Thrive Church exists…
to introduce Southern Maryland to relationship with Jesus Christ.
Our Values
Oikos – “My World”
God’s plan to share His love starts right where we are—in our circle of influence, our Oikos: the people who we live, work, and do life with. He’s called us to grow where we’re planted and to share Jesus with those already in our everyday world.
Partnership – “We Are All Ministers”
At Thrive, we don’t just call pastors ministers – we believe everyone is a minister. God has given each of us talents and interests to serve others. And as we do, we thrive, becoming living expressions of His love, grace, and truth.
Authenticity – “Good News & More Good News”
We’re real about our struggles, because we know the good news that God meets us right in the mess. And here’s more good news – He doesn’t leave us stuck! He brings healing, helps us grow, and leads us to prosper spiritually as we become whole.
Family – “There’s a Place for You”
Jesus is for everyone, everywhere. At Thrive, we are a multi-generational family that welcomes people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, and background. Whether you’re just starting out or well along the way, there is a place for you to belong, grow in faith, and keep moving forward toward God’s purpose for your life.
Our Beliefs
Biblical Authority
The Bible is God’s holy Word. It uniquely and infallibly reveals God’s plan for His people and how to live out that plan, individually and corporately. Beliefs, practices, priorities, and our mission are to be anchored in clear biblical teachings.
Christlikeness
Jesus Christ is the defining feature of God’s will and relationship with all humankind. In Christ is found both newness of life and the highest and clearest example for godliness. People made new in Christ find Him to be the source of faith, hope, and love in both the inner life and in our outward actions engaging a world desperate for hope and life.
Disciple-making
Making disciples is a clear mandate from Christ. This requires a strong missional focus on evangelism and training in spiritual growth and holy living. Done effectively, this will produce and promote growth and health in and among the churches.
Local Church Centered
The denomination exists to help local congregations grow and multiply, be more healthy, and more authentically reflect God’s plan. Local churches are the most fundamental and strategic points of evangelism and discipleship. The challenge of the denomination is to keep finding the best ways to serve, strengthen, and multiply congregations.
Servant Leadership
Wesleyans respect leadership that is placed over them, while realizing that the authority and effectiveness of spiritual leadership is not primarily bestowed, but earned, and is characterized by a loving and willing heart of obedience that serves God and mankind gladly. Wesleyans desire to be leaders in serving.
Unity in Diversity
There is intrinsic value in every person. Biblical unity becomes all the more important and beautiful in the light of the wide-ranging differences in personalities, cultures, races, languages, talents, and perspectives. Finding unity and mutual love in Christ eliminates devaluation and deprivation of life to one another.
For a more detailed look at our Articles of Religion go to www.wesleyan.org .