Who we are
OUR MISSION
The mission of Centreville Baptist Church is to make Jesus known by reaching our community with the gospel and making disciples who follow Him fully.
OUR VISION
Our vision at Centreville Baptist Church is to see lives transformed by Jesus as we grow together through Christ-centered worship, in-depth Sunday School groups, and intentional discipleship for adults, youth and children. We are committed to reaching our community with the hope of the gospel, equipping every believer to live on mission where they live, work, and serve.
Statement of Faith
Baptist Faith and Message 2000
The Scriptures
The Bible is God’s inspired Word, revealing Himself to humanity. It is completely true, trustworthy, and the ultimate authority for life, faith, and doctrine. It points to salvation in Christ and remains the standard by which all beliefs and actions are to be measured.
God
There is one living and true God—Creator, Redeemer, and Ruler of all—who is infinite in holiness, power, and knowledge. He exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons with distinct roles but one divine essence.
God the Father lovingly rules over all things according to His perfect will and grace. He is Father to all but becomes Father in truth to those who trust in Jesus Christ.
God the Son, Jesus Christ, is fully God and fully man. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, He lived without sin, fulfilled God’s law, died in our place, rose again, and ascended to heaven. He now reigns as our Mediator and will return to judge and restore all things.
God the Holy Spirit is fully divine and active in the world—revealing truth, convicting hearts, regenerating believers, and empowering the church for worship, growth, and mission. His presence assures believers of their salvation and transformation into Christlikeness.
Man
Man is uniquely created by God in His image, male and female, as the crown of His creation. Though originally innocent, man sinned by free choice, bringing sin and brokenness into the world. All people inherit a sinful nature and stand in need of God's grace. Yet every person has inherent dignity and worth, being made in God’s image and redeemed through Christ, and is deserving of love and respect.
Salvation
Salvation is the gracious work of God that redeems the whole person and is offered freely to all who trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It includes regeneration, where the Holy Spirit gives new life as the sinner responds in repentance and faith; justification, where God pardons sin and declares the believer righteous; sanctification, the ongoing growth in holiness through the Spirit’s power; and glorification, the final and eternal state of the redeemed in God’s presence. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Grace
Election is God’s gracious and sovereign choice to save sinners, in a way that honors human responsibility and brings about regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. It reveals His goodness and leads to humility, not pride.
All true believers will persevere to the end. Though they may stumble through sin and temptation, God sustains them by His power, and they will never fall away from His saving grace.
The Church
A New Testament church is a local body of baptized believers, united by faith in the gospel and committed to Christ’s teachings. It observes the ordinances, exercises spiritual gifts, and seeks to share the gospel globally. Governed by Christ through the participation of its members, the church recognizes two biblical offices: pastor (limited to qualified men) and deacon. The universal Church is the Body of Christ, made up of all believers from every age and nation.
Baptism & The Lord’s Supper
Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, symbolizing faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and signifying new life in Him. It is an act of obedience and a prerequisite for church membership and the Lord’s Supper.
The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act where believers remember Christ’s death and look forward to His return by partaking of the bread and cup.
The Lord’s Day
The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God is His rule over all and His reign in the hearts of those who trust Jesus. Believers are called to pray and work for its coming, which will be fully realized when Christ returns at the end of the age.
Evangelism & Missions
Every follower of Christ and His church is called to make disciples of all nations. The new birth brings a love for others and a spiritual duty to share the gospel. Christ commands all believers to witness verbally and through their lives, seeking to win the lost to Him.
The Family
God established the family as the foundation of society, consisting of those related by marriage, blood, or adoption. Marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, reflecting Christ’s union with the church and providing companionship, biblical sexual expression, and procreation.
Husband and wife are equal before God, each created in His image. The husband loves, leads, and protects his family; the wife respectfully supports and helps him. Children are a blessing from the Lord, and parents are called to model God’s design, teach biblical values, and lovingly guide their children, who are to honor and obey them.
This statement of faith is a concise version for easy reading. Additional statements not included here can be accessed quickly by clicking the link to the left.
Our Staff
Dr Donnie Payne-Transitional Pastor
Dr. Payne is a retired pastor who now serves with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, assisting churches during times of pastoral transition. At Centreville Baptist Church, he faithfully preaches God’s Word and provides wise guidance as the church seeks the man God is calling to serve as its next Senior Pastor. His presence is a steady and prayerful support, helping prepare hearts for what God has in store.
TJ Phelps- Student Pastor
TJ Phelps joined our team in the summer of 2020 with his wife and three children. With 20 years of ministry experience, TJ brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to his role. He is a graduate of the University of West Alabama and is currently finishing seminary studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Leah Downs- Children’s Minister
Leah and her family have been longtime members of our church. Since becoming Children’s Minister in 2017, Leah has brought vibrant energy and enthusiasm that has positively impacted our children and the wider community. She is a graduate of the University of Montevallo and a certified teacher.
Terry Barksdale- Music Minister
Terry is currently serving as our interim worship pastor and brings a rich history of leading worship in churches across Alabama. He is a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is passionate about guiding others in Christ-centered worship.
Donald Perry- Finance and Eduction
Donald has been a lifelong member and active participant at Centreville Baptist. He joined the team in 1990 as Financial and Education Secretary. Donald is a graduate of the University of Montevallo.
Susan Wilkerson- Office Administrator
Susan joined our team in 2017, bringing over 30 years of office administration experience. As the backbone of our organization, her dedication and skill—especially in print media—play a vital role in helping us reach our community.
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