Our Mission, Vision, & Values
We are called to…
- Mentor individuals into the image of Jesus Christ.
- Strengthen families.
- Impact communities
We are…
a strong growing community of faith-filled believers who live aligned to God’s Word and we make an impact in the lives of others.
Our values…
We are Bible-based
The Bible is our standard. We believe that one Word from God can change our lives, so we teach the Word, live the Word, and we are changed by the Word. Joshua 1:8, Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:22.
Jesus is the Head
We believe that Jesus is the Head of the church. He is the leader and source of everything we need. We consult Him as we plan, organize, and execute. Ephesians 1:22-23TPT, Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18.
We are Spirit-Led
We have the ultimate Helper within us and we engage with Him daily by praying in our understanding and in tongues. We are quick to listen and obey. John 14:26, Romans 8:14,16, I Corinthians 14:15, Galatians 5:16.
We Love People
We want to love people like Jesus loves them. We don’t just say we love people, but we back it up with action. John 13:34-35, I Corinthians 13, Luke 6:35, I John 4:7-8.
Our mission is People
We are driven by a strong desire to fulfill the great commission and to make a significant and eternal impact in the lives of the people around us. We are intentional in creating deliberate and tangible plans of action to reach our town and surrounding towns. Sharing Jesus is our lifestyle, so we look for opportunities to do it every day as individuals and as a church family. Psalms 96:2-3 TPT, Proverbs 11:30, Matthew 5:14,16, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-18.
We are Givers and Receivers
We believe in Biblical prosperity and in the Law of Giving and Receiving. We don’t HAVE to give, we GET to give, and we do it cheerfully. We look for opportunities to give to others and when someone gives to us, we receive it, thank God for it, and give some more. Genesis 8:22, Proverbs 11:25, Luke 6:38, Galatians 6:10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
It’s a Family Thing
We were created for fellowship, so family is important to us (it’s in our name). Life is better when we do it together. We embrace everyone as family and we love to praise, worship, pray, serve, fellowship, and grow together. Psalm 103:13, Psalm 133:1, Romans 15:5-7, Galatians, 6:10, Ephesians 3:14-15, Hebrews 10:24-25, I John 3:1.
Integrity Matters
Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should. We do the right thing even when people aren’t watching. I Chronicles 29:17 NLT, Psalm 119:1NLT, 2 Corinthians 8:21GW, Titus 2:7 NLT.
We Serve with Excellence
We reject mediocrity. God deserves the very best and we give Him the very best in all that we do for Him. 2 Corinthians 8:7 TPT, Colossians 3:23-24, 2 Timothy 2:15NLT.
We are People of Influence
As believers we are called to lead people to Jesus, so we are all leaders. Leadership is influence. We invest in our Impact Teams and we create opportunities for them to grow their influence and increase their leadership ability so they can make a significant impact. John 15:5, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 4:11-12, Colossians 1:10.
Accountability Counts
We believe that accountability starts at the highest level of our church. We are accountable to God and to each other. We are accountable for the people and resources God gives us. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Luke 16:10 GW, Acts 14:26-28 GW, Romans 14:12, Hebrews 10:24-25.
We Value Honest Communication
We practice the “golden rule” of communication, meaning we communicate with others the way we want to be communicated with. Honest communication builds trust, provides clarity, prevents or resolves problems, and creates better relationships. Psalm 19:14 GW, Colossians 4:6 GW, Ephesians 4:15 NLT, James 1:19 GW.
How do we accomplish our vision?
MENTOR:
We mentor individuals by coming alongside them to help them grow and develop into the image of Jesus Christ. Our mentoring encounters address the whole person: Spirit, soul, and body. Each part of an individual needs to align, grow, and develop into the image that God Himself designed, so they can become a fruitful disciple of Jesus.
STRENGTHEN:
We strengthen families by teaching and preaching the Word of God at each service. By praying, praising, and worshipping together, by sharing our journey of faith with each other, and through our various Impact ministry teams designed for the whole family.
IMPACT:
Our ultimate desire is to make a significant and eternal impact in the surrounding communities, and we do this by getting involved in the community and intentionally looking for opportunities to share Jesus.
Impact Family Church
Statement of Faith
We Believe…
THE WORD OF GOD
The Bible is the infallible will and inspired Word of God given by inspiration to men by the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, because of this, it is our guide for life. (See Matthew 24:35; II Timothy 2:15; II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:19-21; and I Thessalonians 2:13).
THE GODHEAD
We believe in the eternal, triune God, Creator of heaven and earth, and all else that is. Three persons, united, equal in every divine attribute, and eternally one in power. Those being God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (See Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 48:14; Isaiah 44:8; Isaiah 46:9-10; John 10:29; John 14:28; John 16:28; John 1:1-3,14; Matthew 1:23; I Timothy 2:5, Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 7:25; John 14:26; John 15:26; and John 16:8).
MAN, HIS FALL, AND REDEMPTION
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God. But through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world: “…all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” and “…There is none righteous, no, not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man to God (Rom. 12-15; Rom. 3:10; Rom. 3:23; and I John 3:8).
Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the Law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Eph. 2:8-10).
THE NEW BIRTH
The new birth must be received by all individuals in order for them to be reconciled to God. Confession of one’s faith in Christ and belief in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead will usher eternal life into a person’s spirit.
WATER BAPTISM
Baptism in water is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord. It is for believers only. This ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (See Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; and Acts 8:36-39).
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a promise from God as promised by Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the New Birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance. (See Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:1-7; and Acts 2:4).
