EMMAUS BAPTIST CHURCH
is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention
and is a member of Union Baptist Association in Norman

The name "Emmaus" is taken from the story in Luke 24
where the resurrected Jesus was walking with two disciples from Jerusalem
 "on the road to Emmaus."

Important Dates for Emmaus Baptist Church:

December 7, 1986
Constituted as a church - Robin Butler, pastor

June 19, 1993
Mike Booth becomes the second pastor of Emmaus

Our Purpose Statement:

Our purpose is to help people build their relationship with Jesus Christ and each other.

People matter to God. He wants everyone to have a personal relationship with Him and to become fully devoted followers of Christ.

Our Philosophy of Ministry:

As a church we are committed to the following values and principles:

1. The Bible is our authority.
   We see the Bible as the authority for determining our purpose and structure.
   Scriptural References: Psalm 1:2, 119:11,72,105,130,140; Proverbs 16:9; 29:18; 2Timothy 3:16; Peter 1:21
   
   
2. Salvation is offered as a free gift by Jesus Christ and is received by faith.
   Sin separated man from God. the payment for mankind's sin was paid-in-full by Jesus Christ and He offers to restore our relationship to God as a free gift. There is nothing that man can add to that work to receive salvation. A person must believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to get to heaven. Faith is the means by which man trusts Christ and receives the free gift of eternal life.
   Scriptural References: John 3:16; 14:3-6; Ephesians 2: 8-10; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 12:3
   
   
3. Trusting Christ is a process that is most effectively facilitated through friendships with believers.
   Salvation is the result of repentance and receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior. In a practical way, the Lord often uses believers to lead their friends to Christ. As a result, a church is committed to "relational-process" driven evangelism rather than a majoring on a "program-driven" evangelism.
   Scriptural References: Matthew 5:29; John 1:40-48; 12:20-22; 16:23-31; Acts 1:8; 18:2-4; Romans 9:1-3; Colossians 4:5-6
   
   
4. Changed lives is our "business".
   The truths of the Bible, ministered in grace, within the fellowship of believers, produce changed lives. For lives to be changed, all three elements are necessary. We must always ask ourselves, "How is 'business'?"
   Scriptural References: Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Peter 1:16
   
   
5. Every believer is a minister, gifted by God to benefit of the Body of Christ.
   Every believer receives spiritual gifts at the time of salvation. It is through these gifts, believers find fulfillment and effectiveness in serving Christ. Therefore, we are dedicated to assisting believers in discovering, developing and demonstrating their gifts. We are also committed to a church organization built on spiritual gifts.
   Scriptural References: Romans 12; 1Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4; 1 Peter 4
   
   
6. Methods are not to be confused with purpose.
   We recognize that our God given purpose will never change. It is our understanding that methods must change as the needs of people change.
   Scriptural Reference: Matthew 9:27-30; 20:28; Mark 8:22-23; Luke 19:10; John 6:38; 9:1-7
   
   
7. The spiritual needs of believers and seekers differ vastly.
   Those who have a personal relationship with God need to worship God and be taught Biblical truths. Those who are seeking a relationship with God need a trustworthy and safe place to investigate the claims of Christ. We are committed to strive for excellence in developing ministries that are sensitive to the needs of both.
   
   Our Sunday morning worship services are seeker sensitive, communicating the claims of Christ through word, music, drama and other innovative means.
   
   Our Sunday evening and Wednesday evening worship services focus on leading believers to worship God and to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
   Scriptural References:
   Seekers: 1 Corinthians 9:22-23; 14:22-25; Colossians 4:2-6; 1Thessalonians 2:6
   Believers: Matthew 28:19-20; 4:11-12; 1Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22; 4:11-12; 5:19-20; Colossians 1:24; 4:12; 1Timothy 2:1-2; 4:6,13, 16; 2 Timothy 2:2; 3:16; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 5:10
   
   
8. Ministry is a reflection of our love for God and therefore should be done with excellence.
   Christian character, attitudes, love and integrity are of ultimate value in all that we do.
   Scriptural References: Proverbs 10:9; 11:3; Romans 12:2;
   1 Corinthians 10:31; 12:31 13:13; Philippines 1:9-11; 2: 5-11, 15; 4:8-9; Colossians 1:10-12; 3:12; 2 Timothy 2:15, 21
   
   
9. Helping people build their relationship with Jesus Christ is a more urgent need than confronting their actions.
   Our focus is to affect change from the inside out, not from the outside in. Society is best changed by changed people.
   Scriptural References: Luke 19:1-9; John 8:1-11; 12:1-11