What We Believe About…

The Bible

The Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. It is the revelation of Himself to mankind. It is the final authority in determining all doctrinal matters.

II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:19-21

We are saved by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection. Man cannot save himself through good works, human efforts, or through faith in any other person, thing, or doctrine apart from the truth of the Scriptures. Salvation is a gift from God, not of any human efforts.

Romans 3:23-25, 6:1-23; Ephesians 2:8-22

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

All Christians are filled with the Spirit at the moment of salvation and are given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit and Jesus Himself. The gifts that we see exercised in Scripture have not ceased. They are available today and are to be eagerly desired and practiced in submission to the Spirit through the Scriptures.

Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 12:1-31

The trinity

There is only one God, who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are co-equal and co-eternal with distinct personal attributes, but without division.

The Father
God the Father is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-wise. He is Father to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus.
Jesus Christ
Jesus is the son of God the Father. He is fully human and fully God. He was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life and willingly gave his life for the redemption of people. He was raised from the dead and is now at the right hand of the Father. He will return to the earth to judge and rule.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and provides spiritual gifts.

Mark 1:9-11; Matthew 6:9, 28:19; Romans 1:3-4; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; John. 16:7-14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16

The kingdom

The Kingdom of God includes both His general rule over the universe and His rule over people who acknowledge him as King. This Kingdom is through salvation in Jesus Christ who will one day rule the earth when he returns at the end of this age.

Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 13:1-52; Revelation 11:15

Eternity

God created humans as eternal beings. Each person will spend eternity in a literal Heaven (the dwelling place of God) or a literal Hell (the absence of God’s presence).

Matthew 25:31-46; Hebrews 11:16; II Corinthians 5:1; Revelation 20:12-15

Water Baptism

Baptism by immersion in water is a direct commandment of Jesus and is for believers (those who are born again) only. It is a symbol of our death to sin, burying the old life, and being raised to a new life in Jesus.

Matthew 28:19

The Lord’s Supper

A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. We practice open communion, meaning communion is available to any Christian believer even if not a member of Family Church. We typically take communion weekly during our services centered in a time of prayer.

Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25

View Full Statement of Beliefs

PASTORS

JEREMY AND LAUREN THOMAS

REDFIELD CAMPUS PASTOR

Jeremy Thomas serves as the Campus Pastor of Family Church in Redfield, Arkansas. He was raised in a Christian home as the son of a pastor, where a love for Scripture was developed at an early age. Growing up, he enjoyed reading and studying the Bible, laying a strong foundation for both his faith and future calling.

In 2003, Jeremy graduated from pharmacy school and went on to serve as a pharmacy professor for 20 years. During that time, he discovered a deep passion for teaching and helping others grow—skills that continue to shape his ministry today. Moving to Redfield in 2009, Family Church and the Redfield community became home.

After faithfully serving as an elder and youth minister, he sensed a clear call from God into full-time ministry. He is passionate about biblical teaching, discipleship, and seeing lives transformed through a growing relationship with Christ.

He is married to his wife, Lauren, and together they are raising five children.

RICH AND SHANNON ROBERTS

White Hall Campus Pastor

Richard and Shannon have attended Family Church since May 2000. Both were born and raised in the Pine Bluff/White Hall area. They met at a White Hall High football game, fell madly in love, and married in 1993. They have two children and two grandchildren. Richard has served in various ministries throughout Family Church, including Children’s, Youth, Worship, Deacon, Elder, and the preaching team.

Shannon has also served in various ministries: Youth, Deacon, Women, and the preaching team. Richard was ordained as a pastor by Family Church in July 2022.

Richard and Shannon enjoy the Arkansas outdoors and love hiking the trails. They enjoy traveling and trying out all kinds of new foods. Richard enjoys sports, music, playing guitar, and yard work.

ROOSEVELT AND BETTY BROWN

PINE BLUFF Campus Pastor

Roosevelt and Betty have attended Family Church since July 2009. Roosevelt was born and raised in Alabama, Betty was born and raised in Ohio. They met at in the U.S. Air Force in Texas and were married February 20, 1987, in Pennsylvania. They have three children Abraham, Phillip, and Rachel. Roosevelt and Betty have served in many areas in Family Church such as Children’s, Veterans Ministry, Marriage Conferences, Heart 2 Heart Women, Ironman, Celebrate Recovery, and the preaching team. Roosevelt was ordained as a pastor by Family Church in 2017.

Roosevelt was first called into pastoral ministry in Pennsylvania where he served with the United Methodist Church from 1995-2009. Roosevelt studied Sociology at Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. He attended Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C., while serving two congregations. He and his wife sensed a called to Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 2008, left the U.M.C., and moved in 2009.

Roosevelt and Betty enjoy getting out seeing Arkansas, working in the yard, visiting with friends, fishing, and hiking when not pastoring. Their oldest child Abraham lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. Phillip, the second child lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rachel the third child lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.