Our Affirmation

We affirm without hesitation that the doctrine of sovereign grace—commonly known as the doctrines of grace or Calvinism—faithfully reflects the teaching of Scripture regarding the salvation of sinners. It is not a theological trend, but the historic witness of the church and the clear testimony of God’s Word: that from beginning to end "salvation belongs to the Lord" (Jonah 2:9). As the Apostle Paul declares:

“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 God's salvation of sinners is not ultimately dependent upon human will or effort, 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, which cannot be initiated or manufactured by man, but is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who gives spiritual life to the spiritually dead, grants repentance, and effectually draws the sinner to saving faith in Christ. In all of these convictions, we do not deny man's responsibility to love and serve God, nor his will in choosing good and evil—rather, we affirm that human responsibility and will operate within God’s sovereign rule. Man is not coerced; he acts willingly and is therefore fully accountable for his sin and unbelief. Yet because of the Fall, his will is morally bound to sin and hostile to God, so that apart from God's sovereign grace he will never choose Christ. In the new birth—when the Holy Spirit brings a sinner from spiritual death to spiritual life—He does not violate the sinner's will, but frees it, so that the sinner comes to Christ both willingly and gladly. Thus, all who refuse the gospel do so freely and are justly condemned, and all who believe do so by God's free and sovereign grace alone—leaving no room for boasting and giving all glory to God (see "What are the Doctrines of Grace?").

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The doctrine of sovereign grace stands in stark contrast to Arminianism (and its various theological frameworks), which places the decisive role of salvation in man’s hands and allows for the possibility of true believers falling away. We reject such notions and hold firmly to the biblical truth that those whom God elects He also preserves. Those who are in Christ are both kept and persevere, not by their own power, but by the power of God who works within them (Phil. 2:13). From predestination to glorification, eternity past into eternity future, salvation is of the Lord and to the praise of His glory!

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A Sad Departure

Sadly, many churches across West Virginia have drifted from this biblical foundation. Over time, man-centered theology and emotional manipulation have replaced the clear preaching of the gospel. The use of unbiblical, modern evangelistic means—such as altar calls and The Sinner's Prayer—have resulted in the weakening of the church’s message and witness, a diminishing of reverence for God, the false message that it is "easy" to become a Christian, and that man can simply "choose" his way into heaven. And ultimately, where false gospels are preached and unbiblical means are employed, there is an inevitable spread of a false assurance of salvation. Where the sovereignty of God is forgotten, the glory of Christ and the power of the Spirit are obscured.

We are convinced that the recovery of the preaching of the free and sovereign grace in Jesus Christ is not optional, but essential. We labor to uphold and restore a Christ-exalting, Scripture-saturated understanding of salvation to the Mountain State church that magnifies the sovereignty of God in salvation, grounds the believer in true assurance of salvation, and fuels bold and faithful evangelism.

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.

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 definite atonement and conquering power of the cross of Christ. These mercies, though often quiet and unseen, testify that the Lord continues to work according to His purposes and grace.

It is for this reason that we pray for revival—not a manufactured event, emotional surge, or carefully orchestrated program, but a true and sovereign outpouring of the Spirit of God. We do not speak of revival lightly. Scripture and history testify that genuine revival is not the product of human ingenuity or religious enthusiasm, but an extraordinary work of God, granted in His appointed time and wholly dependent upon His sovereign will. In such seasons, God is pleased to awaken and quicken His people, to produce lasting repentance and living faith, to purify and strengthen His church, and to magnify the glory of His own great name.