New to the faith?
Exploring what it means to follow Jesus
YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE
Maybe you’re curious about Jesus but not sure where to start. Maybe someone invited you to church and you’re wondering what it’s all about. Maybe you’ve heard about Christianity your whole life but never really understood it. Or maybe you’re ready to take a step of faith but aren’t sure how.
Wherever you are in your journey, we’re glad you’re here. This page is designed to help you understand who Jesus is, why He came, and what it means to follow Him. There’s no pressure. Just truth, presented as clearly as we can. Take your time, ask questions, and know that you’re welcome at Valley no matter where you’re starting from.
WHO IS JESUS?
This might seem like an obvious question, but it’s the most important one you can ask. A lot of people think Jesus was a good teacher, a moral example, or a wise man who lived a long time ago. And while all of that is true, it’s not the whole truth.
Jesus is God. Not just a representative of God or someone who was really close to God. He IS God. Fully divine and fully human at the same time. He’s the eternal Son of God who stepped into human history, lived among us, and revealed what God is really like.
Jesus isn’t distant or detached. He’s personal, loving, and present. He knows what it’s like to be human; to experience joy and sorrow, friendship and betrayal, celebration and suffering. And because He’s God, He has the power to do something about the deepest problem we all face: our separation from God.
Understanding who Jesus is changes everything. It’s the difference between seeing Him as an inspiring figure from the past and recognizing Him as the living God who offers you forgiveness, hope, and a relationship with Him that lasts forever.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” — John 1:1, 14
WHY DID JESUS COME?
THE PROBLEM WE ALL SHARE
To understand why Jesus came, we first have to understand the problem He came to solve.
And that problem is sin.
Sin is more than just the bad things we do, it’s a condition we’re all born with. It’s the brokenness in our hearts that causes us to rebel against God, hurt others, and fall short of the life we were created for. Every lie we’ve told, every selfish choice we’ve made, every moment we’ve put ourselves above God. All of it is evidence of sin.
The Bible tells us that sin separates us from God. It’s like a wall between us and Him, a wall we can’t climb over, break through, or go around no matter how hard we try. We can’t fix it with good behavior, religious activity, or positive intentions. We’re stuck.
And because God is perfectly holy and just, sin has consequences. The Bible says “the wages of sin is death,” (Romans 6:23) not just physical death, but eternal separation from God. That’s the reality every single one of us faces.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
THE SOLUTION ONLY JESUS COULD PROVIDE
This is where the gospel, the good news, comes in.
Jesus came to do what we could never do for ourselves. He lived the perfect life that we should have lived. Obeying God completely, never sinning, fulfilling every requirement of God’s law. Then He went to the cross and died the death that we deserved, taking the punishment for our sin upon Himself.
On the cross, Jesus absorbed God’s wrath against sin. He stood in our place, as our substitute, paying the price we owed. And three days later, He rose from the dead, proving that His sacrifice was accepted and that He has power over sin, death, and the grave.
This is what makes Christianity different from every other religion in the world. We don’t have to earn our way to God. We don’t have to be good enough. We can’t be. Instead, Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves. He made a way for us to be forgiven, reconciled to God, and given eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16
HOW DO I RESPOND?
The gospel is an invitation. Jesus has done everything necessary for your salvation—now He’s asking you to respond. But how?
The Bible tells us that we’re saved by grace through faith. That means salvation is a gift, not something you earn, but something you receive. It’s free, but it’s not automatic. You have to reach out and take it.
FAITH: TRUSTING IN JESUS
Faith means trusting in Jesus alone for your salvation. It’s believing that what He did on the cross is sufficient to save you. That His death paid for your sins and His resurrection gives you new life. Faith isn’t just agreeing with facts about Jesus; it’s placing your full confidence in Him.
REPENTANCE: TURNING TOWARD GOD
Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God. It’s a change of heart and direction, acknowledging that you’ve been living life your own way and choosing to follow Jesus instead.
Repentance doesn’t mean you have to be perfect before you come to Jesus. It means you’re willing to let Him change you. You’re saying, “I don’t want to keep living this way. I want You to be Lord of my life.”
YOU CAN RESPOND NOW
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus, you can tell Him right now. There’s no magic formula. Salvation isn’t about saying the right words. It’s about the posture of your heart before God. But if it helps, here’s a simple prayer you can pray:
“God, I know I’m a sinner and I can’t save myself. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I’m putting my trust in Him alone. Forgive me, change me, and make me new. I want to follow You for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
If you just prayed that prayer and meant it, welcome to the family of God.
You’ve just made the most important decision of your life.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I BELIEVE?
When you put your faith in Jesus, everything changes. Not all at once, and not always in ways you can see immediately. But spiritually, something profound has happened. Here’s what the Bible says is true about you now:
YOU’RE FORGIVEN
Your sins (past, present, and future) have been washed away. God isn’t holding them against you anymore. You’re clean.
