Our Faith Convictions

“Our highest calling is to be witnesses—steadfast, caring visionaries of hope in a world of shadows; to embody the light of Christ. Doing flows from being, for what we are, we do.” HOWARD BUTT JR.

We are a faith-based organization rooted in Christianity, and our expression of faith springs from two primary sources. First, we hold to the common faith that Christians have held throughout history, especially as expressed by the Nicene Creed and Apostles’ Creed. Second, we are shaped by the leaders and friends who have steered the H. E. Butt Foundation’s unique vocation. We do not have a formal statement of faith that all employees must sign. The work the Foundation does flows from this set of foundational beliefs.

Christ is Central

In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God has forgiven sin, conquered death, and reconciled all things. We bear witness to the reality that through Christ alone we know the fullness of God, and through Christ alone we know ourselves.

Scripture is Holy and True

The Bible tells the true story of the triune God, the world, and the human condition. While recognizing that the Bible may be interpreted in different ways, we see the scriptures as our guide to considering what is beautiful in the world that can be celebrated, what is evil that must be resisted, what is broken that can be redeemed, and what is unfinished for which we must patiently wait.

Creation is a Gift

We are stewards of God’s astounding gift of creation, and one way we express that stewardship is through our relationship with the Frio River Canyon and the surrounding area. We glorify God in the care of this land, and we celebrate the beauty of creation through art, music, and other creative expressions.

All People are made in the image of God

We participate in the mission of God’s renewing work by loving him and sharing his love with everyone we encounter. As every human being is made in the image of God, and as his Kingdom is especially attuned to those people and places that suffer injustice, we seek to attend with compassion to the brokenness in our communities.

All of life is integrated

We believe that God’s work encompasses body and soul, the material and spiritual, the sacred and secular. Having redeemed all things in Christ, all of human life–work, rest, and play; community and solitude; church, family, and society–is claimed and loved by the triune God.

All believers have a high calling

In the community of Jesus there is no ordinary person with an ordinary call. Every person, from parent to pastor, artist to academic, lawyer to laborer, possesses a high calling to carry out Christ’s ministry of renewal and healing in the world through the power of the Holy Spirit.