Our beliefs
Who we are
The mission of Converge MidAtlantic is to start and strengthen churches together, here in the MidAtlantic region of the U.S. and worldwide.

Core values
Spiritually devoted
We are devoted to God’s Word and to the ongoing work of God’s Spirit in all we do.

Missionally driven
The mission and message of Jesus drives us. His mission is central to what we are about at the core.

Relationally connected
We value teamwork in all we do. We value the heart and hand and face of Jesus in our brothers and sisters.

Culturally diverse
We affirm and live out as a movement the beautiful diversity of God’s people.

Our beliefs and doctrinal distinctives
The Word of God
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
The Trinity
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.
God the Father
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of all people, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to Earth.
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide.
Regeneration
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
The Church
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.
Christian conduct
We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God and the well-being of others; that their conduct should be blameless before the world; that they should be faithful stewards of their possessions; and that they should seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.
The ordinances
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Religious liberty
We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other.
Church cooperation
We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether it is the conference or a district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis.
The last things
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to Earth and the establishment of His Kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.
Adopted by the Baptist General Conference in 1951, reaffirmed in 1990 and amended in 1997. Read the Converge documents, policies, and resolutions to learn more about our beliefs.
Further doctrinal statements
Learn about what we believe and the foundational truths that drive Converge and our ministries. Historical information can be found in Converge’s governing documents, policies, and resolutions on various topics.

Stay true to your unique calling.
Just don’t go it alone.
If you want help starting a church, strengthening your church, or reaching unreached people groups with the gospel, let’s talk.


Fall Festival Follow Up Plan
Many churches host a fall festival as an alternative to Halloween and a way to attract people in the community to the church. However, most churches fail to fully leverage the event to get the most out of it because they don’t have a follow-up strategy. Taking a few minutes to think through how follow […]

eBook: When The Culture Trembles
When the Culture Trembles: A Pastor’s Guide to Speaking in Crisis When cultural tragedies or controversies erupt, pastors face an impossible tension: stay silent and risk appearing indifferent, or speak quickly and risk causing harm. When the Culture Trembles equips pastors with a steady, biblical path forward. This practical guide walks through eleven key principles for addressing […]

Coaching
Every leader needs a coach. Every leader is a coach. Every leader needs a coachOften ministry can be a lonely journey. Each day brings new challenges, such as managing church health and growth, leading staff and caring for your congregation—all while trying to move ministry forward and avoid burnout. We believe every leader needs a coach. The significance of coaching runs […]

The Anatomy of a Question Webinar
This session will explore the questions kids and students are asking in our churches—and what those questions reveal about their thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. The webinar includes a 20-minute teaching segment, followed by an open Q&A where attendees can ask their own questions. Registration closes on November 6th. Questions:email Kyle Hoffsmith, pastor of family ministry […]

Missionary Discovery & Assessment
Converge’s Missionary Discovery & Assessment is designed to help you explore and refine God’s calling on your life. Over a three-day period, you will be evaluated by professional assessors in 15 different areas. Qualified missionary veterans and professional behavioral analysts administer one-on-one interviews and lead sessions to help expose you to missionary life. You will […]

Church Planting Assessment Center
Converge has one of the longest-running, most influential and highly trusted church planting assessment systems in the country. We offer decades of experience and a contextually current process. Many other denominations and para-church organizations have modeled their process after ours. The purpose of assessment is to reduce risk and increase church planting success. We use […]
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