Who We Are

The first nail was driven for the original Merit Missionary Baptist church in 1904 by a group of missionary minded believers determined to support a global mission vision.  Over the years the church was called Merit Baptist Church.  Under the leadership of dedicated pastors and families, Merit Baptist has faithfully served this area for over 114 years.

In the summer of 1998, the Church Council helped the pastor to draft a church Purpose Statement and Vision Statement.  Our Purpose statement is a declaration of the general mission of our church and explains why we exist.  It was updated in 2024 as follows:

Mission Statement – Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who are growing in their passion for God and compassion for people.

Vision Statement – Our vision is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who are growing in their passion for God can compassion for people.

Disciples whose worship of God is authentic and is inspired by His great love for us and motivates us to serve Him sacrificially.

Disciples who seek to be filled d and led by the Holy Spirit

Disciples who through learning and being obedient to God's Word as the foundation for which they live their lives realize the presence of Christ with them.

Disciples that meet in community and connect to each other and help others connect to God.

Disciples who build deep relationships within the church and find community and to be so close that they are as family.  A community culture that is preferable for families to raise their children and where their children will find future friends and spouses.

Disciples whose community is a place where the hurting, the depressed, the frustrated, and the confused can find love, acceptance, help, hope, forgiveness, guidance, and encouragement.  

Disciples who are so generous that finances are readily available for any ministry that God would have us do. Whose generosity is so extravagant that when others fall into desperation there is no worry because their church family is ready and willing to take care of them.

Disciples that are so missions minded that they will seek to establish community groups within their homes; that are so missions minded they well seek to facilitate disciple groups in North America and Internationally where people are in desperate need of the gospel.

Disciples who are so rooted in Christ that temperate lives, new disciples, new leaders, and new ministries are the fruit of the depth of their faith, hope and live in Christ.

Our Core Values:

1.  We value relevant Biblical exposition – Sharing Biblical truth is the pattern for equipping and building saints up for personal holiness and to do the work of the ministry.  John 17:17; Acts 2:42-43; Eph 4:11-14; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12.

2.  We value fellowship – Fellowship is one of the strongest ways for people to become assimilated into the church and become united with the mission of the church.  Acts 2:42; 1 Cor 1:9; Phil 1:5; Phil 2:1; Phil 3:10; 1 John 1:3; 1 John 1:7.

3.  We value lay ministry – Lay ministry is the fruit of Eph 4:11-14.  Lay servants are mobilized to accomplish God’s mission of making and building up disciples at all ages.  Matt 9:37-38; Luke 10:2; 1 Thess 3:2; Phile 1:24.

4.  We value praise and worship – Praise and worship is expressing our adoration to God in song, message, tithing and spiritual living.  Praise – Psalm 150; Message – 2 Chron 20:18; Neh 8:6; Neh 9:3 Psalm 29:2; John 4:23; Tithing – Deut 26:10; Rom 12:1-2.

5.  We value excellence – Doing all things as unto Christ results in our giving our best rather than our leftovers.  Col 3:23-24

6.  We value spiritual giftedness – The Holy Spirit gifts us with specific abilities that He empowers us to accomplish along with the general abilities.

7.  We value evangelism – Every believer is charged with making disciples and the beginning of that is conversion.  Therefore, every believer is tasked by God to reach the lost for Christ. – Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8.

8.  We value prayer – Through prayer we boldly go to the throne of grace speaking to our Heavenly Father.  Matt 6:9-13; Phil 4:5-7; 1 Thess 5:17; James 4:2-3.

9.  We value leadership – Leadership is designed to guide and protect the flock of God.  Numbers 27:17; 2 Sam 5:2; Psalm 23; John 21:15-17;

10.We value family affirmation – Family is the basic unit of society and as such we seek to provide an atmosphere that strengthens marriage and families.  We are committed to strong youth and children’s ministries. Gen 2:23-24; Mal 12:16; Matt 5:27-30; Luke 18:15-17