Covenant Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith is a confessional church. As part of the Presbyterian Church in America (www.pcanet.org), we adhere to a written confession of faith that we believe to be a good and accurate summary of the Bible's teaching: The Westminster Confession of Faith, including the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms. We believe these standards are excellent summaries of the doctrines of the Bible.
We hold to the Solas of the Protestant Reformation:
Sola Scriptura
The Bible is the sole written divine revelation and alone can bind the conscience of believers absolutely (Matt. 4:4; 2 Tim. 3:16).
Sola Fide
Justification is by faith alone. The merit of Christ imputed to us by faith is the sole ground of our acceptance by God, by which our sins are remitted (Rom. 5:1; Gal 2:16).
Solus Christus
Christ is the only mediator through Whose work we are redeemed (John 14:6; John 3:16).
Sola Gratia
Our salvation rests solely on the work of God’s grace for us (Rom. 2:4; Eph. 2:8-10).
Soli Deo Gloria
To God alone belongs the glory (Isa. 42:8; Col. 3:17).
As the minister of Covenant Presbyterian Church, John's passion is exegetical preaching from the Bible. A gifted teacher, he is a pastor with real-world experience and a heart for leading others to the truth of the gospel.
John is a native and lifelong resident of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born and reared in a faithful Christian home and professed a saving faith in Christ alone at a young age. He is 1993 graduate of University of Arkansas, is completing a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, MO, and is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. John is a former real estate executive and spent 19 years in the business world.
John and Sydney have been married for 19 years. They have three children who are actively involved at Covenant Presbyterian Church.