At City On A Hill, we are called to be a light in Midtown Manhattan, reflecting the hope and grace of Jesus Christ in the heart of one of the world’s most influential cities. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus calls His followers “the light of the world,” urging us to shine His light so that others may see and glorify our Father in heaven. As a church, we take this calling seriously, seeking to illuminate the truth of the gospel through our worship, community, and service to our neighbors.

Midtown is a place of energy, creativity, and diversity, but also one of profound spiritual and emotional need. We believe that the light of Christ brings clarity to confusion, hope to despair, and renewal to weary souls. Our mission is to embody this light by cultivating a community that welcomes the weary, engages the searching, and equips believers to live out their faith in every aspect of life. Together, we aim to make Midtown not just a place of influence but a beacon of God’s kingdom—where His love, truth, and grace shine brightly for all to see.

At City On A Hill, we are ultimately for God, centering our lives, our community, and our mission on His glory and purposes. Scripture reminds us that we were created by God and for God (Colossians 1:16), and our greatest joy is found in knowing Him and making Him known. Our worship, work, and witness flow from a desire to honor Him in all that we do, embodying the prayer Jesus taught us: “Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done” (Matthew 6:9-10).

Being for God is not only a theological conviction but also an authentic response to what many of our skeptical friends and neighbors expect from a church. They come seeking to encounter God, and we believe it is our responsibility to make space for His voice to be heard—through Scripture, prayer, and the movement of His Spirit. By being for God, we resist the temptation to center everything on human desires or cultural trends, instead allowing God to define our purpose, shape our community, and direct our mission.

This vision challenges us to live with humility, honoring God’s authority in every area of life, while inviting others to experience the freedom and hope found in submitting to His loving rule. To be for God is to align ourselves with the One who is worthy of all praise, trusting that as we lift Him high, He will draw others to Himself.

At City On A Hill, we are committed to being a community that is for one another, embodying the love and care that Jesus commands in John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” We believe that a church family is called to support, encourage, and serve each other, reflecting the self-giving love of Christ.

In the midst of New York City’s fast-paced, often isolating environment, our vision is to create a place where every person is known, valued, and cared for. We aim to cultivate relationships marked by authenticity, humility, and grace, walking alongside one another in life’s joys and challenges. By being a community that is truly for one another, we become a living testimony to the gospel—a place where people can experience the transforming power of God’s love and find a home where they can grow in faith and flourish in their calling.

At City On A Hill, we are for our institutions—churches, schools, the arts, hospitals, law enforcement, the judiciary, the economy, government, and the state. These enduring structures are not merely physical entities but bearers of ideas and values that shape how societies flourish—or fail to flourish—under God’s common grace. We believe institutions play a critical role in mediating God’s blessings, allowing both believers and unbelievers to enjoy a measure of peace, justice, and prosperity. As such, our church cares deeply about how these institutions influence the lives of our neighbors, and we are committed to praying for them, working toward their reform where possible, and fostering thoughtful engagement with the values they embody.

Institutions are not static; they are dynamic clusters of norms and practices, upheld by ideas about what is good, just, and necessary for society. As such, they reflect the moral and theological convictions—or lack thereof—of the communities they serve. The church’s role is not to become the handmaiden of any political agenda but to herald the gospel of Jesus Christ, who reigns over all creation. From this position, we embrace a hopeful Christian realism: while no institution will perfectly reflect God’s norms for human flourishing until Christ returns, we are called to engage with them in ways that express love for God and neighbor. This means avoiding cynicism, idealism, or utopianism, while actively working for justice, integrity, and compassion within these systems.

Why should the church care about institutions? Because they define a way of life for a society and deeply impact the well-being of individuals. As a community, we intercede for these institutions in worship, offer theological reflection to encourage reform, and equip our members to work within them as agents of renewal. By addressing the norms and values that inform institutions, we align our efforts with biblical truths, such as the dignity of human life, the importance of family, and the value of all people created in the image of God.

The church itself is an institution, but it is also uniquely called to proclaim the gospel and embody God’s love in a way that transcends all other institutions. This heralding of Christ’s reign reminds us that ultimate hope lies not in human structures but in the redemptive work of God. As we live in the time between Christ’s first and second advents, we are called to engage with institutions faithfully and critically—praying, acting, and trusting in God’s ongoing renewal of this broken world until He makes all things new.

We are committed to being for the world, reflecting God’s love and participating in His mission to renew all things. Jesus calls His followers to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20), proclaiming the good news of the gospel and living as ambassadors of His kingdom. This global vision shapes everything we do, reminding us that our faith is not only personal but also outward-facing, with a purpose to bring hope and restoration to the world around us.

From Midtown Manhattan—a crossroads of cultures and ideas—we are uniquely positioned to impact the world. Our calling is to engage with compassion, humility, and boldness, partnering with others to address spiritual and physical needs locally and globally. Through prayer, service, and the proclamation of the gospel, we seek to extend the light of Christ to the ends of the earth, embodying His love for all people and participating in His work of making all things new. By being for the world, we embrace God’s heart for creation and His vision for a future where every nation and tongue will worship Him.