As the new Communications and Content Editor, let me welcome you to the Reformed Baptist Network blog. My name is John Divito, and I was recently brought on to develop online resources so that churches will be equipped for faithful service to Christ’s kingdom.
But this leads me to answer a question that you may be thinking: Why another blog? After all, there are many online resources that already exist to help churches carry out our gospel ministry, and the number continues to grow! We agree, having already benefitted from many of their insights. At the same time, our network was formed with core values that we believe will provide a helpful perspective for our churches and the wider Christian community in obeying our Savior’s Great Commission. These three core values are:
- Our Theological Center—We seek to be robustly confessional, believing that the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith is a faithful summary of the system of doctrine revealed in God’s Word. By being confessional, we want scriptural authority to drive ministry methodology, while centering all of our focus on Christ.
- Our Gracious Manner—We seek to act in a manner of gracious cooperation, committed to Christ-like love, gospel unity, and biblical reconciliation.
- Our Earnest Mission—We recognize an earnest mission to save souls by proclaiming the gospel of Christ to all nations. Our mission is fueled by God’s sincere offer of Christ in the gospel and His common love for all mankind. So, we evangelistically invite all, knowing He will cast out none who come.
Essentially, we are seeking to connect our biblical doctrine to our ministry practice by following our Savior’s humble example. While we do not claim to do this well, since we are sinners saved by grace, these core values summarize how we strive to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
In order to accomplish this on our blog, we will both curate and create valuable and edifying articles for you to read. We will be curating existing content written by Reformed Baptist pastors and others consistent with our confessional convictions since we recognize that we do not have the corner on biblical truth. So we will highlight and commend resources we have found helpful for you to benefit from as well. Additionally, we will be creating new content to include our own distinctive voices on theological issues and practical concerns relevant to our churches and fellow believers around the world.
With this in mind, please pray for us. While we have ambitious plans, we recognize that it is only with the Lord’s blessing that we will be able to serve Christ’s kingdom and carry out His mission. We also hope that you will regularly return to our blog, or even subscribe to receive its updates so that we can together fulfill the Great Commission to the ends of the earth.
John Divito is the Communications and Content Editor for the Reformed Baptist Network. Having pastored for several years, he currently serves as the Director of Administration and Missions at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Indiana.