Our Mission at Bible Baptist Church is clearly declared by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20

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.

Our Vision

To reach and develop passionate followers of Jesus Christ

Our Mission

To give God the glory due his name through worship; to take Jesus to the world through evangelism; to meet the needs of others in Jesus name through ministry; to develop people who know and do as Jesus taught through discipleship; and to build a common faith through fellowship.

Our Method

Sunday services, visitation, witnessing, starting churches, missionaries, teaching, helping, working, supporting, Sunday school, discipleship training, baptism, membership, activities.

Our Values

1. God the Father, Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit

2. Scripture— The Word of God—God talking with us

3. People—Believers and those who need to hear of Jesus

4. Prayer—We talk to God

5. Service—Humble obedience to Jesus’ commands

6. Integrity—Living with God’s standard ruling our heart

7. Ministry—Identified personally with an aspect of the work of God

This is our Master’s plan, therefore, it is our Master Plan!

What we believe is in essence who we are.

These 20 Articles of Faith spell out in specific language what we believe about every major, essential doctrine of the church.

I. Of the Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that is 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. 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.

III. Of the Holy Spirit

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.

IV. 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 antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness-destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.

V. Of 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 change 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.”

VI. 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.

VII.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 born or can ever be born of a woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God the Son.

VIII. Of the Attonement of Sin

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by 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 most tender sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient savior.

IX. 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 one 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 character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely bi 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.

X. 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 an obedient faith; and 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.

XI. 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 which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.

XII. 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 and 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.

XIII. Of the Church

We believe that a Baptist church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel, said church being understood to be the citadel and propagator of the divine and eternal grace; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; we believe 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 method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

XIV. 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, and 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 pre-requisite 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 the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

XV. Of the Perserverance 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.

XVI. 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.

XVII. 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.

XVIII. Of the Resurrection, 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 arose bodily “the third day according to the Scriptures;” 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 God “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.”

XIX. 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 always, 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, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my father hath sent me, so send I you.”

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!”

XX. 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 u, 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 every one 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 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 it 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 sold land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it AT THE APOSTLES’ FEET.”

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 in this church or a church of like doctrine, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

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; to give it a sacred pre-eminence over all institutions of human origin; to contribute regularly to the support of this ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to teach our children the word of God; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk carefully and wisely in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and exemplary in the way we live; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, gossip and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage or recreational drugs, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation willingly and without delay, and to be mindful to love one another as taught by our Savior.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will as soon as possible unite with another Church of like precious faith and doctrine, where we may carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word.

Constitution and Bylaws

INTRODUCTION

We believe the Local Church is a body of believers, who have been scripturally baptized, and have agreed together to form a Church. We agree together that Christ is the only true head of the Church, to whom we are all subject. We further agree to conduct our business in a decent and orderly fashion. This document is produced so that each Member may more fully understand their duties, rights and responsibilities. This document is set forth in order to promote harmony and good will in our service together to the Lord.

ARTICLE 1: OUR PURPOSE

The purpose shall be to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to declare the whole counsel of God, thereby fulfilling the Great Commission given by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20.

ARTICLE 2: OUR GOVERNMENT

This Church shall be a body of Born-Again, Baptized believers. The government of this Church shall be vested solely in its assembled Membership. It shall have no outside influence of any kind, either by any government or any ecclesiastical body, denomination or association. None shall sit in judgment over this body or its affairs except the Lord and the Members of the Church itself. This Church may freely fellowship and or cooperate with a fellowship or other Churches of like precious faith and doctrine for the purpose of furthering the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in accordance with the scriptural pattern.

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be subject to the approval of the majority of attending Members in the following manner:

1. Baptism—A person expressing faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and following the Lord in obedience to baptism by immersion through the authority of this Church.

2. Letter—A person desiring to move their Membership from another Baptist Church of like Faith and practice.

3. Statement of Faith—A person not able to receive a letter from a former Church for various reasons, but professing Salvation and proper Baptism in a Baptist Church of like Faith and practice.

