Our Story

What We See

In the fall of 2013, the Holy Spirit gave our lead pastor, Marshall Ochs, a vision for a church that would preach the gospel and make disciples. This church would love and serve the people of the North Florida and South Georgia region known as the Red Hills Region. As the vision for this church grew, we gathered leaders, made plans, and began a small Bible study. The Bible study grew into a weekly gathering of teaching and music while people matured in their walk with Jesus. We still meet every Sunday as the church and celebrate God's goodness in our homes during the week.

We love Tallahassee and all of the surrounding cities and want to see the good news of Jesus spread all over the region we call home. We see a church that is learning, loving, worshiping, and evangelizing. We pray that you see it too.

Who We Are

Mission

The mission of every church is the same. Jesus gave the disciples a blueprint for ministry when He gave the “Great Commission” in Matthew 28:16-20. Jesus said, “Preach the good news of the gospel, baptize those who believe, and disciple the new believers to live a life worthy of the cross.” I am convinced that this is a non-negotiable mission for churches. It is the scale for which all churches are judged when it comes to success. The mission of Red Hills Church is: preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and make disciples. 

Vision

The vision of a church is the personal expression of Jesus in that community of believers. The vision represents what the family feels is most important. It is constantly put before the people as a way to fulfill the overall mission of Jesus. The vision of Red Hills Church is tied to the original vision of the early church in the book of Acts. This is because the early church was formed and grew as a direct result of the day of Pentecost. Believers were empowered with the Holy Spirit and moved in boldness like never before. Acts 2:42-47 records the new church growing in their learning, their fellowship, their expressions of gratitude, and their number of new converts. Our vision is “to become a church that is learning, loving, worshipping, and evangelizing.”

Learning Church

A learning church is one that “devotes itself to the apostle’s teachings” (Acts 2:42). There are times for regular corporate gatherings where the word of God is faithfully taught, the gospel is preached, and the members submit themselves to what they hear. The word of God is not meant to be used as a self-help seminar, nor is it used as free counseling to make your life better. When the word of God is faithfully taught, the response is corporate and individual repentance. The teaching and application of God’s word is not limited to corporate gatherings. Members submit to the gospel in their homes, with their families, at work, and in their hobbies. There are times of smaller gatherings (like small groups) where the word of God is taught and members are challenged to live it out. I see members of Red Hills Church constantly finding ways to apply what they learn in corporate settings, small settings, and even in their own personal devotion times so that we can be a reflection of the early church in the Red Hills Region. I believe that the Spirit of God leads people to submit to the word of God. This means that a learning church does not stop with understanding new material in the Bible; they follow the Holy Spirit in ways to walk it out.

Loving Church

A loving church is a church that “sees Jesus as the common ground, they support the body of Christ and their city through giving their time, talents, and money, as well as meet in each others homes and share life together” (Acts 2:44-46). A healthy church sees the gospel message as something that doesn't just save us, it also keeps us. The choice of Jesus to love us at our worst informs us how to live with believers who are in the middle of becoming holy. If Jesus loved us at our worst, we can also follow that example and extend love to those who need it. A loving church cares for the needy, the poor, the widow and orphan. A loving church is active in social change, but only to the point that it does not overshadow the gospel. We are about preaching Jesus above all things. Red Hills Church has been called to show love within the body of Christ by celebrating Jesus corporately, ministering along side each other, and sharing our lives in group settings. However, I believe that the love we have for Jesus and each other will overflow, without measure, to our city. Our church will be known in Tallahassee as one that makes this city better. This region will be a worse place without believers from Red Hills Church living in it.

Worshiping Church

A worshiping church is one that “worships Jesus in their homes as well as in the temple” (Acts 2:46-47). Worship is not restricted to times of corporate singing but is also an overflow of the condition of your heart. A healthy church sees corporate times of worship as a celebration of what Jesus has been doing in their lives all week; not just a time to receive a “pick me up” to hopefully last until the next gathering. The early church was marked by believers gathering corporately in the temple to celebrate the goodness of Jesus with one another. They were also identified by worshiping Jesus in their homes on a daily basis. Red Hills Church must position itself as a church that teaches fathers and mothers of the next generation to worship at home with their children. The job of understanding God’s Word and what authentic worship looks like has been outsourced to church ministries. It has very little impact when only displayed two hours a week on a Sunday. Parents must model worship at home when people aren’t watching so that the corporate gathering is an abundant overflow of Jesus’ great grace in our lives. When families understand a solid theology of worship there is no longer a separation of “I worship Jesus at church, but not at work or at the dinner table.” Red Hills Church believes that authentic worship starts from the living room, not the platform.

Evangelizing Church

An evangelizing church is a church that “has favor with all people, and sees Jesus adding people who are being saved” (Acts 2:47). A biblical church is an evangelistic church. It is very easy to become a church that is inward focused; where everything is built around a Sunday program. There must be a strong emphasis on corporate teaching, worshiping, and showing love, but we see the early church being very active in sharing their faith as well. There must be a focus in the mind of members that the Red Hills Region is our mission field. Acts 17:26 shows us that Jesus decides where we live and at what time period. This means that we have no choice but to see our region as a field that is “white for the harvest.” An evangelistic church lives like missionaries in their city. We take jobs to serve the lost and preach the good news, not just to make a living. We open our homes to the lost so they can see what grace looks like on display in a family. We invite unbelievers to our church with a holy excitement because we really believe Jesus will meet them there and change their lives. Jesus filled His church with new believers in the early church, and He is still doing that today. 

