|
I joined Emmanuel as senior pastor in April 2011. Prior to coming to North Carolina, I served at churches in Palmetto, FL and Chattanooga, TN. I also served for several years as chaplain at The Union Gospel Mission and currently sit on the board of directors for Chattanooga Outreach, the mission's parent organization. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tennessee Temple University and a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. My passion is to help people understand and apply biblical truth to everyday life. I also enjoy spending time with my wife Connie, teaching about the spiritual disciplines, and sharing God's truth with people in other countries through short-term missions trips. |
|
|
|
Evangelism is not something we do...it is something we are!
I was born in February 1982, but the day I was born again was November 23rd, 1993. I grew up in Dallas Texas and am still a huge Dallas Cowboys fan. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of Dad and I attending Texas Stadium to watch the Cowboys play. I hope to someday be the same type of dad to my children as my dad was to me.
I played a lot of sports growing up...basically any sport that had a ball. Little did I know that some of the things I learned in sports would be in direct opposition to some of the teachings of Christ. (Pride, never showing, much less admitting weakness, physical domination etc.) I had no clue that it would take the rest of my life to work some of these inclinations out of me. I praise the Lord and have unshakable faith in his steadfast sanctification...I would have no life without this.
more ...
I moved to Sedalia, Kentucky around age 11 and was forced to go to church. I hated Sedalia when I first moved there because it is a tiny backwoods town that is much smaller (and has much less to do) than Dallas. My grandmother dragged me to church every time the doors were open because I was such a bad kid. I really was into trouble all the time! I will never forget the night I came into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. A light clicked on in my heart, mind, and soul...I needed Him and the forgiveness that only He offered.
I attended High School and walked closely with the Lord until graduation. I was still heavily engaged in sports and was blessed with a scholarship to a small Division III school in rural Indiana. As I attended college my spiritual foundation was shook and I fell into a vortex of sin for about 3 years. I became a self-reliant, self-impressed, self-worshipping loser who completely turned his back on the Lord. Football became my God and I pursued the game with all my heart, mind and soul, instead of the Christ. What foolishness!
Following graduation the Lord saved my life and my ministry by removing one of the most horrific roots of idolatry in my life by separating me from a non-God honoring relationship. As painful as it was, I praise God daily for removing this spiritual cancer from my life. The Lord also saw fit to remove several other sinful inclinations as he bathed me in grace and sanctified me with mercy.
Shockingly, the Lord brought me to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary 4 years ago. I never would have thought in a million years that I would be called to the ministry. He has been sanctifying me ever since. Seminary has been the most beautifully painful, soul sifting, purifying, humbling, most difficult experience I have ever endured. I take insatiable confidence in his steadfast patience and endless mercy in cleansing my heart and giving me an appetite for righteousness. There is no life outside of Christ.
I pray the Lord continues his work in and through me. At the end of the day I am an average Joe that is pursuing an above average calling set forth by an incredible savior. I now resoundingly echo that I know nothing about life except Christ and Him crucified. |
|
|
|
|
I was born in November 1981 in northern Virginia. I did not grow up in the church but began attending in high school. Although I faithfully attended, the gospel had not yet made an impact in my life. I sought comfort and refuge in the world and often ran from God's calling. It wasn't until I was in my 20's that God began to change my life. After letting go of my sins and giving my life over to Christ my life took a drastic turn.
more ...
I was called to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the Spring of 2007 to study in the Undergraduate Program of Biblical Studies and Music. Since then God has been molding me and making me into more and more of the daughter He created me to be. The academic journey has been challenging and rewarding, but so much more so has been my spiritual journey these past few years. Thankfully I found a home in Emmanuel Baptist Church and have been extremely blessed through it. It is here with my church family that I have been challenged to grow and love in Christ. As I have been lovingly ministered to during my time here, so I hope to return the love and encouragement given to me.
My love for the Lord and my passion for children to come to the Lord is what motivates me and inspires me to serve. I have been blessed in getting to know your children and am grateful for the opportunity to love on them and teach them about Christ. As I continue to grow and seek more of the Lord, I pray that He will simply use me as a vessel for His kingdom work. |
|
|
|
|
Hello, my name is Jaime, and I am the Minister of Music here at EBC Raleigh. I am originally from Whiteville, NC, a small town in southeastern NC. I attended Campbell University, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Music. I am currently pursuing a Master of Church Music degree in Worship Leadership at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. While being a student, I also serve as the chapel music coordinator at SEBTS.
I trusted Christ as my Savior when I was in the seventh grade, during a revival at my church. The Lord had already been working in my heart, and I knew that I needed a relationship with Him, so I confessed Jesus as my Lord, and prayed for Him to take control of my life. It has been amazing to see how God has been faithful through the years, and shown Himself mighty in and around my life. I have never doubted His provision for me. It's been awesome!
more ...
I love music as a whole, but especially when it is used as a part of corporate worship of our Lord. When I am not leading worship and singing, I love to spend time with friends and family, building relationships. I am also a fan of Auburn football, Duke basketball, and Carolina Hurricanes hockey.
Finally, I love being on mission for the Lord. Whether through local, national, or international opportunities, I love to see God's children sharing the gospel to the world. It has been my pleasure to work for several summers with a missions camp, called M-Fuge, working with students and adults to shine the Light of Jesus to various communities in the United States. I have also been to S. Korea, Zimbabwe, and Poland on international trips, and have seen the Lord working in the hearts of the nations, so that they too can have a relationship with Him. I hope to continue to be on mission for the Lord, and to go throughout the earth singing His praises!
Have a blessed day, and come join us at Emmanuel Baptist Church! |
|
|
|
Lynn Lewis
Office Manager |
I have been working in the Emmanuel church office for 16 years, and have lived in Smithfield, NC for 34 years. I have two sons (Travis and Eric) and three grandchildren (Danessa, Leanna, and Jordan). I am a member of Sharon Baptist Church, in Smithfield. |
|
|
