About Us

You may be wondering why the gospel is so important and what role it plays in becoming a Christian. According to the Bible, Christians are those who have admitted that they are sinners, repented of their sin, and called upon the name of Jesus to redeem them from their sin. According to the gospel message, salvation is not the result of performing good works, being a good person, going to church, being baptized, or observing the Lord’s Supper. These are certainly important practices for Christians, but these actions do not make someone a Christian. In other words, you cannot enter heaven through what you do. Redemption is only possible through the hope found in the gospel. God’s word teaches that only those who trust in what Jesus did on the cross and through his resurrection can be saved from their sin and from hell.

Foundational Bible verses that explain the gospel would include:

1. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified [i.e., saved] by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23–24).

2. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

3. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

4. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified [i.e., saved], and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9–10).

5. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16–17).

6. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).

7. “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God” (1 John 4:15).

You cannot become a Christian through good works, religion, or high moral standards. As a sinner, no matter what you have done, you can be saved by humbling yourself before God, repenting of your sin, placing your faith in Christ alone, and calling upon his name to redeem you by his grace. Through humble faith in Jesus, God will adopt you into his family and make you a new creature. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Apostle Paul writes, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

There are no magic words that you have to say to be saved. If you come humbly before God with a truly repentant heart, God will save you. Remember, no sin is too big for God to forgive.

If you would like to receive Christ as your Savior, here is a sample prayer of how you can ask Jesus to save you:

“Lord, I come humbly into your presence, admitting that I’m a sinner. I have been living a life of rebellion against you and your word. I know that I can’t save myself from my sin. I also know that I can’t earn my way to heaven through my good works or by keeping a list of rules. That’s why I’m calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ right now to redeem me. I confess that Jesus is the Lamb of God, the one who died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin. Jesus is the true Son of God who rose from the dead. I believe that only the shed blood of Jesus can wash away my sin. So God, I repent, and accept the truth by faith that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Forgive me of my sin, God, and save me. Adopt me into your family by your grace and become my Heavenly Father. Amen!"

Jay currently serves as the lead pastor of Grace Baptist Church and as the president of Wilmington Christian Academy in Wilmington, North Carolina. He is also the founder and president of Wondrous Word Ministries. Before entering pastoral ministry in 2002, he spent more than a decade working in the health care industry. With over twenty years of preaching and pastoral experience, he offers a seasoned perspective on Scripture and gospel ministry. Jay holds a BS from Salisbury University, and an MDiv, and DMin from Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary.

Jay is available for podcasts, interviews, and speaking engagements as his schedule allows. Please fill out the form found under Inquiries and Scheduling to submit a request.