As a man who now attends a Gospel Hall, I am often asked about my journey of faith and how I came to love the fellowship of the Brethren. While I am deeply happy and spiritually nourished in my current assembly, I feel it is important to express my enduring fondness and appreciation for Baptists.
My spiritual journey began in a Baptist church, where I was first introduced to the life-changing message of the Gospel. It was in that environment, under the guidance of faithful Baptist preachers, that I experienced the joy of salvation and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Those early years laid a firm foundation for my walk with Christ, and I am profoundly grateful for that period of spiritual formation.
One person in particular had a significant impact on my life during those formative years: my former pastor, Mr. Larry Quade. As a young new Christian, I benefitted immensely from his godly counsel, teaching, and encouragement. His example of faithfulness, humility, and love for the Lord set a standard that I have carried with me throughout my Christian life. I will always remember and appreciate his influence, which helped shape me into the man I am today.
Although I now attend a Gospel Hall and cherish the fellowship, teaching, and spiritual depth I have found there, my heart still holds a deep affection for the Baptist community. I respect their commitment to preaching the Word of God, their emphasis on personal salvation, and the many faithful servants the Lord has raised up within that tradition. My experience with Baptists was not merely a stepping stone, but a profound gift that has enriched my faith and broadened my understanding of God’s work in the world.
While my spiritual home is now with the Brethren, I will always maintain a deep love and appreciation for Baptists. Their ministry nurtured my early faith, and the lessons I learned from them continue to guide me today. It is a blessing to have known such dedicated servants of Christ, and I rejoice in the ways God has worked through every stage of my journey.
Looking back on my spiritual journey, I feel a deep sense of reflection and even regret regarding some of the paths I took. I began in the Baptist tradition, part of the Bible Baptist Fellowship International, where dispensationalism shaped much of our teaching. While I cherished the community and the clarity of Scripture in that environment, I eventually left, seeking what I thought was a deeper understanding of God’s truth.
In that search, I embraced the Reformed (Calvinist) Baptist tradition, joining churches that taught Reformed theology and Calvinist doctrine. At the time, I believed this was a step toward greater theological precision and spiritual depth. I earnestly studied the doctrines of predestination, election, and God’s sovereignty, thinking they would strengthen my faith.
However, over time, I came to see the destructive effects this path had on my spiritual and personal life. Embracing Calvinism not only eroded my faith but also exposed me to teaching that I now recognize as spiritually harmful. It reshaped my personality in ways I regret, fostering a rigid, critical outlook and sowing seeds of doubt and despair where there should have been joy and confidence in God’s love.
Today, I look back with a mixture of sorrow and clarity. I grieve the years spent under teaching that led me astray, but I also value the lessons learned from that experience. My journey has been a reminder that doctrine is not merely academic, it shapes our hearts, our faith, and our relationships.
In sharing this reflection, I hope others might exercise discernment in their theological pursuits. Faith is precious, and the communities and doctrines we embrace can either nurture it or wound it. I am grateful to have reached a place of clarity, and I move forward with humility, wisdom, and a renewed commitment to a faith that uplifts rather than diminishes the soul.
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