ABOUT US
ABOUT US
Together we are a community of believers. What does that mean, the word community? We believe that together in fellowship we grow closer to God and one another. The bible speaks about iron sharpening iron. We believe that together we grow stronger. We are a community of believers.
We strive to be a church without walls. Jesus calls for us to go outside the walls to reach the lost and the broken. It is there that the lost will be found. Most churches find it is comfortable to stay within the walls, but we make it an effort to be like the church from the book of Acts, to see our community transformed.
We highly value our relationships with one another. We look to grow through fellowship, and ultimately growing closer to God. We value the word of God, and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We look to extend grace to all of the lost and broken, and lead those with no hope to the hope of Jesus Christ.
WHO WE ARE
OUR MISSION
The mission of Leaf River Baptist Church is to Guide people to a life of faith in Jesus Christ then on to lives that are fully devoted to Him. In order to do that we meet weekly to encourage and sharpen each other. We also serve together and we are always lookign for new ways to be involved in the community around us. We can't do everything, but everything we do, we do for the glory of God!
OUR VISION
The vision of Leaf River Baptist Church is to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be Christ body. That means that as a church we desire for everything we do to reflect Christ. We want to grow in our knowledge of who Christ is. We want to immitate Chrsit in everything we do. Finally we want to be seen as the hands and feet of Christ in the surrounding community.
OUR VALUES
The values of Leaf River Baptist Church are to constantly serve each other as family.
FAMILY: Churches all over the world say that they are a family, and that is true. However, at LRBC we value our spiritual family and our relationships with each other.
SERVICE: We desire to serve each other, as well as the whole community around us.
OUR HISTORY
SMALL BEGINNINGS
HUGE FUTURE...
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Have questions? We have the answers!
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Matthew 24:35; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; Psalms 119:89; Isaiah 55:8-11; I Peter 1:23)
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. (Matthew 28:18,19; Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16,17; John 14:16,17; 14:26; 15:26; Acts 5:3,4; II Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-6; I Peter 1:2)
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in
holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (John 3:16; 4:24; Isaiah 6:5; Revelation 4:8; Romans 11:33; Psalms 104:24-35; Matthew 19:26; Psalms 139:1-24; Ephesians 1:3-14)
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; II Corinthians 5:21; John 1:1; 1:14; 8:58; 10:30; 11:38-44; Colossians 1:13-18; I Peter 2:24; Romans 5:8; Hebrews 7:25; I Corinthians 15:1-58; Acts 1:9-11; Colossians 2:9)
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. He imparts spiritual gifts for Christian service, and edification and the fruits of Spirit for a Christ-like life. (John 14:16,17; 14:26; 16:7-11; 3:5,6; Romans 8:1-39; I Corinthians 12:4-13; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11,12; Galatians 5:22,23)
We believe that all men are sinners, by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We further believe that regeneration results in righteous living, good works and proper social concern. We further believe that those who are truly saved shall be kept saved forever. (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12-19; 3:9-23; Romans 6:23; Acts 20:21; Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:14-17; John 10:27-29; I Peter 1:3-5)
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.(Ephesians 4:14-16; 1:22,23; 5:25-27; Acts 2:41,42; Matthew 16:13-18; Matthew 28:18-20)
We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well- being of his fellowmen; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others, the full stature of maturity in Christ. (I Corinthians 6:19,20; 10:31; I John 4:7-12; Colossians 3:1-17; Ephesians 4:11-32)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We recognize that baptism is an outward expression and testimony of personal regeneration. Furthermore, we affirm that personal salvation is the result of faith plus nothing (Ephesians 2:8,9). Nonetheless, because the New Testament is clear that baptism always followed regeneration for Christ’s earthly followers; we affirm this ordinance/command especially since it always appeared in the New Testament as a joyful act of testimony/witness of a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:36-39; Mark 1:9,10; Romans 6:3,4; Matthew 26:26-30; I Corinthians 11:23-32)
We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith. We believe that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. We believe that God has ordained the state to provide a society in which we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all Godliness and honesty, and that He has ordained the church for the edification of the Body of Christ. If and when these two duties conflict, we ought to obey God rather than man. (Acts 5:29; Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-17; I Timothy 2:1-3; Ephesians 4:12)
We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in denominational organization. Such an organization, whether a regional or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with inter-denominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis. (I Corinthians 16:1-3; Romans 15:25-27; 16:16b; Revelation 1:4, 11; Galatians 1:1,2)
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. (Matthew 24:3-51; 25:1-46; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11; I John 3:2,3; II Thessalonians 1:6-10; Revelation 20:1-15; 21:1-8; 23-27; 22:12-15)
A. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning, and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture.(Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:22-24; Ephesians 5:25-33; Matthew 19:4-9; Mark 10:2-12)
B. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. (I Corinthians 6:9-20; I Corinthians 7:1-5; I Corinthians 7:8,9; Ephesians 5:25-33; Hebrews 13:4-5; I Thessalonians 4:1-8)
C. We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change one’s gender, or disagreement with one’s biological gender is sinful and offensive to God. (Leviticus 18:16-30; Leviticus 20:13; I Corinthians 6:9-20; Deuteronomy 22:5; I Thessalonians 4:1-8)
D. We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses die. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as sin, except on the grounds of adultery or an unbelieving spouse leaving a believing spouse due to their faith in Christ. (I Corinthians 7:8-9; I Corinthians 7:10-16; Matthew 19:4-9; Mark 10:2-12; Malachi 2:16; I Corinthians 7:39)
E. Therefore, we prohibit our licensed and ordained ministers to perform homosexual marriages on or off the church’s property. We also prohibit the church property from being used for homosexual marriages, celebrations, receptions or any other type of gatherings.
