Our Mission
Cultivating Christian Community in Southwest, VA by taking the LORD God to the lost and strengthening the body of believers in Christ Jesus. The Christian Walk is hard. It is harder when you are trying to walk it alone. Our doctrine is derived from the Bible. We are committed to the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20. Our goal is to help all of God’s people become stronger disciples, allowing us to better present ourselves as image bearers of God.
FBC St Paul, A Place Where You Belong!
Our Guiding Principles
Agape Love For God and people
Biblically Centered
Biblical Fidelity
This is God's Church, not our church
The church is not the building
Service to God, Church, and Community
Affirmation of the person as the imago dei (Image of God)
Assembly of the Saints for corporate worship and prayer
Priesthood of the Believer
Private Prayer
Intentional discipleship and apologetics training
Small group/ Home gatherings
Adaptability
Any new ministry is worth a try. Invest in what works, but scuttle what does not.
Bold proclamation of faith
EXCERPTS FROM OUR CONSTITUTION
STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Holy Bible is the inspired word of God and is the basis for any statement of faith. We band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind. The ordinances of the Church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
For the Advancement of this Church: We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this Church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines.
As Christian Stewards: To contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expense of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
Alone and at Home; We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances.
Before the World: To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to use our influence to combat the abuse of drugs and the spread of pornography; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.
Toward One Another: We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and curtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour, to secure it without delay.
When We Move: Moreover, we engage that when we move from this place we, as soon as possible, unite with some other Church, were we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word. .
GOD LOVES YOU
God loves each and every one of us. Unfortunately, we suffer from the condition of sin that keeps us separate from Him.
Ephesians 2:4-5, Roans 3:10, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23
WE NEED A SAVIOR
Try as we might, we cannot save ourselves. That sin that we struggle with is nothing that we can overcome ourselves. Our efforts to be "good people" will not gain us entry to heaven.
Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Romans 4:4-5
JESUS IS SAVIOR
Thankfully, God sent us a Savior in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is fully God, but fully human. He lived a sinless life and was crucified by Pontius Pilate. Christ's shed blood covers the sin of those who confess Him as Lord and Savior. There is nothing we can "do" to earn our salvation. Christ has already paid that price for us!
1 Peter 2:24, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21
ALL ARE WELCOME
Christ did not just die for a certain group of people. He died for all people. To accept Him as Lord and Savior, all we must do is confess Him as Savior, pray that He take away our sins, and repent from our previous lifestyle.
When we accept Christ, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us as we walk this earth. As we walk with Him, we become more aware of our sins and closer to being like Him, though we will continue to fall short.
If you would like to place your faith in Christ now, pray to Him and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. He is always ready to receive us.
John 4: 16, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9-1
HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN
A FEW SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER
READING THE BIBLE
It's important for believers to regularly read the Bible. This is our source document on how to live out the Christian faith. It's good practice to meditate on bits of Scripture at a time to memorize. Remember, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He relied on Scripture to fight temptation.
PRAYER
Regular prayer is important. We are in a relationship with God. He wants to hear from us. Prayer is one way we stay in touch with The Lord.
Spurgeon was asked what was more important, reading the Bible or praying. He responded that question is like asking what’s more important, inhaling or exhaling.
JOURNALING
Journaling allows us to take notes of all the things happening in our lives. We can use it as a prayer journal to catalog when God answers a prayer.
SERVING
Believers are called to serve. God did not call us so the we could be attended to. Instead, He called us so that we would go and attend to others. He called us to live a life of good stewardship and service.
READING THE BIBLE
It's important for believers to regularly read the Bible. This is our source document on how to live out the Christian faith. It's good practice to meditate on bits of Scripture at a time to memorize. Remember, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He relied on Scripture to fight temptation.
PRAYER
Regular prayer is important. We are in a relationship with God. He wants to hear from us. Prayer is one way we stay in touch with The Lord.
Spurgeon was asked what was more important, reading the Bible or praying. He responded that question is like asking what’s more important, inhaling or exhaling.
JOURNALING
Journaling allows us to take notes of all the things happening in our lives. We can use it as a prayer journal to catalog when God answers a prayer.
SERVING
Believers are called to serve. God did not call us so the we could be attended to. Instead, He called us so that we would go and attend to others. He called us to live a life of good stewardship and service.
