Identity and Core Beliefs
First Baptist Church of Lansdale is an American Baptist Church, and a member of the Philadelphia Baptist Association.
As an American Baptist Church, we affirm the American Baptist Identity Statement adopted by the General Board, American Baptist Churches, USA., June 1988.
In summary, we believe in:
- The triune God of the Bible, who is eternally one God in three persons (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14). This one, triune God is most clearly revealed to us in the incarnate Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (John 1:18, Hebrews 1:1-2).
- The Good News of the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and salvation from sin and death for fallen humanity by grace through faith in Him (Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9).
- The Bible, composed of the Old and New Testaments, as the divinely inspired Word of God, the final written authority and trustworthy for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- The soveriegnty of God realized in the Lordship of Christ over all creation, and the call to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations in the power and Holy Spirit in anticipation of the day of Christ's return and the making of all things new (Matthew 28:18-20).
- A common unity with believers in Christ everywhere as His one true Church, while celebrating our distinctive heritage as Baptists (Ephesians 4:4-6). These distintictives include an understanding of the local church as autonomous with regard to its government, and composed of believers who have been baptized by immersion upon credible confession of their faith. The church gathers regularly to worship, to celebrate the Lord's Supper, to edify one another, and to reach out to the world around us (Acts 2:41-47).
Staff
Ministerial Staff
Rev. Dr. Kent Berghuis
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Born and raised in Iowa and educated in the Midwest and Texas, Dr. Kent Berghuis came to us in the fall of 2004 from Dallas, Texas, where he was a full-time professor in the Department of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Berghuis holds a broad vision for the local 21 st century church. “First Baptist is a congregation with a wonderful heritage”, he says. “It has great potential for future service with a global vision and a community-minded focus.”
Dr. Berghuis holds a Ph.D. in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, 1994; and a B.A. from Faith Baptist Bible College, 1990. His professional ministry experience includes pastoral ministries in Illinois, Ohio and Texas. He has also served as an adjunct professor at several seminaries and universities. Locally, he will be teaching at Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield as well as Eastern Baptist Seminary, Wynnewood. Dr. Berghuis also taught in Almaty, Kazakhstan in June 2005, and took a mission team from First Baptist with him.
Dr. Berghuis resides in Lansdale with his wife, Debbie, and three young children. |
Mark Snyder
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Mark Snyder, Our Youth Pastor, came to us in July 2005. He was Ordained by the Philadelphia Baptist Assiciation at our Church in February of 2007.
Mark’s duties at First Baptist include working with Junior High and Senior High youth, as well as general pastoral responsibilities.
Mark, who moved to Lansdale from Collingswood, New Jersey, has received a Bachelor of Music Degree from the College of New Jersey, and a Masters of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He most recently served at the First Baptist Church, Collingswood, New Jersey where he was the Minister to Young Adults and the Worship Leader.
Other professional experience includes Director of Children’s Ministry/Worship Leader at Mountview Baptist Church, Ohio, and Youth Pastor at Central Baptist Church, Woodbury, New Jersey. He was also a music teacher at the Friends School of Mullica Hill, New Jersey and Pennsauken Middle School. Mark and his wife, Nicki, are excited about the prospects of serving the Lord in the Lansdale area.
Pastor Berghuis enthusiastically commends our youth pastor: “Mark brings to our church strong leadership skills, a winsome and inviting personality, and a high level of experience with youth and ministry. We are thrilled to have a ministry staff member of such caliber.” |
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