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OUR PASTOR

Bro. Chris Pappas

 

Brother Chris was born of parents that migrated from Greece.  His first language was Greek as this was the only language spoken in their home.  He was baptized and raised a devout Greek Orthodox.   Upon finishing high school he joined the Marine Corp.  Shortly thereafter he married his high school sweetheart.  Upon finishing his enlistment he worked as a carpenter, a trade that he had learned from his youth.  

 

At the age of 26 he was suddenly seized with horrible conviction.  Seeing his selfish heart he realized he was hopelessly lost and helpless to do anything about it.  All his good works in which he had placed his trust, damned him to hell.  For months in his misery he agonized seeking the Lord.  

 

One day his five year old son asked, "teach me John 3:16".  As he taught his son, the Word of God began to break upon his mind.  God must love the world he thought, for He gave His only begotten Son.  But He cannot love me, I am vile.  My heart is corrupt.  Then his eyes fell upon the words "whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life".  Can it be that whosoever means me!  Swept away with wonder He cried, I do believe on Thee Lord Jesus!   The love of God flooded his soul and he was soon baptized.  Shortly thereafter he surrendered to the call to feed God's sheep.  

 

This meant going back to school.  After graduating from college, he attended Luther Rice Seminary where he earned degrees, Bachelor of Divinity and Masters of Theology.   While in school he labored four years in the city Rescue mission.  Later he taught Bible in college and seminary.    Presently he pastor's Collins Road Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL where he has labored thirty three years.

THIS WE BELIEVE

  •          God's Glory is the chief end of man, and Christ is to be exalted as the only Savior of the world.  (1 Cor 10:31; Rev 4:11)

  • ·         The Bible is God’s Holy Word to man, and is the final authority for faith and life.  (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

  • ·        The Spiritual transformation in the lives of each Christian takes place through the study of and regular instruction in the Gospel.  (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:6,17-18)

  • ·         The Gospel is God’s means for making Christ visible to the surrounding community.  As such, the Gospel can be promoted by living out the Gospel and sharing our faith through regular and intentional acts of service and hospitality.  (Mt 5:16; Rom 1:16, 12:13; 1 Thes 4:9-12; 1 Peter 4:9)

  • ·         The Church is a unique, redeemed, born-again people that God has called out to declare His Glory on the earth.  (Eph 3:10-11; 1 Peter 2:9-10)

  • ·         The family is the basic unit of society, as well as God’s intended tool for building healthy and responsible members of church and state.  (Gen 2:18-24,7:1; Acts 5:42, 16:15,31-34)

  • ·         God has ordained unique roles for men & women in Scripture.  (Eph 5; Col 3)

  • ·         Marriage is to be a picture and a reflection of the love relationship between Christ (the Groom) and the Church (His Bride). (Eph 5)

  • ·         The Church and the Home are to act in complementary roles to fulfill the Great Commission through both discipleship and evangelism.  (Eph 2:19-21; 1 Tim 3:5,15)

  • ·         Fathers/Heads of Households should disciple all those within their home; engage their children in the life of faith; lead their family in active ministry; and teach their children.  (Gen 18:19; Deut 6:1-9; Joshua 24:15; Psalm 78:1-6; Eph 6:4)

  • ·         Each local church has both the freedom and the responsibility to pursue the mission and mandates of church and home as they believe will most glorify God and fulfill the commands of Scripture.  (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5)

 

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Must we be born again?

Other works of Bunyan

(KJV)

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