Donnie Edwards, DMin

Lead Pastor

Brother Donnie Edwards currently resides in Texarkana, TX with the love of his life and soul mate, Amanda.  They have four children Cameron, Blake, Olivia and Gracyn.  He attended Central Baptist College and later finished his Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate of Ministry degree through Patriot Bible University.  Brother Donnie's passion for preaching the word, evangelism, discipleship, missions and church planting is what lead him to begin the Legacy Baptist Church of Texarkana.  He has been preaching and pastoring for almost 30 years and thankful to be planting this church in the city and region the Edwards call home.

This church plant is built on the base of three words Love, Life, Legacy.  "A life of worth living is a legacy worth leaving!"

Brother Donnie is available for preaching appointments, conferences, seminars, church growth analysis and strategy, Men's ministry and revivals.

Preacher@avenueofhope.org

Mark Hall

Worship-Praise Team Leader

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William Shipp

Administrator of Assimilation / Director of Senior Adults

William was raised in Texarkana, Arkansas, where he graduated from Arkansas High School in 1972 and also pursued higher education at Texarkana College. He has been married to his wife, Lesa, since March 7, 2003 and they have a beautiful, blended family of seven children:  Chris, Eric, Amanda, Corey, Haley, Dylan and their youngest Jackson, along with 17 grandchildren.  In his spare time, William loves gathering with his family and enjoys going hunting and fishing with Lesa and his family.

In 1978, he began working for the Texarkana Gazette as an Advertising Sales Representative until he accepted a position as an agent with Allstate Insurance Company in 1982. There, he spent the next 17 and a half years building a successful insurance business, which he sold in 2000 and was in the mortgage loan business for the next several years. In 2007, William returned to the advertising profession with the Texarkana Gazette as a Media Marketing Consultant and Print Coordinator until his retirement in 2022.

His duties at Legacy Baptist Church include:

The overseeing of 21 separate ministries and assisting the coaches of each ministry to fulfill their mission goals regarding their ministry. Guiding members of our fellowship to serve the Lord in their respective gifted ministry, thus enabling them to become an integral part of our church community.

Leading the Legacy Saints, our Senior Adults Ministry, through various activities, projects, events and trips to keep them engaged and active within our church.

williamshipp.legacybaptist@gmail.com

Sherry Norton

Children's Ministries Coordinator

Sherry and her husband, David, have lived in the Genoa community for over 35 years.  They have one daughter and son-in-law, Chelsea and Jeremy Renfro who have blessed them with three grandchildren:  Cheyanne, Channing and JonRoy.

Sherry retired from teaching after 23 years but her passion is still teaching and working with children.  She has an Associate of Arts, Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Masters degree in curriculum & Instruction from Texas A&M-Texarkana.  In addition, she holds an Early Childhood Endorsement, English as a Second Language Endorsement and has a Reading Specialist Degree (K-12).

Sherry coordinates and schedules lessons and volunteers to teach on Wednesday nights and Sundays.  She, along with the pastor, coordinate the annual Easter Eggstravaganza, Back to School Blast, VBS, Fall Festival and quarterly children's choir.

It brings her great joy to see the kids excited and enthusiastic about learning God's Word.  Sherry and David both state that it is an honor to be a part of the family of God at Legacy Baptist Church.

SherryNorton.LegacyBaptist@gmail.com

Linda Neal

Nursery Ministries Coordinator

Linda and her late husband, Charles, were original members of Legacy Baptist Church and have been part of the Genoa community for more than two 20 years. They raised five children: Kim, Cody (Lacy), Kandyce (Buddy), Candle (Mark), and Tami, and are proud grandparents to 14 grandchildren. Linda cherishes spending her free time at family gatherings, engaging in outdoor activities, attending her grandchildren's events, and still manages to make time to connect with her grade school friends of over 50 years.

After a 32-year career in Human Resources/Employee Relations Management, Linda transitioned to a 16-year career in the medical field before fully retiring to care for her parents and late husband. Her involvement in the church has been extensive, from teaching different age groups to serving in various roles like bookkeeping, custodial work, missions, ladies ministry, bus ministry, Awana President, and coaching basketball in the Upwards program. She jokes that she wasn’t good at coaching basketball, she was just available.

Currently, she excels as the Nursery Coordinator for children aged birth to 3 years, aiming to create a welcoming and secure environment filled with care and love. “My goal is to send a message to our church members and visitors to ‘come on in!’ We are prepared, clean, competent and most of all ready to give the children quality care, safety and lots of love. I don’t want our caretakers to be there just as babysitters, but to foster a trusting, safe, loving environment so the children will enjoy their time, love their teachers and learn about God.”  Linda's dedication also extends to her roles in the Legacy Leadership Team, as the church Treasurer, and as a member of Legacy Missions Teams.

lindaneal.legacybaptist@gmail.com

Marla Green

Office Administrator

Marla began her journey with Legacy as a volunteer in 2019, progressing to her current roles as Office Administrator and Assistant to the Pastor in 2024, after over twenty years of working in the field of Medical Coding. She also actively contributes to both the Praise Team and the Media Team. 

