Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Partner?
A Partner is a proven American missionary who works with us to train, select, and supervise national missionary church planters.
2. What is a Pioneer?
A Pioneer is a national missionary church planter.
3. What organization controls Global Baptist Church Planters?
Global Baptist Church Planters is a ministry of Peachtree Road Baptist Church in Suwanee, GA.
4. How much support does each Pioneer receive per month?
Monthly support levels are determined jointly by Global Baptist Church Planters and our Partners. Several factors are considered, including average wages in the region and expenses associated with starting a church in that particular location. In an effort to encourage Pioneers to become autonomous, their support is decreased over a one to three year period. Most of our Pioneers can be fully supported for $100 to $500 per month (based on location).
5. Is Global Baptist Church Planters a local church ministry?
Global Baptist Church Planters is a ministry of Peachtree Road Baptist Church a local church in Suwanee, GA. We also work through local churches led by American missionaries (our Partners) on the mission field. We feel that working through local churches– both at home and on the foreign field –will maximize the long term impact of this ministry.
6. Who is Pastor Reed?
Pastor Reed serves as the director of Global Baptist Church Planters and represents the ministry to other churches. Jay is the Senior Pastor of Peachtree Road Baptist Church in Suwanee, Georgia. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Pastoral Theology from Hyles-Anderson College in 1995. Pastor Reed has also taught at Providence Baptist College and has served as youth pastor and associate pastor in other ministries. He and his wife Shannon have been blessed with six children, the youngest of which is in Heaven.
7. How can Global Baptist Church Planters sponsor a Pioneer and his family for only $1,200 to $6,000 per year (based on location) when it takes about $40,000 per year to support an American missionary family?
The living conditions of a Pioneer, compared to an American missionary, are immensely different. In most of the areas where we support Pioneers, a Pioneer and his family are able to live and start a ministry on about eight to fifteen dollars a day. In most cases, this is approximately the same per capita income as the people to whom they minister. American missionaries are faced with many expenses that do not apply to Pioneers: deputation for two to three years, international air travel including unexpected travel for funerals, illness, etc., language schools, shipping possessions to the field, special English-schooling needs for their children, visa and other legal fees, requirements to pay taxes in their home country, and furloughs to visit supporters.
8. What advantages do Pioneers have?
Pioneers (national pastors) have little likelihood of being asked to leave the country if the political situation changes. Unlike American missionaries, they experience no culture shock and have no need to attend language school. They have no need for the extra expense of American-style clothing, food, or housing. As citizens, visas and international travel are not needed.
9. What system of accountability is in place for Global Baptist Church Planters Pioneers?
Each Partner works with his Pioneers to develop individual plans to reach their areas. The Pioneers are directly accountable to our Partner. Each month, they must submit a report giving weekly details such as: how many hours he personally spent soulwinning, how many souls were won to Christ, church attendance for each service, how many new converts were baptized, special prayer requests, blessings the mission church received that month, and any special meetings held during the month. In addition to the monthly report, each Pioneer must send at least one photo of a church service. Many Pioneers send multiple photos and monthly prayer letters. In addition to written reports, Pioneers are visited by our Partners and staff to ensure that their works mirror their reports.
10. How does Global Baptist Church Planters choose Partners?
Global Baptist Church Planters chooses to work closely with American missionaries who are well-known for faithfulness, consistency, and successful ministries on their foreign fields. We then partner with these men who are well-trained, doctrinally sound, and experienced in the ministry. Our Partners have already built successful works without our help, and it is a privilege for us to have a small part in their ministries. Partners make Global Baptist Church Planters successful, and they are a reflection of our values and goals.
11. How does Global Baptist Church Planters choose Pioneers?
Thousands of nationals attend reputable Bible colleges worldwide. During their three to four years of training, our Partners work with them, help to develop their character, and watch to see the working of God in their hearts and lives. By graduation, the Lord will have called many to work in particular areas. Those judged to be faithful, godly and dedicated to winning and training souls are recommended by their Partner to be taken on for support as a Pioneer.
12. How do Partners ensure my donation is spent wisely?
Partners (and their staff) are responsible to oversee and maintain accountability of the Pioneers under their ministries. Partners oversee all areas of doctrine, Christian morals, and the practical operation of a Pioneer's ministry. If ever the occasion arose to discontinue a Pioneer's support, Global Baptist Church Partners would consult with our Partner, and Global reserves the right to discontinue support.
