Important Stuff

What is the Gospel?

The gospel is the good news of God’s saving actions on our behalf through the person and work of Jesus Christ. In the gospel we discover that each of us has been alienated from God through failures to do what he requires of us. Because God is holy and just, he must bring justice for the sins each person has committed. In God’s unexplainable love, he freely chose to send His Son, who is both fully God and also fully man, to take the place of sinners and receive the justice of God for their sins when he died on a Cross. Christ was then resurrected from the dead and now lives in heaven and is the Savior of all who will turn from their sins and place their trust in what Jesus did to reconcile them to God. Those who believe the gospel receive the forgiveness of their sins and the gift of eternal life.
From the website of our church -http://sovgracefred.org/index.html

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ~ Romans 3:22-24

Some helpful resources
~ Desiring God Ministries
~ Nancy Leigh Demoss
~ Ravi Zacharias
~ Sovereign Grace Ministries

Long time readers know - and the discerning new reader will notice - that our adorable Ella is adopted. Born in China in 2003 with a cleft lip and palate, God's plan from the beginning of creation was for her to grow up with 3 stinky brothers and 2 crazy white parents in rural Maryland...and we are so honored to be her mommy and daddy.

I enjoyed the great privilege of spending nearly 3 weeks in China which served only to increase my desire to reach and care for orphans, particularly those in underdeveloped countries.

Another group that is important to us is the persecuted church. What you may find surprising is that we believe no religion should be persecuted. Yes, we are conservative Christians, but we believe everyone should be free to practice their religion without harassment or fear.  Of course, our hope is that others come to a saving faith, but we do not wish persecution of other religions anymore than we wish it on ourselves.

Links you may find helpful
~ Fujian Kids, this organization reaches out to orphans in the Fujian province which is where Ella was born
~ Love Without Boundaries
~ Mercy Ships
~ Prisoner Alert
~ Voice of the Martyrs