Church in Council Bluffs, IA Logo03V2 Council Bluffs First Church of the Nazarene
Church in Council Bluffs, IA Logo03V2 Council Bluffs First Church of the Nazarene

Who we are

Council Bluffs First Church is a life-giving church in Council Bluffs, IA  that is committed to a culture of love and generosity in the name of Jesus Christ. We are a community of believers who desire to know God more closely.

About Council Bluffs First Church

Council Bluffs First Church is a family-focused, bible centered church serving Council Bluffs, IA. Our heart is to serve all those who come through our doors every single week and lead them to Jesus.

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Council Bluffs First Church is a community of believers. What does that mean, the word community? We believe that together in fellowship we grow closer to God and one another. The bible speaks about iron sharpening iron. We believe that together we grow stronger. We are a community of believers.


Council Bluffs First Church strives to be a church without walls. Jesus calls for us to go outside the walls to reach the lost and the broken. It is there that the lost will be found. Council Bluffs First Church makes an effort to be like the church from the book of Acts, to see our city changed.


Council Bluffs First Church highly values our relationships with one another. We look to grow through fellowship, and ultimately growing closer to God. We value the word of God, and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We look to extend grace to all of the lost and broken, and lead those with no hope to the hope of Jesus Christ.

Core Beliefs of the Council Bluffs First Church of the Nazarene:

  1. We believe in one God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  2. We believe in Jesus Christ that He died for our sins, rose again, and is coming to take us to heaven.
  3. We believe that the Holy Spirit works the will of God in our lives.
  4. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God.  Inspired by God for our inspiration and instruction.
  5. We believe that we are born with a sin nature and that we have need for God in our lives.
  6. We believe that God has given us a choice in living a life of sin or trusting in Jesus. We believe that each person must turn away from his or her sins and trust Christ to change him or her.
  7. We believe that when we turn and trust in Christ the old record of sin is wiped clean, that we are born anew, and that we become a part of the family of God. After being born anew, we need God's Spirit in our hearts. When we make a complete commitment to Him, He cleanses our spirit, fills us with His perfect love, and gives us the power to live victoriously.
  8. We believe the church is the community that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord. It is the covenant people of God, made new in Christ, and called together by the Holy Spirit through the Word.
  9. We believe that everyone shall face the judgment of God with its rewards and punishments.
  10. We believe that baptism is the outward symbol of the inner transformation, publicly demonstrating that we are a follower of Jesus Christ.  
  11. We believe the Lord's Supper is the sacrament remembering Christ's death for our sins.  All who confess Jesus as Lord are welcome to participate.
  12. We believe that God can heal. We pray for healing. We also believe that God can work through medical science.

Council Bluffs First Church leadership team

Church in Council Bluffs, IA Pastor Chris Council Bluffs First Church of the Nazarene

Chris Burrell

Lead Pastor

Pastor Chris is passionate about helping people encounter Jesus and grow in authentic community. A self-described child of the King, he gave his life to Christ at age five and felt called to preach by age ten. Raised in Kansas alongside three brothers and a sister, he grew up around horses and cattle before attending MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU), where he graduated in 2001.

 

That same year, he married his wife, Carly, and stepped into full-time ministry. Together, they are raising two daughters who love and serve Jesus alongside them. Pastor Chris has a deep love for the church and enjoys connecting with people over coffee or lunch, believing that life is meant to be lived in community.

 

He is especially passionate about prayer, seeing it as a vital way to commune with God, intercede for others, and grow closer to the Lord. He also has a heart for the next generation, believing today’s youth are not just the future of the church—but the church right now.

 

When he’s not ministering, you’ll find him enjoying motorcycles, camping, disc golf, and spending time with family and friends. Pastor Chris lives with a desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus—and he looks forward to connecting with you.

Statement of Beliefs

Council Bluffs First Church

TRINITY
SCRIPTURE
SINFUL NATURE
ETERNITY
SALVATION
SANCTIFICATION
THE HOLY SPIRIT
CHRIST'S RETURN

Core Values

Mission

"To introduce people to God's love through the love of God's people."

Purpose

(T)trusting God wholeheartedly

(L)eading others to Christ

(C)ommitting ourselves to holy living

Vision

(C)ommunity - to be sensitive to the needs of our community & attempt to meet those needs.

(A)ccepting - to love the family of God unconditionally striving to build authentic relationships.

(R)eaping - to gather a great spiritual harvest of souls that will spend eternity together.

(E)mpowering - to equip & encourage every member for service in the church family & in the community.

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About Council Bluffs First Church

Council Bluffs First Church is a family-focused, bible centered church serving Council Bluffs, IA. Our heart is to serve all those who come through our doors every single week and lead them to Jesus.

Plan a Visit