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  • About Us
    • Ministries
    • Outreach
    • Resources

Who We Are

Who we are and what we strive to do as a church family can be summarized as Upward (toward God), Inward (toward one another) and Outward (toward the world). We want everyone in our church family to excel in each of these areas.

UPWARD

The heart of our faith is a relationship with God. To love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength is the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-30).  We grow in our relationship with God by knowing Him through scripture, which is why our sermons and classes are always centered on a clear explanation and application of the Bible.

We encourage personal devotions and together follow a read-through-the-Bible schedule. We also worship God through prayer and bring to Him our personal concerns, the needs of those around us, the ministry of the church, our nation and our world.

INWARD

Helping one another grow in Christian maturity and equipping one another for service are high priorities and take many forms. Discipleship is an intentional component of several programs, but it is primarily “caught” in our relationships rather than “taught.” There are many mature believers among us so this is a great church family if you want to grow in Christ-likeness. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching“ (Hebrews 10:23-25). Parents have the primary responsibility for leading their children and teens to Christian maturity and we support their efforts with Sunday School and Children’s Church.

OUTWARD

We stress the need for the body to proclaim the gospel to a lost world (Matthew 28:18-20), not only for their sake but also so there will be more voices in Heaven to adore our Savior. Evangelism is the most challenging part of ministry because it is a direct attack on the Enemy’s rule. We give this area particular attention, not only because it is important but because it is difficult. In our culture evangelism through friendships is the most effective strategy, therefore we pray for each other’s friends and relatives to know Christ. Our English as a Second Language program fosters friendships between teachers and students, and sharing our faith is a natural outcome. We support a number of missionaries and missions organizations through prayer and finances plus the sermons and Bible Hour classes in the month of May have a special emphasis on missions. Several of our members are full time missionaries and many of our youth and adults have joined short term missions projects.

A strong outward ministry focus is one of our defining characteristics as a church family. This honors God, blesses those we reach and stretches us to grow spiritually as we undertake new areas of personal and group ministry.

What We Believe

The Scriptures

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of all who believe, and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life.

One God...Three Persons

We believe in one God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived His life on earth without sin. He died on a cross the sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. He arose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty of High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.

Holy Spirit

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men of sin, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service. He also illumines Scripture for the believer.

Salvation

We believe that man was created in the likeness and image of God. But because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience man became a sinner by nature. Everyone is, therefore, separated from God and under His wrath. It is only by faith through regeneration of the Holy Spirit that anyone can receive salvation leading to eternal life in fellowship with God.

The Blood of Jesus

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead provide the only ground for the justification and salvation for all who believe, and that only such as receive Jesus Christ by faith are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become the children of God.

Baptism

We believe that water baptism is an ordinance to be observed by the Church during this present age.  However, it is not to be regarded as a means of salvation. While we believe that immersion is the only Scriptural mode of baptism, any person who knows Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior may be admitted to membership and service of this Church upon confession of faith. Baptism is to be administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Communion

We believe that the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) is an ordinance to be observed by the Church during this present age. It is, however, not to be regarded as a means of salvation. The Lord’s Supper should be administered to believers only, in accordance with the Word of God. Any who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ may partake of the Lord’s Supper in this Church whether or not they are members.  The time of observance of this ordinance may be regulated by the Board of Elders.

Church Membership

We believe that the true Church is composed of all persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. Further, we believe that only those who are thus members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local Church.

Church Governance

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local Church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs, in accordance with the Scriptures.

Christ's Return

We believe in the personal, premillennial and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that this “blessed hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (Note: while our church is historically premillennial, we allow latitude on this point.)

Resurrection

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead, of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, and of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.

Our Leadership

Alex McDonough

Alex McDonough

Lead Pastor
Pastor Alex is a native of New England. He was an agnostic in his teen years, but after he came to Christ as a young man he completed a bachelor's degree at Harvard and graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with an M.Div. in pastoral ministry. He became our associate pastor in 1988 and served here 30 years because he was so committed to the type of ministry we practice in this church. Upon the retirement of our previous senior pastor we called Alex to be our new senior pastor in 2018. He is single-minded in his love for the Lord; his knowledge of scripture is both deep and practical; and his teaching and preaching are clear and compelling. In his off time he enjoys reading, walking, writing comedy and poetry, following the local sports teams, and being an authority on all things pizza and chocolate.
Jim McClymonds

Jim McClymonds

Elder, Church Chairman
Jim enjoys teaching adult Bible studies and apologetics classes because it changes lives. He also loves children and they respond well to him so he leads the children’s church ministry. Besides teaching and other elder responsibilities, Jim is our “resident handyman” and leads our work days. He and his wife Gail have four grown children and seven grandchildren. Jim is an Engineering Fellow at Raytheon Company where he is in semiconductor development.
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Jim and Gail often invite folks for Sunday lunch so don’t be shy about accepting!
Gabriel Nelson

Gabriel Nelson

Elder
Gabe is passionate about the power of God's Word, the Bible, to change minds, hearts, and lives. He loves teaching adult Bible Hour. Gabe is married to Stephanie, and they have three teenage daughters. He's really a kid at heart, and loves working with children. Hope I.C. is a great place for hands-on service, including learning carpentry and general handyman skills. Gabe has taken full advantage of that - and his tool, and skill, collection continues to grow! Gabe works in robotics in the Boston area.

About Us

We are an evangelical church committed to developing mature disciples for Jesus Christ.  Our preaching and teaching are centered on the Bible and we are united in our desire to glorify God and make him the first priority in our lives.  Our church family is very diverse in age, race and national origin and there is genuine caring and ministry through our bond in Christ.

Sunday Mornings

9:45am: Fellowship & Refreshments

10:00am: Worship Service

11:30am: Fellowship & Refreshments

11:45am: Sunday School for All Ages

11:45am: ESL Classes

Contact Details

21 Bruce Road | Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 891-5238
info@hopeic.org
https://www.hopeic.org

Copyright © 2018-2020 Hope International Church. All rights reserved.