5 NLT-SE)
The author of Hebrews also instructs us to share, saying, “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
(Heb 13:16 NKJV)
Jesus tells us to be faithful in tithing, the giving of 10% of our income, in order to be entrusted with spiritual matters. “And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?”
(Luke 16:11 NLT-SE)
Specifically, tithing comes from Leviticus, “One-tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD and must be set apart to him as holy. If you want to buy back the LORD’s tenth of the grain or fruit, you must pay its value, plus 20 percent.”
(Lev 27:30–31 NLT-SE).
One-tenth of the gain from our labors belongs to God. We should be faithful stewards of what God has blessed us with.
