Lead Pastors of Rise Church
Richard and Lisa Gurganus are the lead pastors of Rise Church. After starting with 8 people back in 1995, Rise Church has grown to 1400 members and it is a multi-cultural, multi-site church with 3 campuses in Eastern North Carolina.
Rise Church also gave birth to Peacemakers in South Rocky Mount, the most under-resourced area of the city. This holistic para-church ministry has grown into a Christian School, after-school program, bible studies, summer reading programs and much more!
Pastor Richard’s philosophy is pastor’s are not just pastors of their congregations, but are pastor’s of their community! His greatest passion is tapping into the power of the local church in every community and coming alongside pastors and leaders to see them have an even greater impact for God.
Pastor Richard and Lisa have been married for over 33 years and have 3 wonderful children!
What We Believe
1. The Scriptures Inspired
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21
2. The One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22).
3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare: A. His virgin birth: Matthew (1:23; Luke 1:31; Luke 1:35) B. His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22) C. His miracles (Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38) D. His substitutionary work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21) E. His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4) F. His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11; Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3)
4. The Fall of Man
Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness.” However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:26,27 ; Genesis 2:17 ; Genesis 3:6 ; Romans 5:12-19).
5. The Salvation of Man
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Conditions to Salvation Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3 Romans 10:13-15 Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:5-7) The Evidence of Salvation The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).
6. The Ordinances of the Church
Baptism in Water The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4). Holy Communion The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements —bread and the fruit of the vine— is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4), a memorial of his suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26), and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26), and is enjoined on all believers “till He come!”
7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the continued refilling of the Spirit
To each believer there is available an endowment of power for life and service, which creates a greater fullness of God’s Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 8:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the new birth (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). It is received just as new birth is received, through faith and trust in the word of God (Luke 11:13). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come experiences such as deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrew. 12:28); speaking in other tongues as the spirit gives the utterance (Acts 19:1-7; 2:4; 10:44-46); a greater boldness in your witness (Acts 4:31). This is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10) but different in purpose.
8. Sanctification
An act of separation from that which is evil and of dedication to God (Romans 12:1-2: 1 Thess. 5:23). We grow in purity as we continually submit to and are refilled by the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11; Galatians 2:20; Phil. 2:12, 13). The renewing of the Spirit continues after the initial conversion (Romans 12:2).
9. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
God has given gifts of His Spirit to the New Testament Church for the common good. They are divine impartations expressed through human beings. All gifts operate within the Law of Love, under the authority and truth of the Bible (1 Corinthians 12 and 13, Ephesians 4:11-16, Romans 13:3-8).
10. The Church
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit. Not a building or institution, but the people, who know God as Lord and Savior, sharing their lives and fulfilling a divine command to worship God (great commandment) and make disciples (great commission) together (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:22).
11. Divine Healing
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from and recovery from sickness is provided for all believers in the atonement (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16).
12. The second coming of Jesus
Jesus shall make a visible return to earth with His saints to reign on the earth (Zach. 14:15; Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6).
13. The Final Judgment
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the book of life, together will the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be confined to the everlasting punishment in the lake of fire, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).