Call to Christ
It all begins with a call to Christ. Only in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can you find forgiveness of sins and purpose for living. Our chief concern for all people is that they commit their lives to Him. You can answer the call to follow Jesus, be baptized and not become a member of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church if you desire. Have you chosen to follow Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? Click on THE STORY to learn more.
Call to Membership
Is God calling you to join Johnson Ferry? Members are more than just names in a database—our members are the core of the church, committed to discipleship, lived out in community.
Jesus said 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.' This verse describes the expectation for every member at Johnson Ferry. We encourage you to seriously and prayerfully answer these questions before seeking membership.
As we strive to be more like Jesus, we seek to fulfill these precepts through the power of the Holy Spirit: As you love the Lord your God—
- Do you have a regular personal time each day with the Lord?
- Do you attend a weekly corporate worship?
- Are you a member of a Bible study?
- Do you seriously attempt to incorporate Bible principles into your everyday life?
- As a follower of Jesus, do you love God and not money? The 10% tithe is only the starting place.
- Every believer has been gifted by the Holy Spirit with talent to be used in ministry.
- Are you prepared to invest the gift you have been given at JFBC?
- Are you a faithful and positive witness to the name of Jesus both inside and outside your home?
Membership Preparations
Meet with a Connection Team Member
Trained members of our church will be happy to visit with you to collect some basic information and to learn how we might help you in your relationship with Christ. You can visit with a Connection Team Member after any of our six worship services, Discover Johnson Ferry Class, or by calling the New Member Ministry office for an appointment during the week.
Attend the Discover Johnson Ferry Class
This one time class for adults helps you to know and participate in the purpose and mission of our church. Discover Johnson Ferry Class meets on the second Sunday of each month from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Conference Room on the first floor. Childcare is offered with an advanced reservation.
A new Wednesday evening Discover Johnson Ferry class is offered the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Dogwood Conference Room on the first floor. A snack supper is offered. No childcare available.
Youth and Children have their own Discover Johnson Ferry - Spiritual Growth Classes that have been created especially for their age levels. For these dates and times, please call the Student Ministry Office at 678.784.5355 or the Children's Ministry Office at 770.794.2990. .
Baptism
Questions about baptism? At Johnson Ferry, we follow the New Testament example of baptism by immersion. We recognize that there can be much confusion around this issue and we are happy to discuss it with you. If you are an adult who has already decided to be a candidate for baptism contact the New Member's Office for follow up and scheduling. Children preparing for baptism are invited to attend a quarterly Footsteps presentation designed especially for them.
Baptism Service
Baptism is a special time in the life of Johnson Ferry. It is a symbolic time for new believers to have an opportunity to publicly profess through the act of baptism what has happened to change their life. Upon completion of the Discover JF Class you will be scheduled to participate in one of our many baptism services. Baptism typically occurs during a Sunday morning worship service.
Questions About Baptism?
Please take some time to review the following information about baptism. To sign up for baptism, please visit www.johnsonferry.org/baptism. If you have other questions about baptism please email us at baptism@jfbc.org.
Why Should I Be Baptized?
1. To follow the example set by Christ.
"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan." (Mark 1:9)
2. Because Christ commanded it.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)
3. It demonstrates I am a Believer.
"We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands." (1 John 2:3)
What Is The Meaning Of Baptism?
A. It illustrates Christ's death, burial and resurrection.
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures , that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day.." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
"Having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12)
Why Be Baptized By Immersion?
1. Because Jesus was baptized that way.
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water." (Matthew 3:16a)
"As Jesus was coming up out of the water..." (Mark 1:10)
2. Every Baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
(for example) "Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..." (Act s 8:38-39)
3. The word "baptize" means "to dip or immerse."
4. It best symbolized a burial and resurrection.
"Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Roman s 6:3-4)
Who Should Be Baptized?
Every person who is a follower of Christ should be baptized. Followers realize their sin separates them from God. They conclude that Jesus Christ's death on the cross bridges the gap between them and God. Having decided to trust Christ alone for their salvation, they follow Christ in baptism as a symbol of their faith in Christ.
What About Children?
The New Testament shows no example of baptism when the person did not request it. All instances of baptism follow an individual's decision to trust Christ alone for their salvation (Act s 2:41, 8:12, 10:47-48). At Johnson Ferry we wait until the child is old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them. When a child makes a decision for Christ, we gladly baptize them as a symbol of their faith in Christ. Children's Ministry offers the Footsteps program, a four step partnership between parents and church. Grades 1-5.
What About Infant Baptism?
In the Bible we find parents bringing children to Jesus. He held them and prayed for them and told us to welcome them. But he did not baptize them, and he did not tell anyone to baptize them.
Baptism is a public profession of salvation (as the Bible teaches), and only people who have repented of their sin and trust Christ alone for their salvation should experience baptism.
If you have not experienced adult baptism, even though you have experienced baptism as an infant, the full meaning and significance of baptism has yet to take place in your life. We strongly encourage you to be baptized as an adult believer in Christ.
When Should I Be Baptized?
As soon as you have trusted in Christ for salvation.
"But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." (Acts 8:12)
Should I Be Baptized Immediately After Salvation?
The Bible teaches that baptism should follow your decision to trust in Christ. There is no reason to delay. If you wait until you are "good" enough, you will never feel ready for baptism. Since baptism is not a part of your salvation but a symbol of it, it is okay to wait until the next scheduled baptism.
What Do I Wear?
Dress in clothes you don't mind getting wet! You should wear a dark shirt and shorts. Remember to bring a change of clothes to wear home. There is a changing room available. Please bring a towel. Arrive 30 minutes before the service is scheduled to begin for some last-minute instructions.
How Do I Register?
Register at www.johnsonferry.org/baptism or call Julie in Guest and New Member Care at 770-794-2980. We will contact you with upcoming baptism options.
New Member Recognition
New Member Dinner
You and your immediate family will be invited to a special dinner in the Fellowship Hall to meet our Pastor and his wife. Some of our members and staff serve as table hosts to welcome you and answer any questions you might have.
The Next Step
New Community
Once you have become a member at Johnson Ferry, we want you to begin to feel at home here in a community of Believers.The surest way to begin that process is through active participation in our Sunday morning Bible Study classes. Here you will find caring and supportive friends,opportunities to minister, and in-depth Bible Study experiences. As you make yourself at home at JFBC, God will show you where He wants you to be active in the ministry of this church, His body of Christ.
Servant Opportunities
As you find your home at JFBC, God will show you where He wants you to be active in the ministry of this church, His body of Christ.