13. Do you conduct financial reviews?
Yes. All financial records are reviewed in-house. Results are published on the website as they become available. All financial support is channeled from supporters through GLOBAL BAPTIST CHURCH PLANTERS to our Partners. In addition to the financial reviews in America, all Partners open their books to ensure that every dollar intended for our Pioneers reaches them.
14. Why is this concept different from traditional missions?
Global Baptist Church Planters is intended only as an enhancement, not a replacement, of traditional missions programs. We assist established American missionaries who train nationals and help them start churches in less time.
15. How does Global Baptist Church Planters operate its office?
100% of every contribution designated for Pioneers’ support goes to the mission field. All Global Baptist Church Planters staff raise their own support, and many donors designate contributions for the administrative needs of our ministry.
16. When will Pioneers be totally supported by their established local church?
We work with our Partners to develop financial plans for their Pioneers. Financial support is structured so that each Pioneer reaches total independent church-funded support in three years.
17. Is $50 per month enough to fully support a Pioneer?
It takes between $100 to $500 per month to fully support a Pioneer in most parts of the world, including personal support and ministerial expenses. It is our policy to assign several sponsors to each Pioneer in $50 increments to reach their full support. Dividing a Pioneer's support among multiple sponsors provides for greater prayer support (and prevents a complete loss of income in the event a sponsor must discontinue their support).
18. How will I receive news from my Pioneer?
We desire to keep you updated on your Pioneer's ministry. Important information, such as their church attendance and number of people saved and baptized through their ministry, will be posted on our website as results are received. When you sponsor a Pioneer, you will receive his testimony and photo along with information about the area in which he is planting a church. You will also receive an annual update on his ministry's progress.
19. How do I contact Global Baptist Church Planters?
Our Address:
PO Box 2703
Suwanee, GA 30024
Our Phone: 678-765-6720
Email: info@globalbaptist.net
Articles of Faith
We believe the following:
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was divinely inspired by God and given to man as the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man. By the "Holy Bible," we mean that collection of sixty-six books (Genesis to Revelation) of the Old and New Testaments, which we believe is the very Word of God. We believe God has supernaturally and providentially preserved His Word, without error, for us today in the AV 1611 (King James Version) of the Bible. We believe that this preserved Bible is the final authority for us in all matters of faith, doctrine, and practice. Finally, we believe that Christians should not only believe the Book but also do what it commands and teaches. (Psalm 12:6-7; 11 Timothy 3:15-17; James 1:22-25; ll Peter 1:21)
The True God
We believe that there is but one true and living God, eternally existing and manifesting Himself to us in three divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who are equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 45:21-22; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; 14:10, 26; 15:26; I John 5:7)
The Son of God
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, eternal with the Father, was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, and is both the Son of God and God the Son. He is both true man and true God; one person with two natures tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1, 2, 14; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 4:14-15)
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, converts the repentant sinner and places him into Christ, seals the believer, interprets the Scripture, and endues God's children with power to be bold witnesses. (John 16:8-11; John 3:5-6; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14)
Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels. He is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and Jesus Christ, the accuser of the brethren, and the author of all false religions. He is destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God's Son and the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire, a place prepared for him and for his angels, as well as all of the unbelievers of the ages. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; John 8:44; II Corinthians 4:4; I Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:9-10; 20:10)
Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted literally, not allegorically or figuratively, that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness, that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary changes of species or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms, that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God established that they should bring forth only "after their kind." We reject any form of theistic or atheistic evolution. (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; John 1:3; Romans 1:20; Revelation 10:6)
Sin
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin, the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; therefore, all men are sinners by birth and by choice and are of themselves utterly unable to remedy their lost condition. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:l-3; 4:17-19)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace. It is received by repentance toward God and by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who shed His precious blood on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again, and the new birth is instantaneous and not a process. (John 1:12; Acts 20:21; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; I Peter 1:18-19)
Eternal Security
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are secure in Christ forever. However, we believe that God's Word clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:34-39; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:30; 1 John 5:13)
Heaven and Hell
We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do, at death, immediately pass into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at the Rapture, when soul and body reunited shall be present forever with the Lord. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery in hell until the Great White Throne Judgment at the close of the millennium. Then soul and body reunited shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated but to suffer everlasting torment. (Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:1-15)
The Church
