What We Believe

About Us

Get to know more about what makes us different.

Our church family is made up of people with different backgrounds, jobs, hobbies, and faith journeys. We believe we are better together and no one should go through life alone as we discover more of Jesus. 
From our weekly gatherings and small groups to special events and missions trips, we believe God is at work in and through us throughout everyday life. Whether you’re new to church, wrestling with questions, or journeying deeper in your faith, there’s a place for you at CoVA Church!

Our Values

Jesus is Our Center


Everything we do points back to Jesus and the mission He has for us. We believer every person matters to God, trust God with all that we have, and are committed to seeing lives changed by the Gospel. God is good and has an amazing life for each of us. We don’t center our lives around trends, people, or preferences but Jesus alone.

Matthew 28:18, Mark 16:15, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:28

Everyone Belongs


We love first. It’s not our job to change people but to love them intentionally and consistently. We embrace diversity and believe church should be multi-cultural and multi-generational as a reflection of our community and the Kingdom of God. We intentionally invest in people and walk with them along their faith journey, creating space so no one has to grow alone.

Mark 12:31, Ephesians 5:2, Acts 2:39, Ephesians 6:4

Stories Matters


Every life has a unique story. We commit to using our story to connect with others and deepen relationships. We recognize that God is still at work in and through our lives. As a result, we choose to speak life, celebrate, and live in pursuit of light instead of darkness as our lives are shaped by God and one another.

2 Corinthians 3:2-3, Psalm 107:2, Proverbs 27:17, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 3:1

Participate with Purpose


We are contributors, not consumers. We are generous with our time, our finances, our gifts, and believe our faith is about more than just a building. From Sunday mornings to serving locally and supporting missions around the world, we say, “Yes,” to what God is calling us to do in response to His generosity towards us. We pray faithfully, serve selflessly, and live open-handed lives that reflect the heart of Jesus.

Romans 12:13-16, Colossians 4:5-6, Hebrews 12:14-15, Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 10:24

Our Beliefs

THE BIBLE
The Holy Bible is the authoritative word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths and serves as a standard for living. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible, and inerrant, reflecting God’s will for us.

2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Proverbs 30:5, Romans 16:25-26
GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the creator of heaven & earth, and the redeemer of mankind. There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and co-eternal.

1 John 5:7, Genesis 1:26, Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19, Luke 1:35, Isaiah 9:6, Hebrews 3:7-11 
JESUS
Jesus Christ is God the Son and reveals to us God’s character. On earth, Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind, and thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. We experience forgiveness, salvation, and renewal only by grace through faith, not as a result of our good works or any human effort.

Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:35, Isaiah 9:6, 1 Timothy 3:16, Philippians 2:5-6, Isaiah 7:14, Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:9-10, Hebrews 9:22, 1 John 1:7-9, Titus 3:5,  Galatians 2:20
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the work of the Spirit in their lives. These works always operate in harmony with the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit is a comforter, a guide, healer, and empowers us to carry out the work of heaven. Through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live in the world but not as the world.

Acts 4:8, Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:1-4, Hebrews 2:4, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:1-2,  2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Peter 1:5
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES AND RHYTHMS
We believe life with Jesus is formed by intentional disciplines and rhythms. Communion calls us to remember the sacrifice of Jesus and respond with repentance and reflection. All who believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized and practice spiritual disciplines, including prayer, fasting, worship, Scripture reading, and sabbath, to become more like Him and live out our faith.

1 Corinthians 11:26, Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Luke 22:19, , Acts 22:16, Romans 6:4 
THE CHURCH
Every believer is an essential part of this body, united spiritually in Christ. God’s purpose for humanity is to seek and save the lost, to be worshiped, and to form a people who are being transformed into the image of Jesus through discipleship. As members of the Church, we grow together in faith, love, and obedience, building one another up through fellowship, service, and the exercise of spiritual gifts as we live out the Great Commission.

Ephesians 2:19-22, Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 5:22-26, Hebrews 12:23
BIRTH TO DEATH TO LIFE
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth to establish His kingdom and restore all things. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures and calls us to actively live out our faith with hope while we await the return of Jesus.

2 Peter 3:13, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 1:7, Matthew 24:30

Meet The Team

Ben & Megan Messer

Lead Pastor

Hello! I’m Ben, and I serve as Lead Pastor here at CoVA Church. I have the privilege of leading with an amazing staff, partnering with our incredible ministry teams, and being a part of the Coastal Virginia community. I love the sense of family at CoVA Church and those moments where we get to discover more of life with Jesus side by side together. I’d love to meet with you and share more about CoVA, our vision, and introduce you to some of the people that make up CoVA Church.
My wife Megan, our girls, and dog Garry, love Virginia Beach. We enjoy exploring new restaurants, spending time outdoors, and getting together with friends. I’m a big fan of coffee, reading, running, cycling, and all things  Detroit sports.

Essex Moore

 Executive Pastor

Joan Evans 

Community Care Pastor

Mike & Amy Davidson 

Missions Pastor

Christine Respess

NextGen Pastor

Alan & Valencia Luce

CoVA Youth

CoVA Board

Brian Evans
Gary Evans
David Derby
Janet Respass
Michelle Savage
Nick Shelburne
CoVA Church is a part of the Assemblies of God.
To know more, visit: https://ag.org