Model

Many churches live with the understanding that if they have a vision, that is enough. If we keep the vision before the people, they will take it and run with it. This is partly true. To understand the importance of having more than just a vision, but also a model for working toward the vision, think about the way Jesus discipled people. Jesus had a vision to “set the captives free...” (Luke 4:18). However, his model for fulfilling that vision was VERY different than other rabbis of His day. Most rabbis would wait for a student to approach. The student was required to prove their worth by how much they had studied before a rabbi would accept them as a disciple. Jesus’ model was to seek out his disciples, rather than them coming to Him. We also see Jesus teaching Peter about faith by making him walk on water first, then explaining why he failed after. Every church must have a clear vision of where they are going. However, there must be a process for how it happens so that everyone understands. The model of Red Hills Church is "grow and reproduce."

Individual Expression

The Individual expression of "grow and reproduce" looks like biblical discipleship. Within the church, every believer looks to the generation ahead of them for wisdom while simultaneously teaching the generation behind them. All members at Red Hills Church are encouraged to seek guidance and mentorship from those who are experienced in their walk with Jesus. Members are also encouraged to spend time guiding and mentoring those who are less experienced in their walk with Jesus. This is the classic model of biblical discipleship and is a sign of a healthy church.

Corporate Expression

The Corporate expression of "grow and reproduce" looks like church planting. The model of our church is to raise up church planting teams that will plant a Red Hills Church campus in every city in the Red Hills Region. Those who feel a call to full time ministry will have the resources and training to spread the Good News and plant churches all over South Georgia and North Florida. 

We believe that success at Red Hills Church is not what you do, it's what you set in motion for those ahead of you. Our model of ministry is based on growing in Jesus and reproducing that growth in others. 

Programs

The last piece of the puzzle that is crucial for understanding how our church should function is found in the weekly programs. This is the structure we point people to when we give them opportunities to celebrate, fellowship, serve, worship, love, grow, and reproduce. Every church follows Jesus’ mission. Red Hills Church has a vision to be a church that learns, loves, worships, and evangelizes. The vision becomes a reality as we work with people in a model of growing and reproducing. When people want to know when to show up, what to wear, or how to serve, we point to programs. 

Red Hills Church has a simple three tier structure for being involved. This structure is based on a large gathering, small groups, and serve teams. Each aspect of our church program points to an aspect of the vision and works to point people to Jesus. 

Gatherings

Gatherings occur each week on Sunday. Members grow corporately and hold each other accountable to the teaching as we reproduce ourselves in the next generation. People new in the faith watch us take notes and worship with authenticity and understand what it looks like to celebrate with everyone together. The primary focus of the weekly gathering is for worship and learning. 

Small Groups

A small group is our way of bringing people together. Our groups are made of a few individuals or families that meet on a regular basis to share their lives with each other. Some groups share a meal, some study books of the Bible, and others gather to spend quality time together. Every group is unique but they all have the same purpose, to help you connect with other people. 

Teams

Teams are areas of the church where members can serve and use their gifts. Every person on the earth has special gifts and talents that Jesus gave us. Our responsibility is to be good stewards of those gifts. Joining a Serve Team is how members at Red Hills Church give their talent back to Jesus as worship.

What We Believe

Statement of Faith

This Church accepts the Bible as the revealed will of God, the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity of statements of faith. 

  • The Scriptures Inspired - The Scriptures both Old and New Testament are the inspired, infallible revelation of God to man and the authority of faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; John 16:12,13)

  • The One True God - The one true God has revealed Himself as the “I AM,” the Creator, and Redeemer of mankind. The one true God has eternally existed in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:1-5,14; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

  • The Deity of Jesus - The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, death and resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God. (Romans 9:5, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:1)

  • The Salvation of Man - Man’s only hope is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation is by faith through grace and demonstrated in repentance. (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:28, 5:1)

  • Sacraments of the Church - Water Baptism: In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and by full immersion. (Matthew 28:19) / Holy Communion: The Lord’s Supper consisting of the Body and Blood represented in the fruit of the vine and bread. (1 Corinthians 11:24)

  • Spiritual Gifts - The Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost and has not ceased at any time in church history. There are a variety of gifts that are empowered by the Holy Spirit, such as, wisdom, healing, miracles, prophecy, gifts of tongues, etc. These gifts are still available to all believers. (Acts 1:8, 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12, 14)

  • Justification- The declaration of being righteous in God’s sight through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. (Galatians 2:16)

  • Sanctification - The act of separation from that which is evil, and dedication unto God. A transforming work of the Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

  • The Church and Its Mission - The church is the representative of Jesus on earth and is to carry out the Great Commission. Christians are to be missionaries where God has placed them. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 17:26)

  • The Ministry - A divinely called and scripturally ordained minister has been provided by God to lead the church in evangelization, worship, building the body, and general leadership of the church. (1 Timothy 3:1-13)

  • Death - When a believer dies, their spirit goes to heaven and worships Jesus until the resurrection and second coming. When a non-believer dies, their spirit goes to Hell which is described as a place of weeping and sorrow. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8, Luke 16:19-31, Luke 23:42)

  • Second Coming and Resurrection - Jesus will return to earth, with His saints, and resurrect their bodies. Those who have not died yet will be caught up in the air and changed. All Christians will receive a new, glorified body fit for eternity. (Titus 2:13, Matthew 24:29-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Jude 14-15)

  • The Millennial Reign - Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth and rule for a thousand year reign. (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; Revelation 20:1-10)

  • The Final Judgment - There will be a final judgment at which all mankind will be judged. (Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

  • The New Heaven and Earth - All of God’s children will reign forever in a new heaven and a new earth. (Revelation 21)