In 2008, we celebrated our centennial, 100 years in the service of our Lord. The history and spirit of our church is probably best described by Rev. Ed Loew (Pastor Emeritus, who pastored the church for 35 years, from 1965-2000) in the preface to the book published for our centennial. Ed wrote:

First Presbyterian Church of Globe was incorporated in the Territory of Arizona. It had been organized by the Presbytery of Southern Arizona, Synod of New Mexico on May 24, 1908 (our birthday), four years prior to statehood. Globe itself was a young city, celebrating its centennial only a year ahead of the church. The history of the church, found in the Session records attests to her life and spirit of determination which brought her safely through the perils of the Great Depression, two world wars, and the flu epidemic of 1918. In some respects the church tide rose, and fell, in concert with the copper industry. Yet we were always amazed in the era of triennial labor strikes how little effect we saw either in the finances or the membership of the church.

The perception was that our ministry was essentially to the larger community and while the mines were an important part of life, the congregation, to use an old but common expression, did not wear a copper collar.

The mission of every Christian church is to glorify God, honor Christ, and serve her neighbors and community to that end. The early years and post World War II were times of strong growth. The depression era was a time of great leader- ship by the lay people and elders. The last third of the century, having paid back all the grants, interest free mortgages, and other obligations, First Church committed a sizeable percentage of income to local, Synod and world missions with special emphasis on new church development in the Presbytery, reflecting gratitude for the assistance received in her early years.

Because of the mix of business people, ranchers, craftsmen, laborers, and mine executives, the church from its earliest days was a source of leadership in the community. Members held offices in the lodges, fraternal organizations as well as serving the political entities of City Council, Gila County Board of Super-visors and the Globe and Miami School Boards. As a congregation the church spearheaded many community programs like preschool (Globe Nursery School), ecumenical relations (Gila County Ministerial Association), an aged ministry (Ministry to the Aged and FISH), and the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. Its hospitality was expressed in offering the use of facilities to various community groups: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls and Boys, Globe Women’s Club (after their Old Dominion Library building was destroyed by fire), Homemakers, Community Concert Association, American Field Service, Up With People; a rather endless list.

Some of the programs moved on over time. Some were replaced by government funded programs (Head Start and MTA), or outgrew the means of a single congregation. However, the congregation has always found new challenges and opportunities to express the love and concern of God for the wider community in which He planted His church. The Reform tradition which began in Geneva, Switzerland and started the concept of public education as part of its ministry to the community (if the people could not read, they would be unable to read the scriptures), has been well reflected in the life of First Presbyterian Church of Globe. For a hundred years the church has generously used its resources (be it buildings, finances, or members) to do mission beyond its four walls. At the same time it has sought to be the family of faith for God`s people in the church and witness of Christ`s love for all people. Worship and nurture are the hallmarks of her life.

We are inheritors of a proud Presbyterian/Reform faith. We have been supplied resources collected over the past hundred years. We have been shown what a small but willing and determined group can contribute to a community and its ministry among believers. We have enjoyed a legacy of faith and service. We are now faced with the task of passing to the next generation the best of what we have so that they too may contribute to God`s kingdom, not only to enjoy the blessing but to be a blessing in the place where God has planted us. The best way to thank God for what has been is to be faithful to His vision of what shall be. The work of Christ`s kingdom in Globe is not done, and neither is ours. 

Part 1. The Triune God.

We believe in and worship the one and only living and true God the Father Almighty who is all sufficient and who exists eternally and simultaneously in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God made heaven and earth and everything in them by His Word, is revealed in the Bible, and is the source of all life, glory, goodness, and blessedness, and enables us to do the good we are not capable of doing on our own. He is the Alpha and Omega. (Westminster Confession of Faith. Chapter II; Genesis 1:1-2;  Exodus 20:3-4;  Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 47:2; Isaiah 45:5; Matthew 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 14:26; Romans 1:22-23; 8:28; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:7-11; Jude 1:25; Revelation 4:11).

Part 2. Jesus Christ and His Atoning Work

We believe God gave human beings freewill, which led to their downfall because they refused to obey Him. According to His plan, He sent His Living Word, His only Son, Jesus Christ, to become flesh and dwell among them. Through the will of "God the Father," by the power of the "Holy Spirit, Mary gave birth to Jesus of Nazareth, in history, a real human being, and the eternal Son of God uniquely, fully God and fully human, the only mediator between God and man. He is truly the Word of God — that is, the perfect and culminating expression of God’s mind and heart, of God’s will and character — present in the intimate fellowship of the Holy Trinity from eternity and fully engaged with the Father in the work of creation and redemption. He paid the price of our sin once for all in order to make both reconciliation with God and the redemption of all Creation possible. Death had no victory. Christ`s sinless life, His substitutionary death on the cross for sin, and His resurrection have made it possible for sinful humans to have, a relationship with a holy and righteous God. Through Christ, forgiveness for sins, "redemption & justification," and eternal life are available to all mankind but effectual only for those who will confess Him as Lord and Savior. (Westminster Confession of Faith. Chapter VIII; Matthew 1:21-23; Mark 10:45; Luke 1:31-35, 13:22-30; John 1:1-3, 14-18; Romans 3:25, 5:18-19;                    1 Corinthians 1:23-25; 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21; Ephesians 1:18-23; Colossians 1:15-20; 

Hebrews 1:1-3, 7:25, 9:11-12; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:2, 4:2-4 Revelation 22:20)

