OUR BELIEFS
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? … For I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.” -Isaiah 43:18-19a, 20b-21 ESV
INTRODUCTION:
Our church is inviting, friendly and family oriented. We understand and appreciate the power of prayer and can honestly say that we are a praying church.
We regularly appeal to our Lord Jesus Christ for our family, friends and neighbors. We pray for them to seek Jesus Christ as their Savior. We further encourage them to develop an ongoing personal relationship with Him.
We reach outside the walls of our building to touch those who are hurting as well as minister to those within our own church family.
OUR BELIEFS:
We believe in the inerrancy of the Holy Bible; that from Genesis through Revelations it is God-breathed. Our belief is that God’s son, Jesus, was born of a virgin, died on a cross, rose from the tomb, ascended to the Father and is coming again, just as He said. He is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we are committed to witness to the unsaved, teach obedience to the saved, and minister to all, thus fulfilling the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20
OUR VISION:
“To be a biblical community where the Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms lives, renews the city, and impacts the world.”
CHURCH BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
In 1961 BaylorBaptistChurch organized. It was the vision of a small group of individuals that a Baptist church should maintain a presence in the downtown Ennis area. Property on the corner of Preston and Baylor was obtained, thus our name became Baylor Baptist Church. Our motto remains:
“In the heart of Ennis, for the hearts of Ennis”.
Baylor affiliates with the Ellis Baptist Association, Baptist General Convention of Texas (Texas Baptists) and the Southern Baptist Convention.
The traditional style sanctuary, offices, Sunday school rooms and nursery were constructed in 1961. Additional Sunday school classrooms were added in 1969, due to a growing congregation. This two-story structure was named The McGahey Annex after our first Pastor. These rooms are still in use today.
In 1998 the Fellowship Hall/Family Life Center was added to our property. This structure included a youth loft, pre-kindergarten area and nursery. The congregation was able to pay-off the loan early. The bank note was burned in a celebration in 2008.
The Pre-Kindergarten Program phased out in 2010 and that area was converted to offices and a conference room. Work was completed primarily by volunteers in 2011. Baylor Baptist Church is proud to be debt free. A number of Baylor’s charter members are still serving faithfully. We celebrated our 50th Anniversary in September 2011.
OUR CHURCH STRUCTURE:
Baylor is governed by a constitution and by-laws, which includes a deacon body and a committee system. The pastor, minister of music and education and youth minister positions are selected by a search committee then recommended to the congregation for a vote. In a pastor transition period, the deacon body evaluates, interviews and makes final recommendations for an interim pastor. The deacon body prepares a covenant agreement which covers the details of the interim period. The interim pastor candidate is brought before the congregation for a vote. The secretary position is filled by the Personnel Committee.
STEWARDSHIP:
We believe that biblical stewardship involves the proper management of all that God has given us…time, money, abilities, etc…to expand His Kingdom “
Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2) and “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Therefore, we encourage every member to adopt a lifestyle of stewardship that recognizes God’s ownership of everything and to practice the biblical principle of tithing to support the work of the church.
OUR INVITATION
You are invited to become part of the fellowship of Baylor Baptist Church by:
Profession of Faith
If one professes faith in Jesus as Savior, and desires to pattern his life after Christ’s teachings, then the church may receive that person as a candidate for baptism.
Letter
If one has been baptized by immersion in another Baptist church, and wishes to join our church, then the church may accept that person as a member by receiving a church letter from their former church.
Statement
A Baptist may join our church by statement when it is not possible for various reasons to get a church letter from his former church.
Baptism
If one knows himself to be a follower of Christ, but belongs to another denomination and desires to unite with Baylor, then that person may be received by baptist if he desires to accept the Baptist Faith.