Teenager Behind The Wheel

Well, I have finally entered a new phase in life, it is the area where My oldest son is now getting behins the wheel and starting to drive me around. (He is the reason for a picture of a Camaro.) I can well remember the day that my own father took me out and threw me behind the wheel of the car and then the "Public Service Announcements" began. In spite of all of the "legal disclaimers" and the "waiver" that I had to sign, both my dad and I made it through. I sat there the other day while my son, David James, was driving and I was remembering about those driving lessons that my father gave me, suddenly I realized that the nervous twitch that my father developed when I was 16 was in fact MY FAULT!

I was sitting there calmly giving instructions filled with Love, Wisdom and the occasional uttered prayer for protection, when I looked at David James. There sat a tall, skinny young man who was scared to death and NOT wanting to show it. I remember feeling that way when my dad was riding with me all those years ago.

I remember not wanting to mess up or make a single mistake, only I remember my dad saying to me more than once, "Don't worry about it, everybody makes mistakes at first." He was so right. We all make them at first, but the idea is that the more we practice the better we will become.

I find the same to be true in the Christian Life. We all make mistakes, the main point is to learn from them and grow. What a shame it is for people to make mistakes and NEVER learn or grow from them. Sadly, our churches throughout America and the World are full of people who seem to NEVER learn or grow from their mistakes. This should not be the case in your life. Let's ask God to help us to learn and grow from the mistakes we make.

I looked over at David James and I told him just what my dad told me. I will never forget the simple wisdom that I could always find, and still do, when I talk to my Father, I hope that one day my son will be able to say to me what I am NOW saying to my Father... "Thanks Dad!"

Here Is What's New In Our World.

Greetings to you!

Well, let me see if I can bring you up to speed. On February 3, 2008, my family and I were invited to come and preach that Sunday for the good folks at the Calvary Baptist Church, located in Grove Hill, Alabama. These folks were without a pastor and so they asked us to come and candidate for the position of Pastor.

We have known these people for many years, we had preached for them many times as an Evangelist over the years. We also came and preached for them for a couple of weeks this last summer after their former Pastor had resigned.They held a business meeting after the evening service and they voted to call us to be their Pastor!

My wife Suzette and I along with our 6 children have moved our belongings from Florida to Alabama.

A GREAT HONOR

One thing about being here that I am truly honored by, is that Calvary Baptist Church was once pastored by a "True Man Of God"! He is not only that, he is also my friend. I am truly honored to be able to stand in the same pulpit and pastor the same church as Dr. Danny Harvey. I would ask that you please remember to pray for Bro. Harvey's health. He is no longer able to pastor full time, but he is still preaching as well as he is a professor at Landmark Baptist College in Haines City, FL. (* Bro. Harvey shares my Love for the beauty of Lighthouses. That is why I put in the picture. I hope he likes it.)

IN THE MEAN TIME

We have been doing our best to Preach what the Lord lays on our heart for each service. We have been facing a few rough spots, the same old stuff about how some people are not happy unless they are "Running Down" the church and the new Pastor. We even are having to deal with a great deal of bad reputation that has been known in the community over the last several years.I would ask that you please keep us, My Family as well as the membership of Calvary Baptist Church, in your prayers.

Thank You,

In His Highest Service,

Pastor David J. Dunn

What I Believe

The Scriptures- We believe in the plenary, verbal, Divine inspiration of the Holy Bible. The Holy Scriptures of the Old (Masoretic Hebrew) and the New (Textus Receptus) Testaments are the inspired, inerrant Word of God; the complete and final revelation of God's will to man. The Word of God is the supreme standard of faith and practice (Isaiah 40:8; John 10:35; ll Timothy 3:16; ll Peter 1:19-21). The King James, AV 1611, is the inerrant Word of God, providentially preserved. There is no need to revise, update, correct, better explain, or change it in any way ( Revelation 22:18-10; Deuteronomy 4:2).

God- There is one supreme God, omnipotent, omniscient, manifesting Himself in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; one in nature, attributes, power and glory ( Genesis 1:1; Mark 12:29; Matthew 28:19; ll Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1-4; John 5:17-27; Philippians 2:6-11).

The Person and Work of Christ- Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. He is therefore true God and true Man. Jesus Christ is impeccable in His nature and sinless in His life. He died on the cross and shed His precious blood as an atonement for our sins; was buried and rose again the third day. he ascended into Heaven and as our High Priest intercedes for us. He is coming again for His church (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-4, 14; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 1:26-35; l Timothy 3:16).

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit- The Holy Spirit is a Divine person; the third Person of the Trinity. he is the administrator of the things of God; convicting of sin, revealing Christ, teaching the truth, restraining evil, energizing believers in prayer, worship, and service and is ever present in the believer as our Comforter and Helper (Psalm 139:7-12; John 7:38-39, 15:26, 16:3, 14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9; l Corinthians 6:19; ll Thessalonians 2).

Salvation and Security of the Believer- All who believe on Jesus Christ as Saviour are justified on the ground and merit of His shed blood on the cross, and are saved by grace through faith, wholly apart from human merit and works ( John 1:29; Acts 13:38-39; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:3-8). All who are born again by the Spirit of God through faith in Christ are eternally secure (John 5:24, 10:22-29; ll Timothy 1:12; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:32-39).

The Church- The local church is a called out assembly of believers who assemble together in obedience to Christ's command for this age. The local New Testament church is the agency through which God works to carry out the Great Commission to the lost and dying world ( Matthew 16:18, 18:17, 28:19-20; l Corinthians 1:2; Mark 16:15-16).

The Ordinances of the Local Church- There are two ordinances of the local church; Baptism and the Lords Supper. The Scriptural mode for Baptism is by immersion (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Matthew 3:16-17; l Corinthians 11:23-32).