F. Additionally, we will not recognize the license or ordination of ministers whose sexuality does not conform to the above-mentioned institution of marriage.
We believe that children are a blessing from the Lord. Thus all human life is sacred and worthy of protection from the moment of conception. (Genesis 2:24; Psalms 127:3-5; 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:4-5)
OUR PASTOR
Hey there! Pastor Billy and his wife Bethany moved to our community in July of 2019. He has a true heart for this community specifically as well as all of Ogle County. Pastor Billy came to us having grown up in Texas and living in both Puerto Rico and Indiana, which has given him a profound undersstanding of people and churches. This vast experience has allowed God to give him a very specific vision for our community. He wants to see true Gospel change in this area and will not stop until that dream is fulfilled! Click below to see what God has brought him through...
OUR ELDERS
STEVE WELLS
Favorite food: carmel cashew custard sundae at culvers
Favorite book/movie: Bible/motorcycle magazines
Favorite activity: visiting family and friends
DAN DROZD
Favorite food: hamburger
Favorite book/movie: "The Global Flood" by John Morris/ Dirty Harry
Favorite activity: Shooting clay/ golfing
Mission Work
Leaf River Baptist Church supports various missionaries and ministries. We have made a commitement to always give a minimum of 10% (and typically around 15%) of all tithes and offereings into missionaries and ministries outside of our walls. Please take a moment to look over this list and pray over these ministries. If you feel connected to any ministries then please visit their website and make a personal connection with them.
Cody and Allison Buriff work for Restoration Project
Cody works with Restoration Project, a national men’s ministry where he works to develop resources as well as spending time working with men in small groups and retreats.
Al and Elizabeth Dyck
Work in Spain. Focus on providing pastoral care, spiritual formation, character development, leader development, mediation, and team building for global workers.
Rebeca Pedro, and her son Caleb
Rebecca provides Biblical teaching and counseling in Mexico
Brad and Rachel Wells, Love Justice International
Using Brad’s technical skills and Rachel’s management skills and God-given passion to work for Love Justice, an NGO focused on anti-trafficking, Brad and Rachel are actively working to help end human trafficking in Nepal.
David and Kristen Hynes both serve for an organization called ITEC (Indigenous People's Technology and Education Center). The mission of ITEC is to develop tools to train indigenous Christ followers in skills to open doors to the Gospel, and equipping others to do the same both domestically and abroad.
Converge MidAmerica
Helping people meet, know, and follow Jesus by starting churches, strengthening churches, and global missions.
Deer Ridge Ministries
Dave and Louise Decker run Deer Ridge Ministries in Freeport. They support pastors and spouses through rest and renewal retreats.
Reidgeway Women's Clinic
Offering compassion, hope, and help to women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Licensed medical professional helping to answer questions you have about pregnancy and abortion in a comfortable, judgement-free environment.
Loaves and Fish Food Pantry, Mt. Morris
Food pantry serving residents of Mt. Morris and Leaf River.
We have partnered with Samaritan’s purse to be able to provide gifts to children all over the world. Specifically we collect boxes through the months of October and November. However we also periodically send people to regional warehouses in order to help in various ways to prepare for these Christmas gifts that are given to these children.
HELPING PEOPLE FOLLOW JESUS