About Us

We are a community of believers located in the Southwest side of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We are a church family that is passionate about growing in our relationship with Christ.


Our Purpose

At Maranatha Bible Church, God’s word is the pillar of truth that equips us to share the love of Jesus with a world that desperately needs Him (1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 3:36).


Gathering Sunday Morning

What happens on Sunday morning gives energy and momentum to be grounded in God’s Word (Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Timothy 4:13-15).


Engaging with God’s Word

Participating in groups outside of Sunday morning that are intentionally discipling us in God’s word to be more like Jesus (2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 2:2-3).


Serving One Another

Devoted to one another as the body of Christ by serving, loving, and praying for each other (Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 4:8-10; James 5:16).


Pursuing the Lost

Reaching those in our neighborhoods, networks and nations with the message of hope and salvation through Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20).


Gathering Sunday Morning

What happens on Sunday morning gives energy and momentum to be grounded in God’s Word (Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Timothy 4:13-15).


Engaging with God’s Word

Participating in groups outside of Sunday morning that are intentionally discipling us in God’s word to be more like Jesus (2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 2:2-3).


Serving One Another

Devoted to one another as the body of Christ by serving, loving, and praying for each other (Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 4:8-10; James 5:16).


Pursuing the Lost

Reaching those in our neighborhoods, networks and nations with the message of hope and salvation through Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

Our Beliefs

We invite you to explore our beliefs and join us in our pursuit of living out our faith in boldness and passion.

  • The Bible

    The Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice (Matthew 5:18; 2nd Timothy 3:16-17; 2nd Peter 1:21; John 17:17).

  • The Trinity

    In one God eternally existing in three equal persons – Father, Son & Holy Spirit – who have the same nature and attributes, but who are distinct in office and activity (Matthew 28:19; 2nd Corinthians 13:14).


  • God

    God the Father is the Creator of all things, and that in His nature He is, among other things, completely holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipresent, eternal, just and loving (Psalm 139:1-18; Acts 17:29; 1st John 1:5).


  • Jesus

    The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God became man without ceasing to be God, accomplished our redemption through His sacrificial death on the cross, and literally, physically, rose from the dead (John 1:1, 14, 18; Romans 3:24-26).


  • Holy Spirit

    The Holy Spirit is the person of the Godhead who leads, instructs, and fills believers as they yield to Him (John 14:16-17; 16:7-11).


  • Salvation

    Every person is lost in sin apart from Jesus Christ and in need of a Savior. We believe that salvation is a gift of God received when someone is justified by grace, through faith in Christ (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:3-10).


  • The Return

    In the blessed hope which is the personal, imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to resurrect and to receive to Himself all those who belong to Him (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18)



Our Story

Maranatha Bible Church began meeting just over 40 years ago. Back in those early years, we were known as “The Church of the Carry It All In” as we met in the basement of a bank and a school gymnasium. Right from the beginning we were a church that wanted to be faithful to preaching the Word of God and carrying out God’s call to make disciples, and teaching them to obey all that He has taught us.


No doubt God has been with us and blessed us throughout this journey as over the years we have grown in ministries, baptisms, small groups, staff, and facilities. Numerous lives have been transformed by the power of the Gospel, and we continue to send people into full-time ministry or the mission field all over the world.


Most recently our journey has included out-growing our second church building and moving out of a residential area into downtown Cedar Rapids, where God has given us a heart to serve those in our surrounding neighborhood. Whether it be those in the city, in our own neighborhoods & families, or those we work with, as a church we are passionate about wanting others to know Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.


We are inexpressibly grateful for all that the Lord has done and continues to do among us!