Our Affirmation

We affirm that the doctrines of sovereign grace—historically expressed in Augustinianism, Calvinism, and commonly called the doctrines of grace—faithfully reflects the teaching of Scripture regarding the salvation of sinners. It is no a theological novelty or trend, but a conviction  deeply rooted in historic Christianity and, above all, in the clear testimony of God's inspired, infallible, and sufficient Word. From beginning to end "salvation belongs to the Lord" (Jonah 2:9). The Apostle Paul wrote:

"Those whom He predestined He also called,

and those whom He called He also justified,

and those whom He justified He also glorified."

— Romans 8:30

Our conviction is that the salvation of sinners is not ultimately dependent upon human effort or will, but upon the sovereign grace and mercy of God, who saves according to His own purpose (John 1:12-13; Rom. 9:16; Eph. 1:3-14; 2 Tim. 1:9). This especially includes the new birth, or regeneration, which cannot be initiated or produced by man, but rather is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who gives spiritual life to the spiritually dead, grants repentance, and effectually draws sinners to saving faith in Christ.

Yet in these convictions, we do not deny or diminish human responsibility. Sinners act according to their own will and remain fully accountable for their sin and unbelief (John 3:18–19; Rom. 1:18–20). Because of the Fall, the human will is enslaved to sin and hostile toward God, and apart from sovereign grace no sinner will come freely to Christ (John 6:44; Rom. 8:7–8). In regeneration, however, the Holy Spirit does not coerce the will but graciously gives a new heart and makes the unwilling willing, so that the sinner freely and gladly embraces Christ by faith (Ezek. 36:26–27; John 6:37; Phil. 2:13). Thus, those who reject the gospel do so willingly and are justly condemned, while those who come to Christ do so freely because grace has first made them willing (John 5:40; Acts 13:48). Every ground for boasting is therefore removed, and all the glory of salvation belongs to God alone (1 Cor. 1:29–31; Eph. 2:8–9). See "What are the Doctrines of Grace?"

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We therefore reject Arminianism and other accounts of salvation that make God’s saving grace finally dependent upon the work of fallen man. We affirm instead that those whom God elects, Christ redeems, and the Spirit makes alive will be preserved to the end. Believers persevere because God preserves them, working within them according to His gracious purpose (Phil. 2:13). From predestination to glorification, from eternity past to eternity future, salvation is of the Lord and to the praise of His glory.

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Recovering Our Heritage of Grace

The doctrines of sovereign grace have been richly woven into the theological heritage of both our nation and the Mountain State. In 1793, 956 of the 1,032 Baptist churches in America (nearly 93%) were Calvinistic. Likewise, by 1800, within the boundaries of what would later become West Virginia, 12 of its 16 Baptist churches (75%) were Calvinistic. The doctrines of grace therefore hold a significant place in the spiritual history of both America and the Mountain State.

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Over time, however, much of this inheritance has been lost. Man-centered theology and emotional manipulation have  displaced the clear preaching of the gospel, while modern evangelistic methods such as altar calls and the Sinner’s Prayer have encouraged the idea that conversion rests upon a momentary human decision. And the result has often been a diminished view of God, a weakened understanding of conversion, and false assurance among those who have never truly repented and believed. Where the sovereignty of God in salvation is obscured, so too are the glory of Christ and the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.

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We are therefore convinced that recovering the proclamation of God’s free and sovereign grace in Jesus Christ is not optional, but essential. We labor to see a Christ-exalting, Scripture-saturated understanding of salvation flourish once again throughout the Mountain State that magnifies the sovereignty of God, grounds believers in true assurance, and fuels bold and faithful evangelism. These truths once rang joyfully throughout our churches and mountains, and by God’s grace we long to hear them ring again.

Hope for Revival

Our hope is not in methods, personalities, or trends, but in the sovereign, unchanging God who reigns over heaven and earth. We are persuaded that He is able to do far more than we ask or imagine, and that He yet has sheep in these mountains who must be gathered. Wherever Christ is faithfully preached, the Spirit of God is not absent, idle, or ineffective, but moving to effectually bring the elect to Christ.

Though West Virginia is often forgotten and overlooked, we are convinced that God is not finished with these mountains. We have seen Him raise up faithful pastors, preserve truth in difficult places, renew weary congregations, and save sinners through the conquering power of the gospel. These mercies, though often quiet and unseen, testify that the Lord continues to work according to His gracious purposes.

It is for this reason that we pray for revival. By "revival," we do not mean a man-made event, surges of emotion, or something produced through carefully orchestrated crusades, concerts, programs, or special church services and meetings (as we have been so accustomed to). Rather, we long instead for a sovereign, Spirit-wrought awakening—an extraordinary work of God that no human ingenuity can manufacture and no religious enthusiasm can sustain. Scripture and history testify that such seasons come in God’s appointed time and according to His sovereign will, while at the same time not diminishing man's responsibility to be obedient to God's holy prescription of how He is to be worshiped, nor the holy urgency in seeking Him day and night by prayer. In revival, God is pleased to awaken and quicken His church, to deepen repentance and faith, to bring sinners to Christ, to strengthen and purify His people, and to cause His great and holy name to be glorified throughout the land.