We exist to see lives changed, community formed and the culture of the Kennebunks renewed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Story
Why does Grace Harbor Church exist? Why does it need to exist now? Birthed in 2024, Grace Harbor Church does not exist because people want a different church. It doesn’t exist because it can do it better than everybody else. Grace Harbor Church exists to meet the overwhelming spiritual needs of a community needing to know and experience the grace of God in Jesus. We exist to see lives changed, community formed and the culture of the Kennebunks renewed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, because that’s what the gospel sets out to do – bring about individual, communal and cosmic changes. It seeks to reorder the human heart to the story we all long for – one of acceptance, love, peace, harmony, unity and beauty – with God and each other. As a people redeemed in Jesus, we have an anchor of hope when our hearts fail us, when relationships fail us, when culture fails us. In the face of doubt, brokenness, hurt, abuse, betrayal, suffering and injustice – the gospel is our harbor of safety that calls us in from the storm and reminds us of God's perfect and unconditional love in Christ. We exist to be all about that message forming that type of culture. In the church and beyond.
Our Mission
Faith meets community without judgment. This is the mission we hope to be all about. Jesus invites as we are but doesn’t intend to leave us that way. As we follow Jesus together, we’re invited continually by Jesus into a space of rest, not condemnation. Belonging, not exclusion. Honesty, with no facades. And most importantly – a judgment free zone, as we step into a life breathing the oxygen of God’s grace.
Our Values
Core values define what matters most for any church or organization. They guide us in making decisions, dealing with problems and building and maintaining relationships. They are more than words or pithy sayings. They are what truly matters to us and the means through which we filter every ministry decision and action.Grace Harbor Church will be committed to (6) values:
Authenticity. God is light. And he welcomes us to step into the light of real, transparent life. As we are.
Love. Jesus summed it up best: love God and love people.
Grace. God accepts the unacceptable. We want to mirror God in a culture of grace.
Patience. God is not in a rush with us. We don’t rush to conclusions.
Humility. It’s not about us. It’s a joy to go low. The recognition belongs to God.
Simplicity. We don’t want to overcomplicate this. Worship. Relationships. Love. Less is more.
The Distinctives
What makes Grace Harbor Church unique? We believe that different churches exist to reach different types of people. And one of the best ways to reach people with the gospel is through the starting of new churches, with different and distinct attributes that connect to people in our culture.Grace Harbor Church holds tight to (4) specific distinctives.
Church is more than an event. The New Testament speaks to the church as a community, even using the metaphor of family. The church is a people, in community being formed, shaped, nurtured, encouraged and grown by God’s Word through God’s people. It is a people we join, not just an event to attend.
Relationships. Relationships drive discipleship. Bible studies are helpful. But disciples are made, matured and multiplied in the context of relationships. Discipleship isn’t about information but transformation, becoming more like Jesus.
Forgiveness. Forgiveness is not an option. God forgives. It’s a done deal in Jesus, no matter how much we mess up. We are to embrace the hard but necessary work of forgiveness – always remembering the grounds of our forgiveness.
Less is more. In a culture of hurry and anxiety, we want a space for rest and creativity. More gets done in less, in healthier and happier ways.
Core Beliefs
Grace Harbor sits among the crowd of historic Christianity. We believe and confess the Apostles and Nicene Creeds. Members of Grace Harbor Church must affirm our Statement of Faith, which you can access below.