ARITICLE 4: RECEPTION AND DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS

Reception:

Candidates for Membership shall be presented to the Church at any regular Church service. A majority of Members present is required to receive any new Member. The Church may receive or grant letters of transfer through the Church office at the advice of the Pastor, or if the Church has no current Pastor, by the Deacons.

Dismissal:

Dismissal of Members shall be for scriptural cause (I Corinthians 5:11-13) or for maliciously causing division in the Church (Romans 16:17-18).

Dismissal shall be recommended by the Pastor with the Deacons to the Members for a vote, or if the Church has no Pastor, by the Deacons at any regular Church service.

A majority vote is required for dismissal of any Member.

ARTICLE 5: CHURCH OFFICES SHALL BE TWO; Pastor and Deacon

Pastor Selection:

In the event the Church is without a Pastor, the active Deacons shall form a pulpit committee, they shall appoint two other men with them whom they deem worthy; they shall present these two to the Church for a majority vote, this will form a pulpit committee.

The pulpit committee shall then seek out candidates, check their qualifications and make arrangements for meetings. They shall meet with the candidate in order to seek the guidance of the Spirit of God. All candidates shall meet the Bible qualifications of I Timothy 3:1-7 in the view of the pulpit committee. They shall ask candidates to preach, and present candidates for open questioning by the Members. They shall, after careful examination, preaching, and open questioning by the Members, recommend the candidates to the Members, as they are led by the Lord, for a vote by the Members. Each candidate shall be presented and voted upon one by one. At no time shall any candidate for Pastor be in competition with any other candidate for Pastor.

A Pastor shall be called by a 3/4 majority vote of the Members present and shall serve for an indefinite period of time.

Pastor Dismissal:

A serving Pastor can only be removed from office for violation of scriptural morality or deviation from the Church’s clearly stated doctrinal position. In the event of a call for the dismissal of the Pastor, the Deacons shall serve as moderators of the meetings. A meeting for this reason must be announced (two) weeks in advance, advising the Church of the reason for the meeting by an active Deacon.

A 3/4 majority vote of Members present is required to remove the Pastor from his office.

Deacon Selection:

A Deacon shall be required to meet the qualifications of I Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:3.

The Pastor shall announce the intention to appoint a Deacon at least two weeks in advance, at this time Members may prayerfully suggest to the current Deacons whomever they may wish to be considered for this office.

A candidate for Deacon shall be carefully examined by the Pastor and current Deacons. A candidate is then recommended to the Members by the Pastor and current Deacons, as they believe the Lord has led them. A date for the Church meeting to select Deacons shall be announced two weeks in advance and a Deacon shall be selected by a majority vote of the Members present, a Deacon then must be appointed to the office by the Pastor.

A Deacon shall serve for a term of (5) years. They may be selected to run concurrent terms indefinitely. However, each term must be approved by the Pastor and the current Deacons and presented to the Church for a majority vote.

Deacons Dismissal:

A Deacon may be dismissed from office for violation of scriptural morality or for deviation from clearly stated doctrines of the Church or for the dereliction of duties. In the event of the call for dismissal of a Deacon, the Pastor shall call for a meeting two weeks in advance, giving the reason for the meeting. A majority vote is required for the dismissal of a Deacon.

ARTICLE 6: CHURCH TREASURER

The Church Treasurer shall be appointed by the Pastor with the Deacons. He shall keep all financial records. He shall produce both monthly and annual reports to Pastor and the Deacons. Individual giving records shall be kept confidential.

ARTICLE 7: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Pastor:

The Pastor shall be the moderator at all meetings. The Pastor may be a Member of any committee of the Church. The Pastor shall, with the approval of the Deacons, select men of his own choosing as his assistants and associates. He shall also dismiss his assistants and associates with the approval of the Deacons as he deems necessary. He shall oversee all the business of the Church as well as all the ministries of the Church. He shall select and or approve all the leadership positions in every ministry of the Church. The Pastor shall select staff for office work as he deems necessary. The Pastor shall be Bishop, as Overseer and Elder, of the Church to set the spiritual direction of the Church.

