Next Step

The gospel is "the good news" for you and me! The gospel is the message that God will give us pardon from our sins and eternal life with Him in heaven, if we will turn away from our sins and turn to Him, accepting His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Lord. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). This simple message is for all the world.

The hallmark truths of the gospel message can be summed up in these declarations:

1. We all stand as sinners before a holy God (Romans 5:6–8).
2. There is no way to satisfy the righteous demands of God, so He sent His Son (John 14:6).
3. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the one true way (1 Timothy 2:5).
4. His death, burial and resurrection paid our ransom, and is essential to our salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

In summation, the gospel is the message that we are all separated from God because of our sin. The result of this sin is an emptiness, an ever-present guilt, and a certain fear of death. Yet, because God loved us, in spite of our rebellion, He sent His own Son to die in our place and to bridge the gap between Him and ourselves.

Do You Know Jesus?

If you're not 100% sure you know Him as your Lord and Savior, God has provided a simple way for you to change that. Romans 10:13 tells us that "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved". It's really that simple to accept Jesus' free gift of salvation.

Sin separates us from God.

ADMIT that you are a sinner.
"Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God's glory."  - Romans 3:23

Jesus came to earth to pay the wages of our sin.

He literally died in our place so we could have eternal life. BELIEVE that Jesus died and rose again for your sins. 

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."- Romans 6:23

Accept the gift the Creator has offered you!

CONFESS him as Lord of your life.
"God's grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn't come from anything you do. It is God's gift. It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it."- Ephesians 2:8-9

If you believe all this to be true, then tell Jesus! Talk to Him from your heart.

Baptism is intended only for those who have professed faith in Jesus Christ. We baptize by immersion because it is not only the original significance of the word but also best symbolizes the reality to which baptism points—our death and resurrection in Christ.

If you have not been baptized following salvation, we ask that you take this next step. If you believe that baptism is a next step for you, please let a staff member know during the Sunday morning service or contact the church office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

Anyone who has trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior qualifies for baptism. It is the first step of obedience for a believer, and an opportunity to go public with your faith, identifying yourself as a Christ-follower. If you have any questions about how to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please email us your name and contact information so the pastor may personally contact you.

What Baptism Symbolizes

Baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and what took place in your heart upon salvation...

- Acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
- Sharing in His death and resurrection illustrated by going under the water 
  (dead to our old way of life), then rising again (new life)
- Being symbolically washed clean, our sins forgiven

Is my salvation dependent on being baptized?

Jesus instructed us to be baptized; it is not necessary for salvation, it demonstrates submission to God.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR AT MY BAPTISM?

Wear dark clothes that will not retain much water (jeans are not appropriate), such as long swim trunks, dark shorts, or yoga pants. Dark colored t-shirts are best. Also, make sure to bring a change of clothes, a towel, and a plastic bag for wet clothing. It is best to arrive in the clothing you are going to be baptized in.

Check list:

• Dark shirt
• Short or swimming trunks
• Towel
• Plastic bag
• Change of clothes

Identifying with a local church is an expression of who Christ made us to be. The day we became Christians, we became part of the body of Christ and a member of God's family. When believers are not members of a local church, the body is incomplete, and those believers are like estranged family members.

God designed the church to be a place for believers to find community and encouragement as we serve each other, grow together in Christ, and guide others to faith in Christ. It will be difficult to thrive in our relationships with Christ if we have a casual relationship with His church.

Interested in Joining Shop Springs?

If you think God is leading you to commit to Shop Springs, feel free to let us know in one of the following ways:

1. Tell our pastor that you would like to become a member of Shop Springs (in person, by calling the church office at 615-547-9380, or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
2. Come forward during the response time at the end of the Sunday morning worship service. You are welcome to use this time to express your desire to join Shop Springs’ membership, and the pastor will follow up with you about it during the week.

New Believer?

Are you looking to take those first steps to grow in your faith?  Please contact the church office to learn more about how to begin taking those first steps.  You may contact the church by phone at 615-547-9380 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

God calls us to serve Him by serving one another. We are each uniquely created and shaped by God for that purpose. Part of belonging to a church family is learning to joyfully serve by helping each other grow in faith, supporting each other in our daily lives and meeting each other’s needs, and guiding people to lives of Gospel transformation.

Why Should YOU Serve?

You have been uniquely gifted to serve.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

The laborers are few.

“And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2

The commission is great.

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 16:20