The Personality of Satan- Satan is a real personality; a created being of great beauty and power, the prince of this world, the god of this air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. He fell through pride, and became enemy to God and deceiver of man. He will ultimately be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire (Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-14; Job 1:1; John 8:44; Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10).

The Eternal State- We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead; the saved to a life of eternal glory and bliss in Heaven with God; the unsaved to eternal judgment of conscious suffering and woe in the Lake of Fire ( John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:6, 11-15, 21:1-8; Matthew 10:28; ll Thessalonians 1:6-9 ).

The Millennium- After His personal, bodily, visible return at the end of the tribulation, the Lord Jesus Christ will establish His kingdom on earth and reign as the blessed and only potentate for one thousand years (l Timothy 6:14-15; Revelation 20:6-7; Isaiah 65:15-25).

The Great Commission- It is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to engage in personal evangelism and to do their utmost to give the Gospel of Christ to the whole world ( Matthew 4:19, 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8; John 17:18, 20-21).

Personal Separation- God's people are called to be separated people who abide in Christ, walk in the Spirit and enjoy victory over the world, flesh, and devil (Romans 12:11-2; Galatians 5:16; l John 2:15-17; Colossians 3:1-17; ll Corinthians 2:14).

Ecclesiastical Separation- In obedience to the Holy Word of God the people of God should practice Scriptural separation from all forms of ecclesiastical apostasy and compromise. This would include ( but not limited to) the Ecumenical Movement, Neo-Evangelicalism, and Neo-Orthodoxy ( Philippians 3:17-18; Romans 16:17-18; l Timothy 1:19-20; ll Timothy 3:5, 4:14; Ephesians 5:11; ll Corinthians 6:14-17; Titus 1:13, 3:10-11; ll Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; l Corinthians 5:11).

Charismatic Movement- We reject this movement and it's teachings of Faith Healers and it's speaking in tongues as evidence of being filled with the Spirit.

Music- Music should be Christ Honoring and not Glorifying the individual(s) who sing or play it.

My Testimony

I was saved when I was 16 years old, during a City Wide Crusade that my home church was hosting. Evangelist Jerry Johnston was preaching that Wednesday Evening on the subject of “The Holy Spirit”. I was sitting with some of my friends that night and the more that Bro. Jerry preached the deeper and deeper I fell under conviction that I was truly lost and headed straight for Hell.You see, I was born and raised in a Preacher’s home, my parents believed in being faithful to church, so I was in church the Sunday after I was born. I was raised under my Christian parents and under the preaching of my dad, Evangelist Darrell Dunn and many other men like my Pastor (at the time.) Dr. Lee Roberson, Bro. Lester Roloff, Dr. John R. Rice, Dr. Bill Rice & Dr. Jack Hyles.
I knew all about the Bible, I was taught about it at home, at Church and in School. I had taken my Bible and led many people to the Lord, however I did NOT know Him as my own PERSONAL Savior. At the time of the crusade I was even the Chaplain for my Class in High School. I was Lost but yet I served as the Chaplain. What a Fraud I was!That night I sat there trying my best to close out everything that the preacher was saying, he was getting on my nerves and I was somewhat successful in shutting his words out of my mind for a time. I was just thinking about making it through the service. I told myself that if I could just live through this one service then I could “Fake” some mystery illness to get out of having to come back. Man, was I ever kidding myself. One thing that I know about the Lord is that when He wants to get a hold on you, He will do it!
I sat there doing my best to not listen and the Lord reached down and opened my ears. When He did, Bro. Jerry made this statement: “Young people, someone in here tonight is running from God. You have shut your ears to the preaching of the truth that is found in the Word of God. What’s more is that you know the truth, you know the Bible. I want you to know that God knows who you are and He is going to make sure that the Word finds it’s way into your heart.” After he said this I shut him out again. I sat there thinking that Bro. Jerry was talking directly to me!I kept telling myself that I was ok, I could make it, I was going to be just fine.I was sitting there lying to myself when the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart and said: “David, this is your last chance, get it settled, your lost. IT’S NOW OR NEVER!”I sat there a moment longer when again God opened my ears, Bro. Jerry then said: “Someone in here tonight, God has just said to you that this is your last chance” Bro. Jerry went on and said: “He has just said to you that it is NOW OR NEVER!” then my ears were shut again. I sat there as the invitation started going over it in my mind, I was trying to convince myself that it couldn’t be true. Just then, the devil whispered to me and said: “Oh Dave, don’t worry about it, your Ok, your not a bad person, you’ll be fine. Besides everyone in this church knows you, they know you are the son of a Baptist preacher, how embarrassing will it be for your parents, they already think your saved, they will be ashamed. What about all of your friends, you’re a Chaplain, they will all know that you have lied to them about it. It just isn’t worth all of the grief that is envoled, just let it go, your Ok.” I stood there gripping the pew in front of me with white knuckles, then I heard those words echo again in my mind: “IT’S NOW OR NEVER!”
I stepped out that Wednesday night, March 19, 1985, walked down that aisle to the front where my Youth Pastor, Bro. Abb Thomas was standing. I told him through my tears that I was lost and needed to be saved, he cried with me and took me to the same verses that I had used many times to show others how to find salvation. Praise the Lord, I know with out a single doubt that I am on my way to heaven.

It was just a little over a year later that I was at a Youth Conference where God called me to preach the gospel. I have been preaching now for just over 22 years, 15 years as an Evangelist traveling and holding revival meetings, youth camps, rally’s, soul winning classes teaching people how to reach others, and then continuing the cycle teaching the ones they bring to Christ how to go and do the same. I am blessed to be a servant of God. I know of no greater calling that the one I have received to give my life to the furthering of the Kingdom of Christ.

In His Highest Service,

Pastor David J. Dunn