Who We Are
Our Identity
More important than our history, our denomination, or anything else is our identity as Christians. We recognize we are not perfect people. We are sinners. But as Christians, we are redeemed sinners. We are forgiven and reconciled with God because our identity is found in Jesus Christ. By faith, we are so united to Him, that when God sees us, He sees the manifold perfections of His own divine Son. God accepts Christ’s perfect life as our life. He accepts Christ’s death for sin as our death. And He accepts Christ’s resurrection life as our new life in Him. What makes us who we are and unites us as a church is the unbreakable union we enjoy with our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our History
Veto Presbyterian has a deep and rich church history! She was founded on the gospel of the Jesus Christ,
developed in the context of the Reformed and Confessional Theology, and protected by Presbyterian
church government. On November 27, 1896, 17 immigrants from Argylshire, Scotland petitioned the
Presbytery of Athens of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, to organize Veto Presbyterian
Church. This petition was granted, and thus God’s people were established in Veto as a particular body
of Jesus Christ. By the end of 1897, a building was constructed where the church met for worship – its
membership having grown to 45 members. As with any particular body of Christ, Veto Presbyterian has
both endured the pain of trial and tasted the sweetness of victory. In all cases, ultimately, seeking to
bring Glory to God. Fast-forwarding 125 years, the Lord, in His good providence, has seen fit to sustain
Veto as a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Though it has undergone many physical
and theological developments from the time of its inception to the present, Veto is thankful for the
Lord’s provision in keeping her as a congregation who is faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. To God be
the Glory!
Our Denomination
The term ‘denomination’ simply refers to a classification of something. When applied to churches, it refers to a church’s distinctive beliefs and practices shared by other like-minded churches. Every church has those distinctive beliefs and practices. As part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), we have three central distinctives. We endeavor to be “Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission.”
First, the PCA believes that the Scriptures are not merely a witness to God’s Word, but are the very words of God Himself. As such, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are entirely true and without error, wholly sufficient, and supremely authoritative in all matters of faith and life.
Second, the PCA’s commitment to the Reformed Faith means that our beliefs align with the biblical truths proclaimed during the Protestant Reformation, which in turn are rooted in the historic creeds of the Christian church. This Faith rests upon the Bible as our all-sufficient guide for faith and life, trusts in God’s all-sufficient grace for salvation, and treasures Jesus Christ as our all-sufficient, all-satisfying Savior.
Third, the PCA is a church committed to the ‘Great Commission.’ That is, we are committed to “glorifying God by extending the kingdom of Jesus Christ over all individual lives through all areas of society and in all nations and cultures.” To accomplish this end, the PCA is endeavors to “fill the world with churches that are continually growing in vital worship, in theological depth, in true fellowship, in assertive evangelism and in deeds of compassion.”