What does it mean

to FOLLOW jesus?

What we believe:

We were created to know God, enjoy His presence, and honor Him with our lives. But sin—our failure to live the way God designed—has separated us from Him. Sin leaves us spiritually lost, blind, and dead, no matter how alive we might feel. Without God, life is filled with hopelessness and an endless search for meaning.

Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and every human since has been born into it. But God, in His love, didn’t leave us in this broken state. He made a way to restore our relationship with Him through Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Jesus, fully God and fully man, lived the perfect life we never could. He loved the outcast, healed the broken, and taught others to live like Him. But His ultimate mission was to die in our place, paying the price for our sins. Three days later, He rose from the dead, offering us freedom and forgiveness.

“God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)

Jesus is the only way to restore our relationship with God. His death and resurrection are a gift we can’t earn but are invited to accept by trusting Him.

  • Salvation is a gift. We don’t have to prove ourselves worthy of God’s love—He offers it freely.

    “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

    All God asks is that we believe in Jesus and surrender our lives to Him. He forgives us completely—not because of anything we’ve done but because of His grace

  • Following Jesus means becoming His disciple—living like Him and growing to reflect His character. This involves:

    • Publicly declaring your faith through baptism.

    • Studying God’s Word to understand who He is.

    • Living in community with other believers who encourage and challenge you.

    • Serving others as Jesus served.

    • Sharing your faith with the world.

    At NWH, we pursue discipleship together by loving Jesus, living like Jesus, and making Him known. We encourage everyone to engage by:

    1. Attending Sunday gatherings.

    2. Practicing spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible reading.

    3. Serving in the church and community.

    4. Joining a Community Group.

    5. Living out their faith daily.

    “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

  • Yes! No sin is too big for God to forgive. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can be fully forgiven and free from guilt and shame.

    “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

    When you accept Jesus, your sins—past, present, and future—are covered by His grace.

  • God promises to never abandon His children.

    “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
    “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28)

    When we trust in Jesus, we are permanently part of God’s family. While we will still face temptations and struggles, God is always with us, helping us grow in faith.

  • Ask yourself:

    • Do I recognize my sin and understand that it separates me from God?

    • Do I believe Jesus is the only way to forgiveness?

    • Have I trusted Him as my Savior and turned from my old life to follow Him?

    • Do I see evidence of faith, growth, and repentance in my life?

    If you answered yes, you can be confident in your salvation and God’s promise of eternal life.

  • Faith isn’t always a steady journey—it has ups and downs. But salvation doesn’t depend on the strength of your faith; it depends on the strength of Jesus. He is your anchor, no matter how you feel.

Next Steps

  • Commit to come on Sunday to grow in your faith through worship and teaching and be around other followers of Jesus.

  • Join our “Story of Reality” Course starting April 12.

  • Read the Bible: If you’ve never read it before, we recommend starting with the Gospel of John.

  • Get baptized as a public declaration of your faith. To learn more about baptism, click here.

  • Join a Community Group to grow with others in faith and mission. Click here to learn more about community groups at NWH

Have questions or want to learn more? We’d love to connect and walk with you on your journey. Fill out our online connect card here and let us know!

Two people standing in a river, smiling, surrounded by trees.
Speaker on stage addressing an audience in a dimly lit room with colorful drapery on the ceiling.