Part 3. The Holy Spirit

We believe that along with the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit exists simultaneously and eternally as a distinct personality, the third person of the Trinity, within the one true God. He is everywhere present, and is to be worshiped. God gives the Holy Spirit to all who have confessed Christ as Lord and accepted His Lordship over all of life. By the Spirit, people of faith cry “Abba” as God’s chosen and adopted children. The Holy Spirit comforts us with the hope of the Gospel, guides us in our daily lives, and empowers us to obey. The Holy Spirit illuminates God’s Word, communicates God’s truth, convicts us of sin, regenerates our spirits, enables us to repent, sanctifies us for God’s holy purposes, and anoints us for ministry and the proclamation of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit is the power of God that makes faith real in our lives, seals our faith, and unites us with Christ and with the church, the Body of Christ. The Spirit teaches and leads believers in God’s right ways and empowers them to love and serve God. We ascribe all majesty, glory, and power to God, the Father; God, the Son; and God the Holy Spirit. (Westminster Confession of Faith. Chapter IX; Psalm 139:7-10; John 14:26, 15:26; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:29; 

1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 6:11; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:4-6, 13-14; 2:10; Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).

 Part 4. The Authority of Scripture

We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are God’s uniquely revealed and authoritative written Word, given to us through the agency of human authors who were guided and inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is the whole counsel of God and the church’s first and final authority in all areas of faith and life for all people in every age. It is God’s Word to us about the divine will and the divine way, about the brokenness of the human condition, and God’s saving acts. The authority of the Holy Scriptures depends wholly on God Himself. God’s Word is unchanging and reliable, living and active,  and bears witness to the living Word of God, Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, God’s one and only begotten Son. Our knowledge of our Triune God is given to us through the Holy Scriptures. There are many manifestations of God`s work in our world but they are fulfilled by his Word. When interpretative questions arise they are to be answered only by other scriptures that may speak more clearly. (Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter I; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 

Hebrews 4:12).

Part 5.  The Human Condition.

We believe God created human beings good and in God’s own image. Humans were created to know, love, and obey God, and to be righteous stewards of creation. However instead of acknowledging, worshiping and obeying God, we stand in the long line from Adam and Eve, our first parents, who sinned and we continue to rebel and bring sin and death upon ourselves and all creation. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). No human remedy can repair the radical brokenness and corruption sin has wrought upon humanity. Human beings are in bondage to sin and subject to God’s holy judgment, which results in eternal separation from God and ultimately being cast into the lake of fire. Without God’s intervening grace and salvation, we are lost and condemned. Just as Satan tempted Jesus in the desert; he still schemes today to tempt people to live this life and eternity without God. (Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter VI; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:1-24; Psalms 51:5, 143:2; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 4:1; 15:19-20, 25:41-46; Romans 3:10-23, 6:23, 7:18-23, 8:7; Ephesians 2:1-3; 2Thessalonians 1:8-9; 1 Peter 1:3; 5:8-9).

Part 6. Salvation by Grace Through Faith.

We believe salvation is God’s gracious work through Jesus Christ to reclaim humankind and all creation from sin and its consequences, and if we ask forgiveness, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins. Thanks be to God. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation since it is freely given by God. Through Jesus Christ & his substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, the gift of God - eternal life, is available to all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and is a gift of God’s grace received by faith. The righteousness of Christ is accredited to those who believe in him, resulting in their right standing before God. Scripture tells us: “In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” "For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to give his life as a ransom for many". "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn it, but to save the world through Him". We all must therefore be true to Him and forgive those who have wronged us. (Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter XX and XVIII; Mark 10:45; John 3:16; 14:21-23; 16:13; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:22-26; 5:1; Galatians 2:16; 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:4-10; Colossians 1:27).

Part 7. Life in the Covenant

We believe by His grace God has made a new covenant relationship with all humanity in and through the Person and work of Christ, available to all regardless of any distinction, but effectual only for those who have received His free gift of salvation by faith, thereby becoming one in Christ. As believers, God has put His law in our minds & hearts. He is our God and we are His people, and therefore we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord over every area of a believer’s life—spiritual and physical; social, including marriage between a man and a woman, and political; intellectual, professional, recreational and cultural; including the use of our bodies, our possessions, our resources, and our money. As an outworking of this covenant, we are to be stewards of all of these things to manifest and extend the kingdom of God in the world, and to bring glory to the name of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Although as sinful human beings we can never perfectly keep our part of God’s covenant with us, we are assured of God`s eternal faithfulness in maintaining His covenant with those who believe. By grace, forgiveness is always given to all who sincerely repent, and while our obedience in these things does not save us, when we turn to God in faith He transforms us, changes our hearts and sets us apart for His purposes. (Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter VII; Genesis 2:24; 6:18; 9:8-17; 17:1-8; Exodus 19:3-6; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Luke 22:20; Romans 8:29-30; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:12-13; Philippians 1:6; 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 2:9-10).

Part 8. The Church and Its Mission

We believe Jesus Christ is the Lord of the church, and as Lord, He calls the church into being, declares its mission, and equips it for its work.  The church’s mission is to proclaim the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, to demonstrate the new reality God intends for humanity through its love for one another and the quality of its common life together, and to participate in God’s activity in the world. By the authority given Him Christ gave His Church the great commission to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything [He has] commanded,” with the promise of His continuing Presence with all His people until the end of all time. This gives the Church a two part mission; to bring the gospel to those who do not have it, and also to encourage spiritual growth in those who already have come to Christ so that they may grow in Christ-likeness, thus making them better ambassadors for God`s kingdom. 

(Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter XXXV; Matthew 9:36-38, 28:18-20; Mark 12:30; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15; Colossians 1:28; 2 Peter 3:10-13).