About Us

Claybrook Baptist Church exists to lead all willing followers to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

We are a community of believers that find joy, hope and peace in life now and for eternity by striving to live our lives in a way that pleases God, we Love Him, and we Accept His Grace.  We trust that a meaningful life is available to everyone, regardless of background or whatever experiences are in our past.

Our mission to seek all who need Jesus and together become His fully devoted followers is rooted in Jesus’ two most basic teachings:

The Great Commandment
Love the Lord your God and love others as yourself.  (Matthew 22:37-40)

The Great Commission
Tell others about Jesus and help them along in their spiritual journey.  (Matthew 28:19-20)

We believe God calls all people to respond personally to the truth of His word. We are fellow heirs of the Kingdom not because of our perfect understanding, but because of the perfect life and death of Jesus. We are brothers and sisters in Christ not because we agree on every possible matter, but because we share the same Father in heaven.

We believe there is one God, the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He eternally exists in three co-equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father, out of love for His children, sent His Son Jesus Christ to become a man, live a sinless life, and offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross and rising from the dead. God the Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right.

We believe God created humankind in His image to live in an intimate relationship with Him. However, through sin, our disobedience of God, we are separated from an intimate relationship with Him. This separation from God causes many problems in life and eternal consequences.
 
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, the final authority in our understanding of God and life and our supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We believe Salvation is a free gift of God. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. The death of Christ on the cross is the only sufficient payment for our sins. This salvation is available for any who put their trust in Christ as Savior, and is received through faith and expressed through confession, repentance and baptism. As we confess Christ as our Lord and are buried through baptism into His death, God forgives our sins and raises us to walk a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit and promises that we will live eternally with Him in heaven.

We believe that one day Christ will return, final judgment will occur, the image of God will be completely restored within us and we will be with Christ forever in heaven. Those who reject Him will be eternally separated from Him.

Our vision is to offer many styles of worship at different locations and times that enable more people to worship in a manner that most effectively engages their hearts and minds. Regardless of style, we gather to honor God by celebrating the grace that we’ve received throughout the week and to share encouragement, strength and learning for a lifetime of worship to God.

 

 

REV. DR. DENNIS MARTIN, PASTOR, CLAYBROOK BAPTIST CHURCH, WEEMS, VIRGINIA  

Rev. Dr. Dennis Martin is originally from Henrietta, Missouri where he graduated from Richmond High School and earned a BS in Psychology from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri.   Rev. Dr. Martin then earned a Master of Biblical Studies and Doctor of Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia.

Rev. Martin enjoys playing music, at the age of 8, he began teaching himself guitar by using old Hank Williams, Sr. song books and listening to albums his folks had; including Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves, Carter Family, Willie Nelson and a host of other old time traditional country singers.  He does most of his playing and singing in church, but occasionally enjoys getting together with other musicians for “jam” sessions.  Other hobbies include woodworking and watching sports.

Rev. Martin has participated in several mission trips that included preaching revivals in Wyoming; assisting Detroit area churches with Vacation Bible School; various ministry opportunities in West Virginia and serving as a church consultant in Belarus.  Rev. Dr. Martin has traveled to Israel touring the “Holy Land”, which he says, “was a truly meaningful experience”.  Rev. Dr. Martin has served as pastor to numerous churches in both Missouri and Virginia.

Rev. Dr. Martin’s wife, Susan Martin, is from Springfield, Missouri where she graduated from Glendale High School and earned a BA in History from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. Mrs. Martin earned a Master of Biblical Studies and Doctor of Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia. She and Dennis share an interest in genealogy and strolling through old cemeteries reading the tomb stones that are rich in history.  They have three adult children and six grandchildren.