June 24th, 2024
In this update: Baptisms | Purpose | Meet the Pastor
Since the last update, there has been considerable progress. Through prayer and the dedication of Clearview's congregation, we have seen remarkable initial achievements. In this update, I aim to share with you what is unfolding in Cornelia, GA for the cause of Christ.
Baptisms!
The significance of baptism cannot be understated. While baptism itself does not grant eternal life, it serves as a beautiful outward expression of a person's inner faith. We baptize to follow Christ's command, and by doing so, we publicly declare our faith in Him. And what a powerful declaration it is! In leading the congregation at Clearview to better days, on June 16th, Pastor Johnny called for an afternoon baptism service in a local river because he knew several in the church had not publicly declared their faith through the immersion of biblical baptism. After all that happened that day, they baptized a total of 16 people!
As the Gospel continues to advance through the efforts of Clearview, this wonderful time of exercising one of our wonderful ordinances is only the beginning of many more baptisms for God's glory! Please pray that many more will come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord in this community. Jason Ivester, commenting on his love for Clearview said, "this church is my family. It's just where I love to praise God at".
This church is my family. It's just where I love to praise God at". - Jason Ivester
Purpose
Sometimes we need guardrails. Sometimes, we need clarity. These are two of many reasons why a church needs a Purpose Statement. Anyone who has spent any amount of time in the church will readily recognize the importance of focus and boundaries. We are "prone to wander" as the hymnodist Robert Robinson wrote in 1758. Hence, it is crucial for a church to embrace its identity and aspirations as it pursues the path of following Christ.
Last night, June 23rd, this is the Purpose Statement Clearview Baptist Church adopted:
We exist to be a beacon of hope and faith in our community, nurturing spiritual growth and spreading God's love.
Hope. Growth. Love.
Meet the Pastor
Pastor Johnny Johnson and his wife Heather
In order to get to know the pastor of Clearview, I thought it would be helpful to ask him a few questions.
- What's the story behind becoming the pastor at Clearview?
In June of 2010, I was asked to preach on a Wednesday night. The person they wanted couldn't make it - they really had no interest in me at that point, but they needed someone to fill the pulpit that night. There were men lined up for future Sunday services, but after preaching on that Wednesday night, they asked for me to come back the next Wednesday. From there, they asked me to come back the following Sunday. By that Sunday night, I was asked to take the church and was voted in. Now, the original group is mostly gone. Through the years, there has been many struggles to keep the church going. And yet, God has always made a way. One area of the most consistent ways God has kept us functioning is our motorcycle ministry - it has been a real help to others as provided benefit rides and reached out.
- Tell us about your family?
My wife's name is Heather. We have been married for twenty-nine years. I have four children who are all married and active in church. We also have twelve granddaughters with number thirteen on the way.
- What are you trusting God to do through this revitalization work?
I have always believed that though the road has been long, God has a plan for Clearview Baptist Church. And I am trusting that God will use us to restore the structure and energize the people. We want to be a help to those around us.
Will you join me in praying for Pastor Johnny and his family?
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: - Eph. 4:11-12
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