Local pastor enjoys building relationships in Logan
The Baptist church has a membership of more than 43 million worldwide.
Logan is home to the Maranatha Baptist Church and the Independence Grace Baptist Church.
Pastor Don Emerson of the Maranatha Baptist Church said while many Baptist Churches have different names, the core beliefs are the same.
“We believe the same basic principles. The differences have to do with expressing secondary matters, how we worship,” Emerson said. “We have so many people in our fellowship that come from many different backgrounds.”
For example, Emerson – who likes to be called Pastor Don by his congregation – describes Maranatha’s 90-minute worship service as more informal and personal, with contemporary spiritual music played by a “praise band” with drums and guitars, a prayer and a biblical sermon delivered by the pastor. On the other side, some congregations may take a more formal approach singing older and more traditional hymns.
However, regardless of the worship preferences, the main beliefs of all Baptists are the same.
“We’re Biblical Christians who believe in historical truths,” Emerson said. “Our worship is focused on knowing God better.”
The three core beliefs of the Baptist Church are “God is one yet three,” “Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the only way to salvation” and “the Bible is the word of God,” Emerson said. He also said Baptists believe salvation is a gift from God which is just given and not earned and that good works are not essential for salvation but after one accepts Christ, they will want to do good works.
Baptists do not believe in infant baptism but baptism by immersion at the time of personally accepting Christ and feeling ready to become followers of him, he said.
Emerson has been a pastor for 41 years and has been in Logan for the past 16 after moving from Virginia.
“My wife and I really sensed that this is where God wanted us to be,” Emerson said.
Pastors have resumes and go through interviews similar to other paying jobs. The church’s congregation reviews resumes and then extends a call to the pastor of its choice. The pastors are paid by the donations of the congregation.
To become a pastor, a Baptist man must have a strong feeling from God that he should do so. Emerson had this feeling while at college. Although it is not required, after making his decision to become a pastor, he attended Oklahoma Baptist University. He then got his master’s degree in Biblical studies and preaching at the Southwestern Baptist Seminary.
The main responsibilities of a Pastor are to teach and preach, guide the direction of the congregation and most importantly, love people, Emerson said. He, like most pastors, delivers a sermon every Sunday and has appointments with people in the fellowship and others who are not.
“My emphasis is to build relationships with others. My wife and I enjoy being able to share Jesus with people,” Emerson said.
Being in an area where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the predominant religion hasn’t been a problem for Emerson and they have always been treated nicely, he said.
“We do have different beliefs but I think it’s important to build bridges,” Emerson said.
Emerson attended the Logan LDS Institute for five years to learn more about the Latter-day Saint faith and understands its members better.
According to The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, the name “Baptist” was formerly accepted in 1644. However, the first English Baptist church was formed in 1608 by English separatist John Smyth. In 1611, members of Smyth’s congregation moved to London and established a church known as General Baptists.
The Particular Baptists were founded in 1633 by a group of Calvinists, and in 1644 seven Particular Baptist churches came together requiring baptism by immersion. After that, the name “Baptist” was given to all religions who practiced this form of baptism and admittance to the church.