Our Beliefs
This statement of faith is our particular expression of the gospel in our community and guides how we practice our beliefs.
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, eternally existing in three personalities: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Love plus holiness constitutes the essential being of God.
(Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus lived a sinless human life. His life of servant-leadership is the model for all who follow. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for all the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will come again to judge the living and the dead, and to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
(Matthew 1:22; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13)
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father, and the Son of God. The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. At the moment of salvation the Holy Spirit lives in every Christian giving them the power for living, maturing them in understanding spiritual truth, and providing guidance in doing what is right. The Holy Spirit also gives every believer a spiritual gift for the common good of the body (to serve and build up Christ’s Church unto maturity). As Christians we come to maturity as we are filled by the Spirit and live under the Spirit’s control daily (the fruit of the Spirit is an evidence of this).
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16, 12:7; Ephesians 1:13, 4:11-13, 5:18; Galatians 5:22-24, 25; 1 Peter 4:10)
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105; 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. Unfortunately, that image has been marred in all of us by an attitude of disobedience we call “sin.” This attitude separates us from God and prevents us from reaching our full potential as human beings.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6. Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2)
Salvation is God’s free gift that God offers us to end our separation from Him and to help us reach our full potential. To experience God’s free gift of salvation we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. By trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness anyone can be saved from his or her sin. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. (We become new creatures in Christ). Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his or her life in faith.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. In areas where Scripture is silent individual believers seek godly counsel from other believers, but ultimately are to be led in these areas by the Lord, to whom he or she is alone ultimately responsible.
Our History
Bascom Community Church has a long history in Bascom. Our church was established in 1871 as the United Brethren Otterbein Chapel of Bascom.
The church’s name has changed several times as denominational divides and mergers have taken place over the last 150+ years, but our commitment to the gospel and saving grace of Jesus Christ has never wavered.
Under the steady leadership of just 10 different pastors throughout our history, Bascom Community Church has been, is, and will continue to be a beacon of hope and light for our small town.
Pastor Dean Durant
Pastor Dean has served in a number of other careers prior to accepting the call into ministry. He earned a degree in Finance from Bowling Green State University and has worked in banking, manufacturing, and education, as a teacher at Wesley Center. A part of him has also always missed being on the family beef farm.
Dean’s passion is to reach those who do not yet know Jesus and plant seeds that the Holy Spirit can grow into an authentic and living relationship with Christ. Having himself been alienated from God for most of his life, Dean understands the hope and joy that can only be found in and through Jesus Christ.
He also is committed to leading those who already know Jesus into a deeper commitment to Him that channels their faith into action.
Dean is devoted to his wife Danene, their son and daughter-in-law Chad and Nicole, and his grandchildren Collin and Zoe.
Dean’s life was changed when he encountered the loving and welcoming reception of Philip’s Chapel UMC in 1999 and prays that all, from guests to members at Bascom Community Church, will feel welcomed and loved.
He believes that the word “Community” in our name is indicative of who we are…a family of believers in Jesus Christ that embraces all, whether they are the lost, the found, the hurting, the healed, those who question, or those with answers.
Daily Devotions
We offer several resources to help you stay connected and nurture your faith. Follow Bascom Community Church on Facebook & subscribe to our YouTube Channel for resources, sermons, and other inspirational content.
Bascom is pleased to offer you free access to RightNow Media, a library of video resources for all ages designed to help you develop and grow as a disciple of Jesus. The online Bible Study Library includes relevant content for every age group or spiritual season.