Deacons:

Deacons are to assist the Pastor in the work of the Church in matters of ministry, business, and in the Churches necessary physical operations. Deacons shall act as advisers to the Pastor, as the Pastor requests, and as protectors of the Pastor as is described in Acts 6:3-4. In this capacity, they act as guardians of the peaceful spirit of the Church.

Deacons shall serve as trustees of the corporation of the Church.

Deacons shall be faithful to the services of the Church. Deacons shall cooperate with a joyful spirit with the leadership of the Pastor. Deacons shall serve communion, the needs of Church Members as they arise, and in whatever else the Church has need.

Deacons serve in the capacities herein described, to promote harmony, the spirit of cooperation and unity of the work of the Church.

Deacons are not to be a ruling body over the Church nor over the Pastor.

ARTICLE 8: MEETINGS

Meetings shall be held at least once a year to disclose the finances of the Church. At which time a financial report shall be presented.

Special meetings may be called by the Pastor from time to time as deemed necessary to discuss and conduct the business of the Church.

Major financial expenditures or indebtedness are to be recommended first by Pastor and Deacons, then presented to the Members for majority approval. Two weeks notice is to be given, stating the reason for the meeting. Majority approval of the Members present is required for major expenditures or to incur indebtedness.

ARTICLE 9: CONFESSON OF FAITH

The Confession of Faith adopted by the Baptist Bible Fellowship International shall be the clearly stated standard of doctrine of this Church.

ARTICLE 10: CHURCH COVENANT

The Church Covenant is attached to this document.

ARTICLE 11: AMMENDMENTS

Amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws may be deemed necessary by Pastor or Deacons or Members. Language for amendments shall be drawn up by the Church office and presented at a meeting. This shall be announced two weeks in advance with the purpose stated. Pastor, with the Deacons, shall recommend amendments to Members. A majority of Members present is required for amendment approval.

ARTICLE 12: CONCLUSION

This Constitution and Bylaws shall never be used to violate the spirit of love nor the letter of scripture. The intent and purpose of this document is that business be conducted in an orderly and honorable way.

It had been the fervent prayer of several families in Birch Run and Burt that God would give them a Bible believing Baptist Church. Born out of their desire, prayer, and the need, God burdened Pastor Fred C. Smith to start a church in the area in February, 1987.

After several informal planning meetings and prayer meetings, Sunday afternoon services began in April in the basement of the bank on the corner of Birch Run Rd. and Church St. After meeting there for 10 weeks the church had a special prayer meeting to ask God for a permanent place of meeting. God heard and answered this prayer. The very next day, the real estate company contacted Pastor Smith, and God allowed the purchase of the Birch Run Rd. Property June 17, 1987. This property needed much renovation. The same week Birch Run Baptist Church on Maple Rd. agreed to work with the new group to form a new church together. On June 21st, 1987 Bible Baptist Church was officially organized with 23 charter members.

In the spring of 1988 work began on our building on Birch Run Rd. which used to be the Taymouth Township Elementary School. The transformation from run-down school to the church you see today continued until 1990. That Easter Sunday the church met there for the first time and for all Sunday services. The property on Maple Rd. was sold and the proceeds went toward the completion of this building.

We owe many thanks to the pastors and the people who served at Birch Run Baptist on Maple Rd; to the Smith family who were a part of the first church in Birch Run (a Baptist church once located near the school on Church St.) who donated the property to complete the building. And of course, we are so thankful to God who always supplies all our need. He is so good!

It is our fervent prayer that the future of this church will be good, wholesome, godly, God-honoring, and Christ-exalting. The future of this church depends first on God. It is His church and we desperately need His power and blessing. Second, it depends upon the leadership of the pastor and his staff and deacons. Third, it depends upon you, God’s people, who teach and serve, love and give, declare and live the Word of God. There must be unity, harmony, and cooperation in the body, Christ’s church.