Marla treasures not only her professional responsibilities and relationships, but also finds happiness and contentment in her family life. The foundation of her joy stems from her relationship with the Lord, with her husband, Chris Green, of 18 years and their three children - Mackenzie, Kindall, and Cameron. During her free time, Marla enjoys various hobbies, ranging from the adrenaline rush of dirt track racing to creative activities like crocheting, graphic arts, and crafting. Additionally, she takes pleasure in camping and traveling while creating lasting memories with her loved ones.

Marla holds Psalm 118:14 close to her heart as her favorite Bible verse: "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation".

870-316-1914

info.legacybaptist@gmail.com

LEGACY'S VISION

What does Love, Life, Legacy mean to the Legacy Baptist Church?

We desire to be a ministry that reflects the heart of Jesus: being loved by God and loving others, receiving and living out the abundant life and living a legacy worth leaving. We are all born sinners, but Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus Christ is our living hope (1 Peter 1:3-5), the only avenue to eternal life. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." This is a demonstration of God's grace. He not only provides a way, but by His spirit, He makes us an Avenue of Hope to others. In John 6:44, the Bible tells us that hope comes through Him alone. "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."

The foundational verses are found in:

1 PETER 1:3-5 KJV

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 PETER 3:15 KJV

[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

SO, FOR SHORT, WE SAY LOVE, LIFE, LEGACY!

LOVE

JOHN 3:16 KJV

[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 JOHN 4:15-21 KJV

[15] Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. [16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. [17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. [19] We love him, because he first loved us. [20] If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? [21] And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

LIFE

JOHN 10:10 KJV

[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

LEGACY

DEUTERONOMY 6:1-7 KJV

[1] Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: [2] That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. [3] Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it ; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. [4] Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord : [5] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. [6] And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: [7] And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

2 TIMOTHY 4:1-8 KJV

[1] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. [6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. [7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

A LIFE OF WORTH IS ONE THAT IS LIVING A LEGACY WORTH LEAVING BECAUSE OF GOD'S LOVE FOR US AND THROUGH US!

SECTION 1.

OF THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

1. By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God but IS the very Word of God.

2. By "inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old as they were moved by the Holy Spirit in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Psa. 119:160; Psa. 119:105; Psa. 119:130; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44-45; Psa. 119:89; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 3:4; I Pet. 1:2-3; Rev. 22:19; John 12:48; Isa. 8:20; Eph. 6:17; Rom. 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psa. 19:7-11; John 5:45-47; John 5:39.

SECTION 2.

OF THE TRUE GOD

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth, inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Ex. 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; Psa. 83:18; Psa. 90:2; Jer. 10:10; Ex. 15:11; Rev. 4:11; I Tim. 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor. 13:14.

SECTION 3.

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
John 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1-3; II Thes. 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 15:26; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; John 14:26; Rom. 8:14; Rom. 8:16; II Thes. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:26-27

SECTION 4.

OF THE DEVIL OR SATAN

We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels-, that 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 His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy, the lord of the anti-Christ, and the author of all the powers of darkness-destined however to final defeat at the hands of God's Son and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:9; Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4; Eph. 2:2; John 14:30; I Thes. 3:5; Matt. 4:1-3; I Pet. 5:8; Zech. 1:3; I John 3:8; Matt. 13:25, 37-39; Luke 22:3-4; Rev. 12:10; II Cor. 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; I John 4:3; II John 7; I John 2:22; Rev. 13:13-14; II Thes. 2:8-11; Rev. 19:11, 16-20; Rev. 12:7-9; Rev. 20:1-3; Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:4 1.

SECTION 5.

OF THE CREATION

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and 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's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind."
Gen. 1:1; Ex. 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; John 1:3; Rev. 10:6; Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer. 10:12; Neh. 9:6; Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:21-23; Gen. 1:11; Gen. 1:24.

SECTION 6.

OF THE FALL OF MAN

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Gen. 3:1-6, 24; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 5:19; Rom. 3:10-19; Eph. 2:1, 3; Rom. 1:18; Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:32; Rom. 1:20; Rom. 1:23; Gal. 3:22.

SECTION 7.

OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever or can ever be born of woman; and that He is the Son of God, and God the Son.
Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psa. 27; Gal. 4:4; 1 John 5:20; I Cor. 15:47.

SECTION 8.

OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God who, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience; and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is every way qualified to be a suitable and compassionate and all-sufficient Saviour.
Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7; Rom. 3:25; I John 4:10; I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21, John 10:8; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 1:4; I Pet. 2:24; I Pet. 3:18; Isa. 53:11; Heb. 12:2; I Cor. 15:20; Isa. 53:12; Heb. 9:12-15; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:2.

SECTION 9.

OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:3; II Cor. 5:17; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:30-33; II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; II Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13; John 3:8; John 1:12-13; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 5:9.

SECTION 10.

OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

We believe in God's electing grace that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
I Thes. 1:4; Col. 3:12, I Pet. 1:2; Titus 1:1; Rom. 8:29-30; Matt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13; John 6:37; Isa. 55:6; Acts 2:38; Isa. 55:7; John 3:15-16; 1 Tim. 1:15; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4-5; John 5:40; John 3:18; John 3:36.

SECTION 11.

OF JUSTIFICATION

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not on consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:9; Rom. 5:11; Titus 3:5-7; Hab. 2:4, Gal. 3:11; Rom. 4:18; Heb. 10:38.

SECTION 12.

OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 18:13; Rom. 10:13; Psa. 51:1-4; Psa. 51:7; Isa. 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Rom. 10:9-11.

SECTION 13.

OF THE CHURCH

We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated together by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders and deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures; we believe that the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission; First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build up the church; Third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and methods of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Acts 2:41; Acts 2:42; I Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:4, 8-11; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim. 3:1-7; I Tim. 3:8-13; Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:22-23; I Pet. 5:14; Acts 15:22; Jude 3-4; II Cor. 8:23-24; I Cor. 16:1; Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:32; I Cor. 16:2; I Cor. 6:1-3; I Cor. 5:11-13.

SECTION 14.

OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost with the authority of the local church to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord's Supper in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:6; John 3:23; Rom. 6:4-5; Matt. 3:16; Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-28.

SECTION 15.

OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end, that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors, that a special Providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
John 8:31-32; Col. 1:21; I John 2:19; Matt. 13:19-21; Rom. 8:23; Matt. 6:30; Psa. 121:3; Heb. 1:14; I Pet. 1:5; Phil. 1:6; John 10:28; John 10:29; John 16:8; Rom. 8:35-39.

SECTION 16.

OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked, that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Mal. 3:18; Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18; Prov. 11:31; I Pet. 4:18; Rom. 1:17; I Cor. 15:22; Acts 10:34-35; I John 2:29; I John 3:7; Rom. 6:16; I John 5:19; Gal. 3: 10; Rom. 7:6; Rom. 6:23; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matt. 25:34-41; John 8:21; Luke 9:26; John 12:25; Matt. 7:13-14.

SECTION 17.

OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.
Rom. 13:7; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13-14; I Pet. 2:17; Acts 5:29; Acts 4:19-20; Dan. 3:17-18; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 23:10; Rev. 10:6; Phil. 2:10-11; Psa. 72:11.

SECTION 18.

OF THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS

We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily "the third day according to the Scriptures;" that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God;" that He alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God;" "that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" - bodily, personally and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first;" that the living saints "shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of' an eye, at the last trump;" "That the Lord shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David;" and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet."
Matt. 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2, 4-6; Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 8:1; Heb. 12:2; Heb. 8:6; I Tim. 2:5; I John 2:1; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 5:9-10; John 14:3; I Thes. 4:16; Matt. 24:27; Matt. 25:13, Jas. 5:8; Matt. 24:42; Heb. 9:28; I Thes. 4:16; I Cor. 15:42-44; I Cor. 15:52; I Cor. 15:51-52; I Thes. 4:17; Phil. 3:20-21; Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; I Cor. 15:25; Isa. 32:1; Isa. 11:4-5; Psa. 72:8; Rev. 20:1-4; Rev. 20:6.

SECTION 19.

OF MISSIONS

The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the churches. Matt. 28:18-20: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. "Mark 16:15: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. "John 20:21: "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. "Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Rom. 10:13-15: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not -believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. "

SECTION 20.

OF THE GRACE OF GIVING

Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith. II Cor. 8:7: "Therefore as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. "We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week.
I Cor. 16:2: "Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."

Under grace we give, and do not pay, the tithe - "Abraham GAVE a tenth part of all" - "Abraham GAVE the tenth of the spoils" - Hebrews 7:2-4 - and this was four hundred years before the law, and is confirmed in the New Testament; Jesus said concerning the tithe, "These ye ought to have done" - Matt. 23:23.We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church. Lev. 27:30: "The tithe is the Lord's. "Mal. 3:10: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
In the New Testament the storehouse was the common treasury of the church.
Acts 4:34, 35, 37: "And brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles' feet . . . Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."

Note:
We believe that marriage is between one man and one woman as ordained by God.
We do not agree nor participate with the modern charismatic movement.
We do not support the Calvinism movement.