# What We Believe

God commands us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. The unity of the Church does not depend on theological formulations, but on a living relationship with the Lord Jesus. If you belong to Him, you are our brother or sister and we can rejoice in our fellowship! While some of our beliefs are not up for discussion, other matters are not so fundamental to the Christian faith, and should be discussed in love, avoiding unnecessary division. That said, here is our statement of faith:

Read Our Statement of Faith

We believe that God is the infinite, eternal Creator of the universe Who has revealed Himself as One God yet as three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Through the Son and by the power of the Spirit the Father created the entire seen and unseen creation, including man, in six days.

According to their eternal plan, the Father sent the Son into the World, to be born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem us who were under the Law. By His sinless, obedient life, death, resurrection, and ascension, the Son has freed us from the guilt and power of sin. He has made full payment for all transgressions, and has overcome sin, death, and hell. He has opened to us free access to the Father, purchased our healing, and redeemed us from all bondage through His cross.

Christ will come again in power and glory, to judge the living and the dead. Those who believed in Him shall be granted eternal life with Him, while those who rejected Him shall be sent to an eternal hell of punishment and torment.

As glorious Victor over principalities and powers He shares the spoils of His victory with His Church. He sends gifts of men: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip the saints to serve. After His ascension to the right hand of the Father, He received the promised Holy Spirit and poured Him out upon all flesh.

The Holy Spirit calls and gathers the Church through the Gospel, which Gospel He desires to confirm in signs and wonders. The Spirit was poured out so that all believers would receive power to witness in word and deed. The Spirit equips the Church for sanctification, worship, and ministry worldwide.

By the Holy Spirit, God has given us the Holy Scriptures. They are God-breathed, inerrant, and are the final and only rule of the Church's faith, practice, and life.

# Home Groups

Our “Home Groups” are primarily fellowship, study, and prayer gatherings at homes of the members. These are intended to provide the mainstay of pastoral care at COC. Those who consider themselves members should be a part of one of our Home Groups.

# Leadership

We do not have a single pastor, but a group of seven elders who lead the congregation.

Wayne DeCloux

Wayne DeCloux has been a part of Christian Outreach Church since 1977. He is a graduate of the Christian Outreach School of Ministries. Along with Tricia, his wife of more than 35 years, they have three adult daughters and one adult son. Wayne worked 25 years as a firefighter-paramedic and is now retired.

Warren Henriksen

Warren Henriksen has been a part of Christian Outreach Church since 1982. Warren is the founder of Trinity New Testament Ministries. Warren has been a missionary to the Philippines since 1997, establishing Living Water School of Ministry in 2004. Warren and his wife, Anita, were married in 1962. They have three adult children and a bunch of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

David Houser

David Houser and his wife, Mona, have been married for more than 50 years. They have five adult offspring and whole passel of grandkids. David and Mona served as missionaries in Papua New Guinea for ten years. They became a part of Christian Outreach Church in 1977. David has served at Christian Outreach School since 2001. He is also a member of the Civil Air Patrol.

Daniel Kennedy

Daniel Kennedy was born in Nigeria, and was raised primarily on the mission field. In 1972, he moved with his parents and siblings to Hillsboro where his father became part of the staff of Christian Outreach School of Ministries. Daniel has four adult children and one grandchild. He has been the main worship leader at Christian Outreach Church since 2008. Daniel is married to Joy.

Tom Kraeuter

Tom Kraeuter has been a part of Christian Outreach Church since 1978. He was the primary worship leader for the congregation from 1984 until 1998. Tom is a writer and itinerant speaker, and also coordinates JeffCo Christians United, a coalition of churches here in Jefferson County. He and his wife, Barbara, have three adult children.

Steve Miller

Steve Miller came to Family Bible Camp at Christian Outreach every year as he was growing up. After graduating from college, Steve taught various grade levels at Christian Outreach School. For ten years he lived in Guiyang, China, with his family, teaching English and doing (as they say in China) "M" work. He and his wife Cathy have four children, and currently teach and serve as administrators of Christian Outreach School.

Daryl Roth

Daryl Roth is often referred to as our resident "walking concordance." Not many people can match the amount of Scripture he has memorized. Daryl has worked for DRS Technologies in High Ridge for nearly 30 years. He's a big fan of country music. Daryl has been married to Donna for more than 30 years. They have three adult daughters and a growing number of grandkids.

# History

Christian Outreach Church began, not so much as a church congregation, but as a place where various ministries would be able to work side by side. Initially, three leaders came together with the same need: a place to house their ministries. Bob Heil, an ex-Lutheran pastor, longed for a school to train leaders and send them out. Linn Haitz, a long-time missionary, wanted to house a missions organization and train missionaries. Ron Sutton, a youth pastor, sought a refuge center for the outcast and drug addicts from St. Louis. In 1974, through many hours of discussion, prayer and searching, the three located and obtained the land that is now Christian Outreach Center. The congregation was a natural outgrowth of those ministries—and others throughout the years—working in close proximity.