"...Sir, we wish to see Jesus..." John 12:21
Post Office Box 17380, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72117, United States
Celebrate - Unite - Honor
Hello!
Welcome!
I want to take a moment to extend a very warm welcome to you visiting my website.
To give you some idea of what I am all about, I'll quickly sketch some of my foundational beliefs.
My slogan says this: Celebrate – Unite - Honor
So first, I celebrate. I am all about celebrating Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus was who he said he was, the Son of God who came and died for our sins.
Secondly, I unite. I am all about people and uniting them together and to Jesus. Every person I talk to is important to me, the eternal state of their soul is important. So, if you ever feel like just another number, I am doing something wrong and I give you permission to tell me about it. I WANT you to tell me!
Thirdly, I honor. I honor the Lord with study, prayer, worship and Biblical teaching and preaching. I encourage others to have a daily prayer and study time in God's word.
I am also about developing relationships. I hope to not only cultivate and grow meaningful and positive relationships between the people God places in my life; but also teaching others to go further by getting and growing in a relationship with God. Christianity is all about a Person, and less about a set of rules. That means that we exist to be in a relationship with Someone, that's Jesus, and merely not to obey a religion.
If you have a specific prayer request, please take the courage to write an email using the contact form page.
I would love to pray for you, but if you don't ask, I don’t know your needs, so I encourage you to make use of this opportunity and allow me to serve you in this way.
Serving Him,
- Rev. Justin L. Gates
Breif Statement of Beliefs
I include and affirm the identities and experiences of all God’s people.
The Tenants of Rev. Justin L. Gates
Respect: I affirm respect for all God’s creation and embrace God’s Genesis acclamation: “God looked at everything that had been made and found it very good.” (Gen 1:31) Christian unity does not grow from agreement but instead from respect for our differences.
Diversity: I affirm that God’s creation story expresses and reveals a rich tapestry of differences and beauty. I recognize that by embracing diversity we encounter a fuller expression of God.
Inclusion: I affirm a re-emerging scriptural tradition that instructs us that God’s table must be open to all the People of God. I practice inclusion of all expressions of God’s creation: race, sex, age, culture, sexual orientation and faith journey.
Welcoming: I affirm a lavish unconditional welcome for all of the People of God and seek to create sacred places for the People of God and within the People of God. I celebrate and honor God’s love for all of creation.
Evangelical: I believe that no one is excluded from the love of God through Jesus Christ. My mission is founded on the expression of this good news. All of us are called to return to God’s embrace and to recognize God’s unconditional love. I seek to preach and practice God’s words of love and grace for all.
Scriptural: I affirm the Holy Scripture as an expression of God’s unconditional love for us and I recognize that these teachings are spiritual bread for our journeys with God and one another
I believe in the following doctrinal statements:
- The Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It is the final authority for all matters of faith and practice.
- God is the creator of all things, both visible and invisible.
- Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, and it is received by faith alone in Jesus Christ. It is not earned through good works or personal merit.
- The church is the body of Christ and is composed of all believers in Jesus Christ. It is called to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples of all nations.
- I seek to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the Bible and to glorify God in all that we do.
- I confirm and recognize the following sacraments to ALL people.
- Baptism
- Communion (Eucharist)
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Reconciliation/Anointing
- Sacraments further explained:
- Holy Baptism
What is Holy Baptism?
Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as children and makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God.
What is the outward and visible sign in Baptism?
The outward and visible sign in Baptism is water, in which the person is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
What is the inward and spiritual grace in Baptism?
The inward and spiritual grace in Baptism is union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God’s family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit.
What is required of us at Baptism?
It is required that we renounce Satan, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Why then are infants baptized?
Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God.
How are the promises for infants made and carried out?
Promises are made for them by their parents and sponsors, who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him. - Confirmation
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.
What is required of those to be confirmed?
It is required of those to be confirmed that they have been baptized, are sufficiently instructed in the Christian Faith, are penitent for their sins, and are ready to affirm their confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. - Holy Communion
What is the Holy Communion?
Holy Communion is the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again.
Why is Communion called a sacrifice?
Because communion (the Eucharist), the Church’s sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, is the way by which the sacrifice of Christ is made present, and in which he unites us to his one offering of himself.
By what other names is this service known?
The Holy Communion is called the Lord’s Supper, and Holy Eucharist; it is also known as the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, and the Great Offering.
What is the outward and visible sign in communion?
The outward and visible sign in communion is bread and wine, given and received according to Christ’s command.
What is the inward and spiritual grace given in communion?
The inward and spiritual grace in the Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ given to his people and received by faith.
What are the benefits which we receive in the Lord’s Supper?
The benefits we receive are the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet which is our nourishment in eternal life.
What is required of us when we come to Holy Communion?
It is required that we should examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people. - Matrimony
What is Holy Matrimony?
Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which those coming to the church to seek this sacrament enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows. - Penance - Reconciliation (Confession)
What is Reconciliation of a Penitent?
Reconciliation of a Penitent, or Penance, is the rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest, or bishop and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution. - Unction of the sick (anointing of the sick with Holy Oil and Prayer)
What is Unction of the Sick?
Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God’s grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind and body.
- Holy Baptism
The People's Pastor
Rev. Justin L. Gates
- Minister since 2002.
- Licensed in 2005.
- Ordained in 2007.
- Methodist Licensed & Credentialed in 2017
