ABOUT US
Welcome to Calvary Baptist Church, a beacon of faith in Branson, Missouri. Established in the 1990s, we are an independent, fundamental Baptist church, committed to the teachings of the King James Bible. For nearly three decades, our church has been a steadfast part of the Branson community. Despite facing a significant decline in membership by the end of 2016, which nearly led to our doors closing, God had a different plan for us.
In early 2017, a new chapter began with Jeffrey Cooper and his wife, Charlotte, stepping in to lead our congregation. Under Pastor Cooper's guidance, Calvary Baptist has experienced a remarkable revival. Today, we stand stronger than ever, growing and making a profound impact in our community.
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Our mission is rooted in the inerrant and infallible Word of God, as we uphold the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as our ultimate authority. We are dedicated to Christ-centered preaching, teaching, and living out our faith in tangible ways. This includes a wide range of religious, educational, and charitable activities, from establishing places of worship and educational facilities to engaging in missionary work both locally and internationally.
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As an autonomous Baptist Church, we answer only to Jesus Christ, our Head. We maintain fellowship with like-minded Baptist churches and organizations, united in our belief in the Scriptures and the fundamental tenets of our faith. Calvary Baptist is more than a church; it is a community united by a shared faith in Jesus Christ, striving to preserve the principles of our faith and make a lasting difference in the lives of those around us​​​​.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the verbally inspired and infallible, authoritative Word of God and that God gave the words of Scripture by inspiration without error in the original autographs (2 Tim. 3:16–17, 2 Peter 1:21). God promises that He will preserve His Word; Jesus said, “My words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). We believe that God has kept that promise by preserving His infallible Word in the traditional Hebrew and Greek manuscripts and that the King James Version is the accurate English translation of the preserved Word of God, and shall be the sole translation used in this church.
THE GODHEAD
We believe that there is one triune God, eternally existent in the persons of Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit; these three are one in essence, but distinct in person and function (Matt. 28:19, 1 John 5:7–8).
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We believe that Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, became for mankind the physical manifestation of the Godhead (John 1:14, 14:9; Col. 1:19). The earthly genealogy of Jesus may be traced through Joseph’s line to Abraham (Matt. 1:1–16) and through Mary’s line to Adam (Luke 3:23–38). We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, and His bodily resurrection.
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We believe in the burial, bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb, and His ascension into Heaven (Mark 16:6, 19; 1 Cor. 15:1–4).
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We affirm that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, the Agent of conviction, regeneration, indwelling, baptism, sanctification, and illumination of all who are born into God’s family through Jesus Christ (John 3:5–6, Eph. 1:13–14). We are opposed to the charismatic movement and its sign manifestations, such as speaking in tongues.
CREATION
We believe that God created the heavens and the earth in six literal days, and that God created all life (Gen. 1). We reject the man–made theory of evolution occurring over millions of years and believe that the earth is approximately 6,000 years old (Gen. 5,11). We believe that God created man in His own image, but man chose to sin. Hence, all persons inherit a depraved nature and are lost sinners in need of salvation (Romans 3:10, 23).
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We believe that God created man and woman in His image and instituted marriage between one who is genetically male and one who is genetically female (Gen. 2:18–24). Marriage is a sacred, exclusive union between a man and woman and serves as a picture of Christ’s relationship with the church (Matt. 19:3–12, Eph. 5:22–33). We believe that God has commanded that sexual activity be exclusively reserved to a man and a woman who are legally married to each other; and that Scripture forbids any form of sexual immorality including adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography (Matt. 5:27–28, 15:18–20; 1 Cor. 6:9–11 & 18, 7:1–5; Heb. 13:4).
SALVATION
We believe that Christ’s blood, shed on Calvary, is the only Atonement for man’s sin (John 14:6, 1 Pet. 1:18–19, 1 John 1:9). We believe that salvation is a free gift of God for “whosoever will”; it is by grace, through faith, plus nothing, and believers are eternally secure (John 10:27–28, Eph. 2:8–10). Salvation is received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work. “Whosoever will” may come to Christ; God does not pre–elect persons to heaven or hell (Rom. 10:13, Rev. 22:17).
THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe that the local church is solely an organized body of "called out", born-again believers who have be Scripturally baptized following a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ. We believe the local church should be autonomous and free of any denominational authority, being governed by the Word of God alone. God has ordained the local church for the perpetuation of His truth and work in the world (1 Tim. 3:15). The two ordinances of the local church are baptism by immersion and a regular observance of the Lord’s Supper by believers (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23–28).
SIN
We believe the Scripture regarding Satan, who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven with a host of angels who followed him (Isa. 14:13–15 ). He introduced sin to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1–13). He continues to turn people from truth and against God (1 Pet. 5:8). Eternal hell was created for Satan, his demons, and people who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation (Matt. 25:41, John 3:16, Rev. 20:15).
THE BELIEVER
We believe that the believer is called to a life of consecration which requires increasing in the knowledge of Christ and growing in grace (John 15:4–5, Col. 1:10, 2 Pet. 3:18).
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We believe that the will of God for all believers is to give evidence of sanctification through being honorable in all relations with others (Rom. 12:1–2, 1 Thes. 4:3, James 1:27).
THE ENDTIMES
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost: those that are saved unto the resurrection of eternal life in heaven, and those that are lost unto the resurrection of eternal damnation in a literal lake of fire (John 5:28–29; 1 Cor. 15:12–20, 35–58; Rev. 20:10, 15).
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We believe in the imminent, pre-Tribulation return of Jesus Christ for all believers (1 Thes. 4:13–17). The Rapture of the saints will be followed by a seven-year Tribulation, after which Christ will return in glory to judge the world and set up His millennial reign on earth (Rev. 20:1–3, 21:1–5).
These Articles of Faith do not exhaust the extent of beliefs or practices of Calvary Baptist. The Bible, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, is the final authority of all that we believe concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind. For the purposes of the church’s doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, the Pastor is ultimately responsible for interpreting the meaning and application of Scripture.