We believe that a New Testament church is a congregation or assembly of baptized believers, associated together by a covenant of faith, based solely upon the Word of God. The officers of ordination are pastors and deacons, and the Scriptural ordinances are water baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control. We believe the mission of the church is to win the lost, baptize them, teach, and instruct them in the Word of God so that they too will win the lost. (Matthew 18:15-20; 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 6:1-7; I Corinthians 11:20-34; I Timothy 3:1-13; II Timothy 2:2)
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe that salvation must precede water baptism. We believe that Scriptural baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, under the authority of the local church. It is to picture, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, showing forth our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Salvation and baptism are prerequisite to the privilege of church membership. The Lord's Supper is an ordinance in which members of the church, by the sacred use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, are to commemorate the love of Christ shown at Calvary. This ordinance should always be preceded by solemn self-examination, realizing that we are showing forth the Lord's death till He comes. (Matthew 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-31; Colossians 2:12)
Separation
We believe in the Biblical doctrine of separation which encompasses three things: (1) the separation of the local church from all affiliation and fellowship with those who deny the verities of the "faith which was once delivered to the saints," and from those individuals and organizations similarly associated including Charismatics, and Hyper-Calvinists, (2) the separation of the individual believer from all worldly practices that may dishonor the Saviour, and (3) the separation of church and state. (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15; I John 2:15-17; Il John 9-11; Jude 3)
Giving
We believe that God's method of financing His earthly work of spreading the Gospel to all nations, the care of the churches, and the support of the ministry is by the tithes and offerings of God's people given through their local church. We believe that the time to tithe is upon the first day of the week. We believe God has established that the tithe is the Lord's, and every Christian should also give other offerings, sacrificially and cheerfully. (Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8-10; Acts 4:34-37; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; I Timothy 5:17-18)
Missions
We believe that all men everywhere are lost and condemned, and the command to go and preach the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable. God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation and tribe who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8)
The Second Coming
We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ for all New Testament believers. This rapture of the saints will be followed by the seven-year Tribulation. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints to establish His earthly Messianic kingdom which was promised to the nation Israel. (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 1:11; I Corinthians 15:51-55; I Thessalonians 3:13; Revelation 1:7)
Unchaste Conduct
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate physical activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, beastiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography is a sinful perversion of God's original intent for a physical relationship between a husband and wife. (Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:20-32; I Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:l-8; Hebrews 13:4)
Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, inexcusable taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
Civil Government
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority which consists of three basic institutions: (1) the home, (2) the church, and (3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and are governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and has balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:21-6:4; Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 2:13-15
A Partner is a proven American missionary who works with us to train, select, and supervise national missionary church planters.
2. What is a Pioneer?
A Pioneer is a national missionary church planter.
3. What organization controls Global Baptist Church Planters?
Global Baptist Church Planters is a ministry of Peachtree Road Baptist Church in Suwanee, GA.
4. How much support does each Pioneer receive per month?
Monthly support levels are determined jointly by Global Baptist Church Planters and our Partners. Several factors are considered, including average wages in the region and expenses associated with starting a church in that particular location. In an effort to encourage Pioneers to become autonomous, their support is decreased over a one to three year period. Most of our Pioneers can be fully supported for $100 to $500 per month (based on location).
5. Is Global Baptist Church Planters a local church ministry?
Global Baptist Church Planters is a ministry of Peachtree Road Baptist Church a local church in Suwanee, GA. We also work through local churches led by American missionaries (our Partners) on the mission field. We feel that working through local churches– both at home and on the foreign field –will maximize the long term impact of this ministry.
6. Who is Pastor Reed?
Pastor Reed serves as the director of Global Baptist Church Planters and represents the ministry to other churches. Jay is the Senior Pastor of Peachtree Road Baptist Church in Suwanee, Georgia. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Pastoral Theology from Hyles-Anderson College in 1995. Pastor Reed has also taught at Providence Baptist College and has served as youth pastor and associate pastor in other ministries. He and his wife Shannon have been blessed with six children, the youngest of which is in Heaven.
7. How can Global Baptist Church Planters sponsor a Pioneer and his family for only $1,200 to $6,000 per year (based on location) when it takes about $40,000 per year to support an American missionary family?
The living conditions of a Pioneer, compared to an American missionary, are immensely different. In most of the areas where we support Pioneers, a Pioneer and his family are able to live and start a ministry on about eight to fifteen dollars a day. In most cases, this is approximately the same per capita income as the people to whom they minister. American missionaries are faced with many expenses that do not apply to Pioneers: deputation for two to three years, international air travel including unexpected travel for funerals, illness, etc., language schools, shipping possessions to the field, special English-schooling needs for their children, visa and other legal fees, requirements to pay taxes in their home country, and furloughs to visit supporters.
