Who We Are
At A Glance: Who We Are
We are a Bible-believing church focusing on God’s Word and the Gospel.
Our pastor, Luke Vasicek, is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and holds views typically associated with Moody. We are nondenominational, and we like to think of ourselves as a church where people can be themselves.
Our mission is straightforward: To reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to connect believers to one another and to God, and to deepen them in their Christian walk.
Come as you are, we invite you to enjoy God’s Word and living for Jesus in community!
Highland Park Church 516 West Sycamore Street, Kokomo, Indiana, 46901 USA (765)452-1779 church@highlandpc.com Main Service: Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Our Church Doctrinal Statement
I believe that the 66 books of the Bible are the inspired Word of God, without error as originally given. I believe the Bible is the only infallible source of doctrine and practice.
I believe in only one personal God, Yahweh, manifested in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit had no beginning, but have existed from all eternity.
I believe that human beings are in the image of God, but because of sin are alienated from God and are by nature lost and in need of salvation.
In His love, God the Father sent the Son in the person of Jesus Christ. He was born of Mary while she was yet a virgin, and He lived a sinless life. He offered Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, bearing our transgressions. His death satisfied the holiness and justice of God.
On the third day, He rose again, physically and literally. He ascended into heaven, from whence He will one day return to set up His Kingdom on earth.
I believe I have forgiveness of sin, eternal life, and new birth the moment I, in repentance, trust Jesus as my personal Savior. It is not through my good works, rituals, or church involvement that I attain eternal life. Jesus has attained eternal life for me: all I have done is receive this gift.
I believe in a literal, eternal heaven and hell.
I believe that after I am saved, I am to live a life of obedience to the Lord, thus evidencing the genuineness of my conversion. One step of obedience is water baptism by immersion which is to follow my salvation. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but is necessary as one of many steps of obedience.
I believe that every genuine believer becomes part of the Universal Church, and that every believer possesses and has been baptized by the Holy Spirit, but I believe it is my responsibility to allow the Holy Spirit to fill me on a continual basis.
I believe that it is God's will for believers to assemble regularly with other believers and be held accountable to them. I believe the purpose of the church is to glorify God, especially by making disciples at home and through Missions, around the world.
I believe the church gathers as an opportunity for believers to build up and encourage other believers. It also gathers to promote spiritual maturity and to demonstrate our appreciation to God in praise. I believe that God is more interested in my heartfelt obedience than in religion, and that some truths are absolute and non-negotiable. Therefore, I am trusting God to help keep me from error of both belief and behavior.
I believe that God wants to manifest the fruit of the Spirit in my life, and that my disposition and behavior should draw people to Jesus, not drive them away. Therefore, I realize I need to serve Jesus seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, resisting the snares of my own sinful nature, the snares of the devil, and the temptations of the world.
How To Become a Member of Highland Park Church
by Ed Vasicek
Becoming a member of Highland Park Church is not complicated, but it is significant. By becoming a member, you choose to identify our congregation as your church; you place yourself under the care of our elders and pastor, and you can vote on matters brought before the congregation. Membership makes the task of the elders easier: it helps us identify those who intend to settle into the church from those who are undecided or wish merely to attend.
To become a member, we expect that:
you are saved and have a simple testimony and understanding of salvation and
you have read the constitution and generally agree with it. (If you have serious trouble with a particular article, please bring that up with an elder.)
Then you need to share your understanding of salvation with any elder. (The pastor is also considered an elder. For a list of elders, see the bulletin board in the foyer or page three of our phone directory.) If the elder is satisfied with your testimony and if you don't have any major problems with our constitution, he may then recommend you to our elders' board for membership. It's that simple.
We do not require our members to meet certain quotas for contributions.
If your name is on the membership roll of another church, please put a note in the pastor's box. We can send them a letter informing them of the change in membership, if you so desire. We do not transfer memberships because we want to be sure our members profess to be saved by faith in Jesus Christ.
Let me encourage you to officially become a member if you feel God wants you here at Highland Park Church.
A Brief History of Highland Park Church
Highland Park Church was incorporated on January 4, 1949, by a group of 130 who split from a mainline church. Highland Park Church was committed to conservative Biblical faith from its inception.
The church was named Highland Park Church because the fellowship's original intent was to purchase property near Highland Park and construct its building there. Zoning problems thwarted the original plan, but the members wanted to retain the name of the church despite its location nearer to Foster Park.
That same year, 1949, the church bought the Conradt Mansion, a beautiful World War I vintage mansion at 516 West Sycamore Street. They converted the first floor to a chapel. The basement, originally a wine cellar, became the fellowship hall. The third floor had been built originally as a ballroom, but, along with the second floor, was turned into the pastor's family quarters.
In 1954, the main auditorium was constructed. It was added onto the mansion in such a way that the building appears to be one structure. In 1956, the church purchased the house at 502 West Sycamore Street for a parsonage.
The church reached its high mark numerically in the early 1960s, averaging just shy of 200 in the morning service. Its emphasis was foreign missions. A decline began in 1963 and continued for over twenty years. By the time our current pastor, Ed Vasicek, began his duties in late 1983, attendance was averaging in the 70s. The church was filled with older folk; only two couples could be labeled young adults.
Over the years, our ministries have included: children's church, Awana, Bible Clubs, children's choir, home flock groups, prayer chain, library, and the tabernacle replica ministry. We are proud that three families from our church have been called to the mission field and another family to the pastorate.
Our mission—to reach people with the Gospel, to connect believers to one another and to God, and to deepen believers—provides us with a pinpoint direction. We are attempting to improve on all fronts, utilizing every attender as he or she is gifted and able. We are excited and positive about our future!
The videos in the Highland Park Church section of the library have been digitized. Here is a link to that collection.
Highland Park Church 516 West Sycamore Street, Kokomo, Indiana, 46901 USA (765)452-1779 church@highlandpc.com Main Service: Sunday 10:30 a.m.
