Discover the leadership team, values, doctrines, and scriptures guiding our ministry in Little Rock.
Dedicated shepherds serving the family of God on the hill.
I am married to my best friend, Laine. Together, we love to fish, hunt, and watch The Andy Griffith Show and Razorback sports. I felt a call to ministry at the age of 19 and my desire ever since is that through me, God would get glory! I received a Bachelor of Science in Bible with a minor in Pastoral Studies from Central Baptist College and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies & Theology from Belhaven University. I am in awe of His mercy to me in calling me to pastor; I owe Him all! My passion in life is to see people come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and then grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord! Laine and I could not be more excited and thankful to be back at her childhood church, serving with God's people, all for His glory!
"He must increase, but I must decrease." — John 3:30
Oh, how time flies. In 1969, I married well above my pay-grade! My beautiful wife Barbara and I began to serve Crystal Hill side by side that same year. It has been an absolute joy for us to serve the church in many ways for all these years. During our time on The Hill, the Lord has greatly blessed us; starting with 2 terrific boys who followed in their dad’s footsteps, both marrying wonderful ladies, and as if that weren’t enough, we have of 5 amazing grandchildren. In my current role I am so excited to serve the church as Senior Adults Pastor. We are eagerly looking forward to watching what the Lord will do as we continue to grow in Christ and fellowshipping with the saints.
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." — John 10:27-28
We adhere to the faith and message once for all delivered to the saints. Below is an outline of our core beliefs.
There is one true, living God (Jeremiah 10:10). He is the creator and sustainer of the universe (Colossians 1:16-17). He is the author of salvation (Hebrews 2:10) and the redeemer of mankind (1 Peter 1:18-19). God exists in three distinct forms: Father, Spirit, and Son.
God the Father is the One who rules over His creation (Psalm 103:19). He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God the Father is the father of those who are born into His family through faith (John 1:12).
Jesus is God the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14). Jesus lived as mankind’s perfect representative and gave His life on the cross as man’s perfect representative (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus gave His life to pay the ransom for man’s sin debt (Mark 10:45). Jesus died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and rose again on the third day, victorious over sin (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Jesus then ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11), where He now makes intercession for His people (Hebrews 7:25). We now await the second coming of Christ.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16). The Holy Spirit exalts Christ, convicts us of sin (John 16:8), righteousness, and judgment. He calls sinners to the Savior. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption (Ephesians 4:30). At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells believers (1 Corinthians 6:19). Through His presence and work, the Holy Spirit helps us understand truth, convicts of sin, which leads to repentance, and through the word of God, conforms us to the image of Christ (John 14:26; Romans 8:29).
Sin is transgression against God’s holy law (1 John 3:4). Sin is the intentional and unintentional breaking of God’s commandments. Sin is so severe that it results in eternal separation from God for those who reject Him (Romans 6:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:9).
Salvation is mankind’s greatest need. We are sinners in need of a Savior. God provided His Son as the sacrifice for sin. Salvation is a free gift, available to all who receive it in faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Through salvation, the blood of Jesus cleanses one of all sins (1 John 1:9), and takes away all of God’s wrath and judgment that we all deserve (John 19:30).
The Bible is God’s Holy Word. The Bible is spoken by God (2 Timothy 3:16) and written to man. The Bible is the Chrsitian’s blueprint to holy living. Within the pages of scripture are found the tools to build a God-honoring life (Matthew 7:24-27).
The church is the redeemed children of God. The church is not a building, it is a people (1 Corinthians 12:27). The purpose of the New Testament church is to share the good news of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20) and to carry out the two ordinances left behind by Jesus: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
The purpose of the Chirstian is to bring honor and glory to the Lord in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). Our purpose is to know the One who created us and to make Him known (Matthew 28:19-20).
The Lord Jesus Christ left His people with two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is not necessary for salvation (Luke 23:43), but is commanded and exemplified by Jesus (Acts 8:36-37; Matthew 3:16). Baptism is an outward claim of inward change (Romans 6:3-4). The Lord’s Supper is a symbol of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Yes. Since Jesus ascended into heaven, we are living in the end times. This is becoming abundantly clear as prophecies are unfolding before our very eyes. Jesus tells us to be prepared for His return, for it will be at an hour that we do not know (Matthew 24:44). The call to the church is to live in holiness and anticipation of the return of the Lord (Matthew 25:13).
We adhere to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
