About Us

About God

God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

About Man

Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates man from God.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2

About Eternity

Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:31-46

About Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13

About Salvation

Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works – only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

About Eternal Security

Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

About The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under his control daily.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1

About The Bible

The Bible is God’s word to all men. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

About Baptism

Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Baptism does not save you, but shows the world that you have already been saved. And while baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ.

Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 2: 8-9; Matthew 28:19-20

About Communion

Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us and to symbolize the new covenant. The elements of bread and wine or juice are symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is not a means of salvation. Rather, it is a testament of a believer’s faith in the atoning work of the cross.

Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19,20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

A History of Faith Baptist Church

A group of called out believers began Faith Baptist Church on August 13, 1995 in a meeting at Tommy’s Restaurant in Cashiers. Soon after, church officers were elected, a constitution was drafted, and Tommy Madden was elected as first Pastor. Faith was under the watchcare of the Tuckasegee Baptist Association for one full year and was given full membership into the Association. The church met briefly at Barker’s Creek Community Building and fifty-five (55) people signed as charter members. The first attendance report showed an average Sunday School attendance of fifty-eight (58) and an average morning worship attendance of seventy-four (74). The church also met at this time at Melton-Riddle Funeral Home and even East LaPorte Picnic Area. Faith held its first “Homecoming” service on September 29, 1996 with the Rev. Chuck Parrott speaking. On October 8, 1995, the church moved to the old Scotts Creek School where it remained for the next five and a half years. There were 58 reported in Sunday School and 72 in worship service. On October 29, 1995 a first building fund offering in the amount of $11,091.11 was taken and a second offering of $18,834.25 was taken on November 12, 1995. The first baptismal service was held at Cashiers Baptist Church on November 12, 1995 with 79 members in attendance. On December 17, 1995 the church held its first Christmas Program, “Bless That Wonderful Name,” with 63 in Sunday School and 103 during worship. The church’s first Easter Service was April 7, 1996 with 90 in attendance. An all day Vacation Bible School and Commencement was held at East LaPorte Picnic area on May 18, 1996. Faith joined with Webster Baptist Church in VBS the summers of 1997 and 98. On July 29, 1998 Faith invited the youth group “Witness” to sing at SCC advertising and extending an invitation countywide. Tommy Madden resigned on March 29, 1998 to accept a call to Enon Baptist Church in Brevard and Gene Hawkins accepted the call as interim pastor on September 16, 1998 and preached his first sermon on September 20, 1998. Mike Valentine was chairman of the Pulpit Committee and the vote was made on May 16, 1999 to make Rev. Hawkins as Faith’s second full time pastor. On June 3, 2001 the church held its first service in the former “Venture Out'' building on highway 441 in the Savannah community. Property was purchased in 1997 from Kelvin Monteith along Hwy 116 Webster Highway across from Southwestern Community College and plans were made for construction of a new building. A dedication program was held on the site with Tommy Madden leading the service. Suzanne Hyde’s father arranged the use of dirt moving machinery from Phillips and Jordan to doze out for a new building. A contract was made with J.A. Payne to construct a 6,448 sq. ft.., five classroom new building. The new building committee included: Mark DeHart, chairman, Randy Crawford, John Brooks, Mitch Hyde, and C. L. Proffitt. The church moved briefly into Fairview School on October 5, 2003 to save making rent payments. The church moved into its permanent home on Webster Road and held its first service on May 16, 2004. The church held its first ever Bible School in the new building June 18 – 23, 2006. On Wednesday, April 13,2011 Pastor Gene Hawkins felt led by the Holy Spirit to resign effective Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Reverend J.D. Grant preached his first sermon as a long term interim on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, 2011 and was affirmed by the membership at a business meeting on May 18. He felt led to conclude his interim on Sunday, May 31, 2012. Reverend Peter Mudge was elected as pastor on Sunday, May 19, 2013 by a unanimous vote. We are blessed to say that Pastor Mudge continues daily to faithfully and humbly serve at Faith Baptist Church.