Jonathan Doss, Pastor

     I was born again around the age of eleven. I was brought up in a home of two born-again parents who always had the family in church whenever the brethren assembled together. They brought up my sisters and me to revere God and His word. One of the most precious memories of my childhood is my mother reading Bible stories to me every night before I went to bed.

     My sisters and I were never allowed to say we hated each other, or anyone else for that matter! The word “stupid” was looked at as almost equivalent to any cuss word.

     I entered the first grade and had a fairly uneventful year, except for a lot of sickness. When I went into the second grade, though, something changed. I found a boldness that I had earlier lacked. I got to hanging around other boys my age and learned to cuss and talk dirty.

     Those few cuss words broke ground, and it got easier. I learned to cuss — and do it with authority. Stealing and lying also worked their way in. After a good while of this, my conscience wouldn’t give me peace, and I remember telling my mother (with a broken heart and many tears) that I had been cussing. She could see my brokenness and readily forgave me. I had such peace. I knew things were right between us, but I didn’t yet realize that I was not right with God.

     A few years went by and, overall, my life was pretty low-key and uneventful. My mouth was cleaner, and I pretty much kept myself out of trouble. But I didn’t know that my heart wasn’ t clean.

     When I was around eleven years old, we had a revival meeting at our church (Bannertown Wesleyan Church) during the summer. During one of the services, as the invitation was given, I remember the realization hit me full force that I needed to be saved. I knew that God was calling me to be saved.

     I knew that I had a choice to make. I remember touching my daddy’s arm (he was standing and praying) to let him know that I needed to get by. As I look back, he must have known that I had business to do with God, for I never got up during church for water or the bathroom. I knew better! Daddy let me get by, and I remember that each step toward the altar got easier and easier.

     I knelt down to pray. Some personal workers were dealing with people, but no one had gotten to me yet---so I went ahead and got born again! In all truthfulness, I believe anyone trying to help me would just have delayed the event. I was primed and ready. For the first time I realized that I was a sinner against God and told God how truly sorry I was for sinning against Him. I remember realizing also for the first time who Jesus Christ really was. Oh, I already knew intellectually, but for the first time I knew in my spirit. I poured out my heart to God and told Him what I believed in my heart. I knew that I was forgiven, and a peace beyond understanding was given me.

     I knew that I was changed and different. I remember sitting in the car on the way home and realizing that if we got in a wreck it was okay, for I would be with Jesus. I discovered a new-found desire for God’s word and spiritual things. I was born again that night---born into the kingdom of God. My journey started that evening. My destination is assured, and my sojourn now consists of filling up the time in between for Jesus. I pray you’d join me on the pilgrimage — and if you already have, please pray for a fellow sojourner!

God bless you,

Brother Jonathan Doss

August 9, 2000

OUR DESIRE AND VISION

     The desire and vision we have for King James Bible Baptist Church is the same today as it was thirteen and a half years ago (February 1988):  To see souls come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ; also to have those redeemed ones love, read, and apply the precious Scriptures. This was our goal starting out and remains our goal today, and by God’s grace and help will remain our goal until we have hopefully run our race and finished our course.