SPIRITUAL LIFE
Having received the initial infilling of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the believer should experience a continual renewing of this power from on High. Coldness, prayerlessness, apathy, idle conversation, worldliness, and a judging and critical spirit easily grieve the Holy Spirit. We are to walk in the Spirit in order to conform to the image of Christ. Living a Spirit filled life means that each believer should continually grow in the areas of love, giving, wisdom, purity, faith, patience, godliness, and brotherly kindness. (See Ephesians 5:18; Acts 4:31; Ephesians 4:30-32; I Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:16-25; I John 2:6; and II Peter 1:3-7).
GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Spiritual gifts are for the encouragement of the believers and a sign to the unbeliever that Christ is alive and actively involved in our lives. The Holy Spirit has the following gifts that are given as He wills to the believer: the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. These gifts should be desired by all spiritual believers and exercised in the spirit of love. (See I Corinthians 12:7-11; I Corinthians 12:31; I Corinthians 14: 18-33, 39-40; and John 15:4, 8).
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe that the second coming of Christ is imminent. The Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then the believers, which are alive and remain, shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, so to always be with the Lord. Following the Tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and together with His saints who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (See I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Titus 2:12-13; Matthew 24:36; 44, Acts 1:11; and Rev. 20:6).
HELL AND ETERNAL RETRIBUTION
The one who physically dies in his sins without accepting Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire and therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or repenting. The Lake of Fire is literal. The terms “eternal” and “everlasting,” is used in describing the duration of punishment of the damned in the Lake of Fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the Presence of God (Heb. 9:27; Rev. 19:20).
THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE
We believe the church should only sanction or conduct a marriage between one man and one woman. God instituted marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family—the basic structure of human society. God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in other than in the context of marriage between a man and a woman. (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:18-25, Leviticus 18:22, Matthew 19:4-6, I Corinthians 7:2, Hebrews 13:4, I Corinthians 6:9-10, I Corinthians 7, I Timothy 1:10).
Who We Are
Our Pastors & Staff
The leadership team at Impact Family Church recognizes that Jesus is the HEAD of the church and He is the source of everything that we need. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ
Maria Murphy
Senior Pastor/President
Maria Murphy is the Senior Pastor and President of IFC. She has been serving in churches since she was a child. She is the daughter of our founding pastors, Jack & Maria DaGraca, and she assisted them in starting the church in 1999. She previously served as the children’s ministry leader, worship leader, executive director, and administrative pastor.
Pastor Maria firmly believes that EVERYONE has been designed by God for a purpose and that our past does not define who we are nor does it determine our future. She is passionate about helping people discover their purpose and empowering them to take steps to see their dreams and goals fulfilled. Her God-given mission is to enjoy the abundant life God has authored for her and to inspire others to do the same.
Pastor Maria worked in healthcare for 21 years in an executive administrative support role. She attended Rhema Bible College in Oklahoma in 1992 and holds dual ministerial credentials with Rhema Ministerial Association, Broken Arrow, OK., and The Worship Center Network, Lancaster, PA. She is a Certified speaker, and growth coach with the Maxwell Leadership Team and is the owner of PurposEquip coaching firm.
Pastor Maria is married to Pastor Eric Murphy who serves alongside her as senior pastor and vice-president of IFC. She has two adult children and one granddaughter.
To contact Pastor Maria, email her at pastormaria@impactfc.org
Eric Murphy
Senior Pastor/Vice President
Eric Murphy is the Vice-President and Senior Pastor alongside Pastor Maria Murphy.
He has been a member of Impact Family Church since 2010 and has served on the housekeeping, children’s ministry, and outreach teams. He’s also served as the media/sound team leader and currently leads “Fellaship”, our men’s group.
Pastor Eric is a combat veteran who proudly served in the US Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His powerful story of God’s healing and deliverance from the effects of trauma experienced during his military service, brings hope and encouragement to others struggling with trauma and other life challenges.
If you ever find yourself in a conversation with Pastor Eric, he’ll probably tell you about his favorite Bible passage in Mark 11:22-25. He passionately shares how this verse has transformed his life and how it can impact yours too.
Pastor Eric is credentialed through the Rhema Ministerial Association, Broken Arrow, OK.
He and Pastor Maria have been married since 2011 and they enjoy serving the Impact Family Church family together, traveling, and hanging out with their grandaughter, Nina.
To contact Pastor Eric, email him at pastoreric@impactfc.org
Christina Clark
Administrative Assistant
Christina Clark is the Administrative Assistant of Impact Family Church. She has been a member since 2005.
Christina grew up in church and has been involved in many areas of ministry. As a teenager she was very involved in her church’s youth group, along with greeting and volunteering in the nursery.
She has worked in office management and bank reconciliation over the years. She enjoys working behind the scenes and this is where she finds her grace.
Christina and her husband Michael have three children: Sarah, Ryan, and Nathan. The family enjoys having friends and family over for cookouts during the Summer months. They also enjoy road trips and visiting new places. She loves animals and has two dogs, two cats, and her daughter has a bunny named Chip.
Jack & Maria DaGraca
Founding Pastors
Pastors Jack & Maria DaGraca are the founding pastors of Impact Family Church. Both were born in Brava, Cape Verde. They were married in 1970. They were born again and filled with the Spirit in 1975 and immediately began taking steps to answer the call that God had placed on their lives
Through the years they have been instrumental in assisting numerous pastors establish churches; serving as associate pastor, praise & worship leader, women’s ministry coordinator, and in other areas of helps ministry.
Their heart’s desire is to see people walk in, and completely fulfill, the plan that God has for them. It was this desire and mandate from God that caused them to step out and start Father’s House Family Church in 1999, now called Impact Family Church.
Pastors Jack & Maria both graduated from RHEMA Bible Training Center and Domata School of Missions located in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Pastor Jack is ordained through the Rhema Ministerial Association.