A death has occured

Learn about Who We are

We exist to lead people to become fully surrendered disciples of Jesus.

Where did the name Saltbox come from?

SALTBOX Church was launched in September of 2018, as a group of elders charged a faithful but worn couple with a calling from heaven to step out in faith. Here is their story.

Our beliefs

About the Bible

We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as inspired by the Holy Spirit and inerrant in the original manuscripts, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life.

1 Peter 5:6. Acts 2:46

About God

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Galatians 4:19. John 14:20

About Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man.

John 4:23-24

About the Holy Spirit

Individually we anticipate the anointing and gifting of the Holy Spirit which alone can personally prepare and supernaturally equip God’s people for the Church’s ministry to community and congregation alike.

John 3:3, Acts 3:4, Ro. 8:14, Acts 1:8, Col. 1:27, I John 2:27

About Human Beings

We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred, not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature; and, in the case of those who reach moral responsibility, become sinners in thought, word and deed.

Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7; Jeremiah 17:9; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:3

About Jesus Christ: His Work

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood.

Isaiah 53:6; John 3:16; Romans 5:9, 12, 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 21; 1 Peter 2:24

About Salvation

We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit, and thereby become children of God.

John 1:12-13, 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23

About Eternal Security

We believe that those who have been born again have everlasting life and will not come into condemnation, but are passed from death unto life; and that the Lord Jesus Christ gives them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither will any man pluck them out of God’s hand.

John 5:24, 10:28-29

About the Church

We believe that the Church is the spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and that it includes all who have been born again. Its mission is to offer acceptable worship to God and to serve Him faithfully by spreading the Gospel and making disciples of all nations. The ordinances of the Church are baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Matthew 16:18, 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Ephesians 1:22-23, 3:10-11, 4:11-16

About the Second Coming

We believe in “that blessed hope,” the personal return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 1:7

About Eternity

We believe in the physical resurrection of the body. Unbelievers will be eternally separated from God’s presence, but believers will live and reign with Him forever.

Matthew 25:46; John 3:36; 5:28-29; Revelation 20:12, 15

Our Touchstones

At Saltbox we subscribe to the World Evangelical Alliance Statement of Faith, the Lausanne Covenant, and the Apostle's Creed. These documents serve to help us define what it means to be evangelical, and connect us to the Christian church around the world, as part of one body.

Our values

Humble hearts

We believe that Christ Jesus is most powerfully glorified in us as we humble ourselves before him and cultivate authentic relationships with people. We want to build deep authentic connections where we can be known and know others.

1 Peter 5:6, Acts 2:46

Fiercely Relational

We believe that the God of the Bible is relational from Genesis to Revelation. He is most glorified in us and through us when we are most surrendered to him, progressively becoming more intimately acquainted with His person and presence.

Galatians 4:19, John 14:20

Vibrant Worshippers

We believe worship in all its forms and facets is one of the keys to experiencing the fullness of the Lord Jesus formed in each of us.

John 4:23-24

Intelligent in the Word

We believe that life transformation happens most powerfully as we know the God of the Bible, know ourselves within that context, and begin to make applications to every circumstance and relationship in our lives.

John 1:1-5, Acts 17:1

Holy Spirit Empowered

We are all in a discipleship oriented Jesus Journey, seeking the fullness of the life of Jesus, lived in us and through us by the infilling power of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. We are attempting to practice the presence of the Holy Spirit and allow Him into all of the circumstances of our lives.

John 7:38-39, Acts 2:4

Outward Focused

We believe that the Lord Jesus ministers to those people outside the local church, primarily through the local church. We are seeking to empower Saltbox Church (the body) to engage with people who are far from God through evangelism, personal ministry and service oriented outreach.

Acts 1:8, Luke 19:10, Luke 10:1-3

Equipping People for Ministry

We believe that God has called each of us to a unique purpose. Part of our role as a church is to help people discover that purpose and answer their call to Christian ministry.

Ephesians 4:12

Generous Givers

We believe that God is most glorified in and through us as we learn to generously give of our finances, our time, our resources, and our relationships.

Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, Acts 20:35

Creative Innovators

While the character and ministry of King Jesus never changes, the forms and functions by which He reaches any given generation are always shifting and progressing. We will do anything short of sin to reach people with the power and hope of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 2:4

Kingdom Minded

We are growing as a group that seeks and embraces the ever-present reality of the Kingdom of God at work in us "now and in the not yet." We are united with millions of believers around the world, and see our role as part of a whole. We are not focused on building our own castle as much we are focused on building the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10, Mark 1:15

Our pastor

Michael grew up in Wilmington, NC and realized he was called to full time ministry when he was a freshman at John T. Hoggard high school. Michael is a UNCW graduate. Michael is passionate about leading and preaching the Bible in a vibrant Word and Spirit context by helping people to connect the Scripture to their daily lives in very practical ways.

Our Team

Our leadership

Believers who invest their hearts, time, families, and finances in the building of a local church deserve to have confidence in church leadership. People are looking for leaders who conduct themselves with integrity and respect when making decisions that affect their lives. Pastor Michael leads all of our staff and is guided by our Lead Team of church elders. This Lead Team oversees the day-to-day ministry and operations of the church, serves the congregation and are responsible for the development of the spiritual life of the church. Saltbox Church is protected by Trustees. The Trustees are members of the congregation who oversee the finances and direct the provision of the facilities needed by the church. They provide counsel to the Senior Pastor and Pastoral Leadership Team regarding the major financial commitments of the church. The Trustees serve as Non-staff Elders. Saltbox is strengthened by Overseers. The Overseers are current or retired senior pastors of respected congregations and ministries who love Saltbox Church and are willing to provide spiritual protection to the church. They may be called in to help in accountability matters relating to the Senior Pastor if requested by the Pastors or Trustees. The Overseers serve as Apostolic Elders.

See our leadership

Our partners

The church is more that what we're able to accomplish. We partner with other ministries making a big impact for the kingdom of heaven.

Learn more

Our purpose

Saltbox Church is a growing community church in the heart of Wilmington, NC. We take a simple approach to Christian ministry. Our purpose is to: "To lead people to become fully surrendered disciples of Jesus." At Saltbox we filter every idea, program, and budget request through our purpose statement. If what we plan doesn’t help us meet our purpose, then we don’t do it. We gather to worship Jesus, hear the Word of God, fellowship with our family, and breathe in the finished work of our savior.

JUST JESUS. NOTHING MORE. NOTHING LESS.

find authenticity

Wouldn't it be nice to find a place to belong where you didn't have to pretend...because no one else was? At Saltbox Church, you don't have to be cool or polished and have it all together. Just come and "Be."
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You Belong Here

find healing and rest

We live in a loud and fast-paced world with constant demands. With so much noise and clatter, it's so hard to just be still and know...anything. These days, we all have some nicks and wounds. You may carry a heavy burden of past hurts, sickness or even shame. Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

We see you, we are here for you, and there is rest for your soul at Saltbox Church.

have growth and depth

Have you ever felt like you just wanted MORE? Have you come to the end of yourself, and realized that you were missing something? There IS MORE and we believe that God wants to reveal it to you. Saltbox is a Word and Spirit church that teaches the truths of the Bible. Each week you will be challenged and encouraged alongside others who are right there with you, leaning in.

have a greater purpose

Maybe your past experience has left you feeling like a cog in the machine. Do you know that you were uniquely made on purpose, with a purpose? Did you know that part of the role of the local church is to help you discover that purpose and answer the call of God on your life? You are a beautiful creation, made to display God's splendor. We want to help you do just that!