8. What advantages do Pioneers have?
Pioneers (national pastors) have little likelihood of being asked to leave the country if the political situation changes. Unlike American missionaries, they experience no culture shock and have no need to attend language school. They have no need for the extra expense of American-style clothing, food, or housing. As citizens, visas and international travel are not needed.
9. What system of accountability is in place for Global Baptist Church Planters Pioneers?
Each Partner works with his Pioneers to develop individual plans to reach their areas. The Pioneers are directly accountable to our Partner. Each month, they must submit a report giving weekly details such as: how many hours he personally spent soulwinning, how many souls were won to Christ, church attendance for each service, how many new converts were baptized, special prayer requests, blessings the mission church received that month, and any special meetings held during the month. In addition to the monthly report, each Pioneer must send at least one photo of a church service. Many Pioneers send multiple photos and monthly prayer letters. In addition to written reports, Pioneers are visited by our Partners and staff to ensure that their works mirror their reports.
10. How does Global Baptist Church Planters choose Partners?
Global Baptist Church Planters chooses to work closely with American missionaries who are well-known for faithfulness, consistency, and successful ministries on their foreign fields. We then partner with these men who are well-trained, doctrinally sound, and experienced in the ministry. Our Partners have already built successful works without our help, and it is a privilege for us to have a small part in their ministries. Partners make Global Baptist Church Planters successful, and they are a reflection of our values and goals.
11. How does Global Baptist Church Planters choose Pioneers?
Thousands of nationals attend reputable Bible colleges worldwide. During their three to four years of training, our Partners work with them, help to develop their character, and watch to see the working of God in their hearts and lives. By graduation, the Lord will have called many to work in particular areas. Those judged to be faithful, godly and dedicated to winning and training souls are recommended by their Partner to be taken on for support as a Pioneer.
12. How do Partners ensure my donation is spent wisely?
Partners (and their staff) are responsible to oversee and maintain accountability of the Pioneers under their ministries. Partners oversee all areas of doctrine, Christian morals, and the practical operation of a Pioneer's ministry. If ever the occasion arose to discontinue a Pioneer's support, Global Baptist Church Partners would consult with our Partner, and Global reserves the right to discontinue support.
13. Do you conduct financial reviews?
Yes. All financial records are reviewed in-house. Results are published on the website as they become available. All financial support is channeled from supporters through GLOBAL BAPTIST CHURCH PLANTERS to our Partners. In addition to the financial reviews in America, all Partners open their books to ensure that every dollar intended for our Pioneers reaches them.
14. Why is this concept different from traditional missions?
Global Baptist Church Planters is intended only as an enhancement, not a replacement, of traditional missions programs. We assist established American missionaries who train nationals and help them start churches in less time.
15. How does Global Baptist Church Planters operate its office?
100% of every contribution designated for Pioneers’ support goes to the mission field. All Global Baptist Church Planters staff raise their own support, and many donors designate contributions for the administrative needs of our ministry.
16. When will Pioneers be totally supported by their established local church?
We work with our Partners to develop financial plans for their Pioneers. Financial support is structured so that each Pioneer reaches total independent church-funded support in three years.
17. Is $50 per month enough to fully support a Pioneer?
It takes between $100 to $500 per month to fully support a Pioneer in most parts of the world, including personal support and ministerial expenses. It is our policy to assign several sponsors to each Pioneer in $50 increments to reach their full support. Dividing a Pioneer's support among multiple sponsors provides for greater prayer support (and prevents a complete loss of income in the event a sponsor must discontinue their support).
18. How will I receive news from my Pioneer?
We desire to keep you updated on your Pioneer's ministry. Important information, such as their church attendance and number of people saved and baptized through their ministry, will be posted on our website as results are received. When you sponsor a Pioneer, you will receive his testimony and photo along with information about the area in which he is planting a church. You will also receive an annual update on his ministry's progress.