YOU’RE ADOPTED INTO GOD’S FAMILY
You’re not just forgiven, you’re adopted. You have a new identity as a son or daughter of God. You belong to Him, and nothing can separate you from His love.
THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES IN YOU
You’re not on this journey alone. The Holy Spirit, God Himself, now lives inside you, guiding you, comforting you, and helping you grow. You have access to God’s power and presence every single day.
YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE
Death is no longer the end. Because Jesus conquered death, you will too. When this life is over, you’ll spend eternity with God in a place where there’s no more pain, suffering, or sorrow.
YOU’RE BEING TRANSFORMED
God is at work in you, making you more like Jesus. This process—called sanctification—takes a lifetime. You won’t be perfect on this side of heaven, but you will grow. The Holy Spirit will help you break old patterns, develop new habits, and become the person God created you to be.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
WHAT COMES NEXT?
If you’ve just decided to follow Jesus, you might be wondering, “Okay, now what?”
Here are some practical first steps to help you grow in your new faith:
GET BAPTIZED | Baptism is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus. It’s a way of saying to the world, “I’m a follower of Christ now.” Talk to one of our pastors about taking this step. You can read more about baptism here.
JOIN A CHURCH COMMUNITY | You can’t follow Jesus alone. God designed us to grow in community with other believers. At Valley, we’d love to be that community for you. Join us on Sundays and get connected.
READ THE BIBLE | The Bible is God’s Word to you. If you’re new, start with one of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. The book of John is a great place to begin. Read a little each day and ask God to help you understand what you’re reading. Our resources include reading plans.
PRAY | Prayer is simply talking to God. You don’t have to use fancy words or follow a script. Just talk to Him like you would a trusted friend. Share your joys, your struggles, your questions, and your gratitude. He’s always listening. You can start with our 7 Day Prayer Guide if helpful.
FIND A LIFE GROUP | Life Groups are smaller gatherings where you can build deeper friendships, study the Bible, pray together, and support one another. This is where real growth happens. You can see where a Life Group is closest to you an inquire.
TAKE THE “COME & SEE” CLASS | This class is designed specifically for new believers. It walks you through the basics of the Christian faith and helps you build a solid foundation. It’s a great next step. You can read about our classes here.
TELL SOMEONE | Share your decision with a friend, family member, or one of our pastors. Verbalizing your faith helps solidify it in your own heart and gives others the chance to encourage you.
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU
If you’ve decided to follow Jesus, we’d love to hear about it. Reach out to us. We want to celebrate with you, answer your questions, and help you take your next steps.
If you’re still exploring, that’s okay too. Keep seeking, keep asking questions, and know that you’re welcome at Valley no matter where you are in your journey.
Following Jesus is the greatest adventure you’ll ever embark on. It won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it. We’re here to walk with you every step of the way.
NEXT STEPS:
Contact us | Speak to a pastor
Join Us This Sunday | PLan a visit to valley
Take the Come & See Class | Our discipleship Pathway
Materials to deepen Faith | Resources
COMMON QUESTIONS
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Faith isn’t based on feelings. Some people experience an immediate sense of peace or joy when they come to Christ, but many don’t. Your salvation doesn’t depend on how you feel—it depends on what Jesus has done. Trust His promise, not your emotions. The feelings will come in time as you grow.
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You will. We all do. Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean you’ll never sin again—it means you’re forgiven when you do. God’s grace is bigger than your failure. When you stumble, confess it, turn back to God, and keep moving forward. You’re not saved by your performance; you’re saved by Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
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INo. Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Come to Him as you are—broken, messy, struggling. He’ll meet you right where you are and begin the work of transformation. You don’t have to fix yourself before coming to Christ. That’s His job.
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Doubt doesn’t disqualify you from faith. Even some of Jesus’ closest followers had doubts. Bring your questions to God—He’s big enough to handle them. Talk to a pastor, read the Bible, and surround yourself with a community that can help you wrestle through your uncertainties. Faith and doubt can coexist; what matters is which one you choose to act on.
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The Bible is clear that we need community. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together.” Church isn’t about checking a box or fulfilling a religious obligation—it’s about being part of a family that encourages you, challenges you, and walks alongside you in your faith. You need the church, and the church needs you.
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This can be one of the hardest steps, especially if your family doesn’t share your faith. Pray for wisdom and courage. Be honest but gentle. Share your story without being preachy. And remember, your life will be the most powerful testimony. As they see Jesus changing you, they may become more open to hearing about Him.
Sunday’s sermon
Each week we open God’s Word together to discover what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life. Our sermons are rooted in Scripture and designed to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God, whether you’re new to faith or have been walking with Jesus for years.
faith-building RESOURCES
Scripture Studies, Reading Plans & More
These Bible reading plans and study tools will help you develop a consistent habit of reading God's Word, understanding what it means, and applying it to your everyday life.
Books to Deepen Your Faith
Following Jesus is a lifelong journey of learning and growth. Check out our recommendations on our Resource’s page. These books have helped us understand God's Word better, grow in Christ-like character, and live out our faith in everyday life.
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