About Us

Purpose Statement
 

     East Jena Baptist Church will seek to fulfill the Great Commandment, “To love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.” We will also seek to fulfill the Great Commission, “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.”
 
 
 Vision Statement
 
     Under the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit, East Jena Baptist Church in fulfilling the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will: pray for spiritual awakening, minister to human needs, witness to every person, start new works, and insure a healthy church.
 
 
 East Jena Baptist Church History
 
             East Jena Baptist Church was begun in the early 1930's with a few families that saw a need for a Baptist Church in the community. At first, the meetings were held in homes. As interest grew, an arbor was built for the meetings. On September 18, 1935, the small group officially became a Baptist Church. There were seventeen who presented letters or promise of letters showing themselves to be members of Baptist churches.


The charter members were:

Miss Allie Duke                                                            Miss Lucy Eubanks

Miss Melanie Wilson                                                     Mr. Lee Eubanks

Mr. AS. Williams                                                          Mrs. Maude Winborne

Mr. Felnoy Eubanks                                                      Mr. W.L. Barrett

Mrs. Lola Smith                                                            Mr. C.W. Wilson

Mrs. C. W. Wilson                                                        Mr. J.M. Coleman

Mrs. J.M. Coleman                                                       Mr. J.W. Winborne

Mrs. J.W. Winborne                                                      Mrs. Mary Thomlinson

Mrs. Dorothy Winborne

 

The first pastor, Bro. L.D. Posey, was elected by secret ballot on October 30, 1935. Five men were elected to serve as trustees, or deacons.

They were:

A.S. Williams                                                    W.L. Barrett

John Winborne                                                  J.M. Coleman

C.W. Wilson

 

With winter approaching, the services were soon moved to the Winborne home until a church building could be built. Timber for the building was given by W.L. Holmes, A. S. Williams, and Jim Miller. Bill Smith cut and hauled the timber to the mill and after it was cut into lumber he hauled it to the building site, which had been donated by Bro. Ansley Willis. Our present building is located on this same site. The men of the community pitched in to help build the first sanctuary of the East Jena Baptist Church. It was a one room structure with wood burning heaters, having unpainted floors, pews and pulpit. The church continued to grow, creating the need for more land and a larger building. Today our church grounds cover approximately six acres, with buildings including sanctuary and educational area, and parsonage. During the church's more than 71 years of existence, there have been 20 pastors with Bro. Powell serving twice.
 

They are:

L.D. Posey                                                             P.M. Guice

 Henry Powell                                                          H.A Merritt

 

 L.H. Brooks                                                             N.E. Tyson

 

  Howard Barnett                                                      M.J. Bounds

 

   C.A McDaniel                                                         W.D. Carson

             Henry Powell                                                         Woodson McGuffee

      Joel McKay                                                            Truman Leach

      J.L. Holt                                                                Clyde Sanchez

    J.R. Miller                                                              Craig James  

          Ralph T. Self                                                          William R. O'Neal

 

There have also been several associate pastors and student ministers that served during this time. The Leadership and guidance of these pastors has been of great importance to the spiritual and material growth of the East Jena Baptist Church.

 

ARTICLES OF FAITH

 

ARTICLE I. THE TRUE GOD
 
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one living and true God. He is an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth. He is holy and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love. There is unity of the Godhead in the three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are equal in divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.


ARTICLE II. THE SCRIPTURES

We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction. The Bible has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. The Bible reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore, is and shall remain the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

 
ARTICLE III. THE CREATION AND THE FALL OF MAN
 
We believe Man was a separate an distinct creative act of God, and not by any evolutionary process. Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state. Therefore, all mankind are now sinners not by constraint, but by choice. Man by nature is utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore, under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.


ARTICLE IV. THE WAY OF SALVATION
 
We believe the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the sacrificial act of the Son of God. His name is Jesus Christ. He was appointed by the Father and freely took upon Himself our nature. He did so without sin thus honoring the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins. He rose from the dead and is now at the right hand of the Father in heaven interceding on behalf of sinners.
 

ARTICLE V. JUSTIFICATION
 
We believe the Scriptures teach that believing in Christ secures our justification before God. Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the assurance of eternal life on principles of righteousness. Justification is not bestowed in consideration of any works, but solely through faith in the Redeemers blood. By virtue of faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God. Justification brings us into a state of peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful f or time and eternity.
 

ARTICLE VI. REGENERATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again. Regeneration is the process by which we receive a new nature (God’s nature). By the power of the Holy Spirit and divine truths, voluntary obedience to Christ will show evidence of repentance, faith and newness of life.


ARTICLE VII. REPENTANCE AND FAITH
 
We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God repenting, confessing, and for mercy; at the same time receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and relying on Him alone as our means of salvation.


ARTICLE VIII. SANCTIFICATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which we are set apart. According to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers, by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

 

ARTICLE IX. A GOSPEL CHURCH
 
We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, who are associated by a covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. We observe the ordinances of Christ, and are governed by His laws, in exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word.

 

 

ARTICLE X.  BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
 
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism shows forth a solemn and beautiful example of faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior and our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Baptism is required in order to become a member of the church and to partake of the Lords Supper.

The members of the church observe the Lord’s Supper to commemorate together the dying love of Christ. It is always to be preceded by a solemn self-examination. Note: It is the policy of this church to observe an open communion.


ARTICLE XI. THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH
 
We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day and is to be kept sacred.

 

 

 

 

CHURCH 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, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and 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 contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the 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 religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of, and use of, destructive drugs or intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to shun pornography; 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 one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

 
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

 

 

ARTICLES