19. How do I contact Global Baptist Church Planters?
Our Address:
PO Box 2703
Suwanee, GA 30024
Our Phone: 678-765-6720
Email: info@globalbaptist.net
Articles of Faith
We believe the following:
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was divinely inspired by God and given to man as the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man. By the "Holy Bible," we mean that collection of sixty-six books (Genesis to Revelation) of the Old and New Testaments, which we believe is the very Word of God. We believe God has supernaturally and providentially preserved His Word, without error, for us today in the AV 1611 (King James Version) of the Bible. We believe that this preserved Bible is the final authority for us in all matters of faith, doctrine, and practice. Finally, we believe that Christians should not only believe the Book but also do what it commands and teaches. (Psalm 12:6-7; 11 Timothy 3:15-17; James 1:22-25; ll Peter 1:21)
The True God
We believe that there is but one true and living God, eternally existing and manifesting Himself to us in three divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who are equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 45:21-22; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; 14:10, 26; 15:26; I John 5:7)
The Son of God
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, eternal with the Father, was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, and is both the Son of God and God the Son. He is both true man and true God; one person with two natures tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1, 2, 14; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 4:14-15)
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, converts the repentant sinner and places him into Christ, seals the believer, interprets the Scripture, and endues God's children with power to be bold witnesses. (John 16:8-11; John 3:5-6; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14)
Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels. He is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and Jesus Christ, the accuser of the brethren, and the author of all false religions. He is destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God's Son and the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire, a place prepared for him and for his angels, as well as all of the unbelievers of the ages. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; John 8:44; II Corinthians 4:4; I Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:9-10; 20:10)
Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted literally, not allegorically or figuratively, that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness, that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary changes of species or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms, that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God established that they should bring forth only "after their kind." We reject any form of theistic or atheistic evolution. (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; John 1:3; Romans 1:20; Revelation 10:6)
Sin
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin, the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; therefore, all men are sinners by birth and by choice and are of themselves utterly unable to remedy their lost condition. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:l-3; 4:17-19)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace. It is received by repentance toward God and by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who shed His precious blood on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again, and the new birth is instantaneous and not a process. (John 1:12; Acts 20:21; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; I Peter 1:18-19)
Eternal Security
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are secure in Christ forever. However, we believe that God's Word clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:34-39; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:30; 1 John 5:13)
Heaven and Hell
We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do, at death, immediately pass into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at the Rapture, when soul and body reunited shall be present forever with the Lord. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery in hell until the Great White Throne Judgment at the close of the millennium. Then soul and body reunited shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated but to suffer everlasting torment. (Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:1-15)
The Church
We believe that a New Testament church is a congregation or assembly of baptized believers, associated together by a covenant of faith, based solely upon the Word of God. The officers of ordination are pastors and deacons, and the Scriptural ordinances are water baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control. We believe the mission of the church is to win the lost, baptize them, teach, and instruct them in the Word of God so that they too will win the lost. (Matthew 18:15-20; 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 6:1-7; I Corinthians 11:20-34; I Timothy 3:1-13; II Timothy 2:2)
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe that salvation must precede water baptism. We believe that Scriptural baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, under the authority of the local church. It is to picture, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, showing forth our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Salvation and baptism are prerequisite to the privilege of church membership. The Lord's Supper is an ordinance in which members of the church, by the sacred use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, are to commemorate the love of Christ shown at Calvary. This ordinance should always be preceded by solemn self-examination, realizing that we are showing forth the Lord's death till He comes. (Matthew 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-31; Colossians 2:12)
Separation
We believe in the Biblical doctrine of separation which encompasses three things: (1) the separation of the local church from all affiliation and fellowship with those who deny the verities of the "faith which was once delivered to the saints," and from those individuals and organizations similarly associated including Charismatics, and Hyper-Calvinists, (2) the separation of the individual believer from all worldly practices that may dishonor the Saviour, and (3) the separation of church and state. (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15; I John 2:15-17; Il John 9-11; Jude 3)
Giving
We believe that God's method of financing His earthly work of spreading the Gospel to all nations, the care of the churches, and the support of the ministry is by the tithes and offerings of God's people given through their local church. We believe that the time to tithe is upon the first day of the week. We believe God has established that the tithe is the Lord's, and every Christian should also give other offerings, sacrificially and cheerfully. (Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8-10; Acts 4:34-37; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; I Timothy 5:17-18)
Missions
We believe that all men everywhere are lost and condemned, and the command to go and preach the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable. God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation and tribe who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8)
The Second Coming
We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ for all New Testament believers. This rapture of the saints will be followed by the seven-year Tribulation. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints to establish His earthly Messianic kingdom which was promised to the nation Israel. (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 1:11; I Corinthians 15:51-55; I Thessalonians 3:13; Revelation 1:7)
Unchaste Conduct
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate physical activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, beastiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography is a sinful perversion of God's original intent for a physical relationship between a husband and wife. (Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:20-32; I Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:l-8; Hebrews 13:4)
Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, inexcusable taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
Civil Government
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority which consists of three basic institutions: (1) the home, (2) the church, and (3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and are governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and has balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:21-6:4; Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 2:13-15