Pastor’s Testimony
I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior in May 1987 at the age of 29. I was raised in a Christian home and faithfully attended Huntsville Park Baptist Church. I made a superficial profession of faith and joined the church at a young age. As a young adult I became actively involved in church work; I served as a Sunday School Teacher, Church Training Teacher, Church Training Director, Deacon, and on various committees. However, Jesus was not the Savior and Lord of my life. Prior to my salvation experience, the Holy Spirit strongly convicted me of my lost condition. I began to diligently search God's Word and pray to obtain peace and assurance. After a long struggle with the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, I realized I was lost. I was relying on my own self-righteousness for salvation, rather than the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. I repented of my sin and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. This decision brought a sustained peace and assurance in my life that I had sought for years.
Shortly after my conversion, I was convinced by the Holy Spirit and Scriptures (James 4:13-17), of God’s call on my life to be a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In June 1990 I made a public profession of this call at Huntsville Park Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama. I was licensed to preach in August 1990 and was ordained into the Gospel Ministry in April 1993. I have served as Pastor of New Grove Baptist Church in Ardmore, Tennessee since September 2005. I believe that the pastor should: (1) Proclaim the Gospel message in both words and lifestyle; (2) Minister to those in need; and (3) Provide guidance in the administration of the church. The pastor should be a person who leads the church with love and in accordance with God's will. I believe the primary mission of the church is to proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to a lost world. Equally important is the church's responsibility to disciple new converts, such that they grow in strength and knowledge of Jesus Christ. I believe that the Bible is verbally inspired by God and is inerrant. The Bible is the supreme and final authority in faith and life.
