Who We Are
At Church in the Valley, we want to invite our neighbors to discover Christ through His life-changing community
Our Values:
People really matter – People are treated with the high value God gives them
We are guided by Scripture – it is the foundation for our church life and ministry
Act with integrity – live the truth about ourselves and the life God calls us to live
Choose mission over tradition – we are flexible for the mission
Equip others for service – prepare members and leaders for their role in the church
MEET OUR STAFF
RANDY LANTHRIPE
founding and senior pastor
Randy and his wife, Cindy, have been married for more than 40 years. They have two adult children, Thad and Lindsay, who are both married. Randy and Cindy are happy grandparents to seven grandchildren. Together, they started Church in the Valley in 1987.
THAD LANTHRIPE
executive pastor
Thad has been married to Gina since 2009. Together, they have four children, Blake, Jeremy, Ellie, and JB. Thad received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in Business Administration and his Masters of Divinity from Northwest Baptist Seminary. Thad plays many roles at our church, including leading our Sunday morning service teams.
MATT SPRANKLE
associate pastor
Matt and his wife Joy were married in 2005 and have 3 boys, Ben, Jake and Judah. Matt’s undergraduate degree and Masters in Education is from California Baptist University where he was also swam and played water polo. Matt received a Masters of Divinity from Northwest Baptist Seminary. He currently oversees our student ministries, small groups and outreach.
WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT...
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1st Peter 1:2: 2nd Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1st Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1st Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
2nd Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1st Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2nd Timothy 3:16; 2nd Peter 1:20-21; 2nd Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and the power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29-30; 2nd Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1st Peter 1:3-5
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in heaven with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; 1st John 2:25; 1st John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15