Meeting at:
3308 A Pleasants Road
Powhatan, Va. 23139
(804) 598-0733
Online Giving Options Below
Lord's Day 12/8
10 a.m. Sunday School: Matthew 21
11 a.m. Daniel chapter 12: Promises for the End
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Our Wednesday Bible class is currently on break until mid-January. The proposed class for next term is Systematic Theology By Wayne Grudem.
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Choir practice every Wednesday until Dec. 11 at 6:30 pm.
PCF Annual Christmas Program is Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m. A Great Feast will Follow!
Powhatan Christian Fellowship Live - YouTube
Our pulpit series is currently in the Book of Daniel and our Sunday School classes are doing a verse by verse study of the Gospel of Matthew. Our Wednesday Bible study (7 p.m.) is in a short course on evangelism, taught by Paul Adams.
We have an empty seat for you, so please come join us as we make much of our glorious and gracious God!
We are live streaming our service on Youtube in an effort to serve anyone who is unable to be with us. Go to "Powhatan Christian Fellowship" on Youtube at 11 a.m. for livestream, with this link:
Powhatan Christian Fellowship - YouTube
For online giving, download the Vanco App and search for Powhatan Christian Fellowship or use the link at the bottom of this page.
We are a non-denominational Evangelical Christian Church that formed in 1998. We are committed to joyfully proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and working to point all people to Jesus as their only hope for salvation. We believe that God created all people to glorify Him and live under His Lordship, and we gladly submit to the Word of God as our final and sufficient authority on all things. As Protestant Evangelicals, we are strongly shaped by the Five Solas of the Reformation (Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria) for these "alones" represent what Jesus Christ expects His church to major upon.
For more information on the Five Solas, see: http://www.alliancenet.org/cambridge-declaration
Our style of worship is simple. We desire to sing music that is both beautiful and Christ exalting. Our pulpit ministry is primarily expositional, as we teach through the Bible verse by verse. We strongly believe that the word of God preached, sung, prayed, and shared builds up the faith of God's people. We typically celebrate the Lord's Table on the first Sunday of the month.
Welcome To PCF
When and Where We Meet
Our church property is located at 3308 Pleasants Road, located 400 yards north of Huguenot Trail (Rt. 711). We are 9 miles west of Rt. 288 and Huguenot Trail, convenient to Midlothian and Goochland.
Sunday School begins at 10 a.m. and corporate worship begins at 11 a.m. We also meet for choir and Christian education on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. Small groups are also available. If you have questions about our fellowship, we would be happy to answer your questions.
Missions
Jesus has called all of His people not only to be disciples, but to go and make disciples of the nations. At Powhatan Christian Fellowship, we first seek to know God personally so that we can make Him known. We first make Christ known in our own families as we seek to lead our nuclear family to Christian faith and discipleship. We encourage every family to practice family worship together regularly in the home. Next, we seek to make Christ known in Powhatan and our local community. PCF has an ongoing outreach with Child Evangelism Fellowship as we partner with other churches to bring the Good News Club to Powhatan Elementary School. Globally, it is our joy to be united to many missionary partners. We support missions in multiple countries and we strategically support missions to unreached people groups. We also invest in ministry outreach to internationals in the Richmond Virginia area. Jesus is the Great Shepherd of the Sheep who is faithfully building His church and we count it a joy to share in God's great work of bringing life to the dead, and to setting people free from their sin.
Fellowship
Not only has God reconciled men to Himself through Christ and brought us into His family, God is also working through His body, the church, to bring help to those in need. The church of Jesus Christ, which is also referred to as the body of Christ, is called to care for every member of Christ's church. One way we facilitate this is to offer many opportunities for our church family to gather around food and fellowship, as we get to know one another. We typically have a meal together on the first Sunday of the month, we often gather for prayer and fellowship on the 3rd Sunday evening of the month, and we encourage members to care for one another throughout the week. Our expectation is that each of us will serve and be served so that the needs of the church will be met. The model we follow is Acts 2:42, "They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This is the model that Jesus used to save and build his church. Of course, no church is perfect but it is our desire to fulfill Christ's command to love one another. This is the greatest apologetic Christians have, and we would enjoy having you join us to serve and be served.
J.C. Ryle
“A man who is born again has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. Like his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a special love for those who share his faith in Christ. Like his Lord and Saviour, he loves the worst of sinners and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when he is in their company.”
Meet Our Pastor
We are an elder led, congregational church.
Our pastor, Russell Cress, is a native of Powhatan, graduating from Powhatan High School in 1986. He has degrees from V.C.U. (B.S. 1991) and Liberty Theological Seminary (M.A. 2012). He is a lover of church history, especially from the Reformation era. He has served as a youth minister and is the founding pastor of Powhatan Christian Fellowship. He is married to Alicia, who has come to Virginia by way of the Philippines and Toronto, Canada. Together, Russell and Alicia have two daughters, Emily and Amelia.
Upcoming Events
- Every Sunday at 11 a.m.3308 Pleasants RdEvery Sunday at 11 a.m.3308 Pleasants Rd, 3308 Pleasants Rd, Powhatan, VA 23139, USA
- Sundays at 10:00 a.m.3308 Pleasants RdSundays at 10:00 a.m.3308 Pleasants Rd, 3308 Pleasants Rd, Powhatan, VA 23139, USA
- Every Wednesday at 7 p.m.PowhatanEvery Wednesday at 7 p.m.Powhatan, 3308 Pleasants Rd A, Powhatan, VA 23139, USAEvery Wednesday at 7 p.m.Powhatan, 3308 Pleasants Rd A, Powhatan, VA 23139, USAThe second century was a massively important time for the Christian church as it collded with the Greco Roman world around it. How did the Christians respond to persecution and seek to win a hearing for the gospel? Come and find out.
Our Statement of Faith
From the time of the Apostles to today, Christians have laid out doctrine (beliefs) in brief, definitive statements. As those who know God, we believe it necessary to set forth in a concise fashion the cornerstone truths of our church as guided by Scripture. Our Statement of Faith summarizes essential Christian beliefs, shows unity in Christ, and guards the church from error.
All who join PCF are required to affirm the PCF Statement of Faith. This statement registers our belief in historic Christianity, evangelical Christianity, believer’s baptism, and congregational polity. Once we as members agree to the statement, we are responsible for believing and living in accordance with it.
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
Of The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass, that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
JESUS CHRIST
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. We also believe the Holy Spirit provides spiritual gifts to believers in order to do ministry and be a blessing to the body of Christ.
Of The Fall Of Man
We believe that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Of The Way Of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin. Jesus honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
Of Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. While Justification is by faith alone in Christ alone, those who are justified will bear spiritual fruit that testify to a true work of grace within the believer.
Of The Freeness Of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection leaves him in a state of condemnation.
Of Grace In Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
Of Repentance And Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with sincere contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior.
Of Sanctification
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual application of the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer.
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT
We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellow men; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.
Of The Perseverance Of Saints
We believe that all those genuinely born of God will endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Of A Gospel Church
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Elders or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Of Baptism And The Lord’s Supper
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper to the local church. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of the believer in water into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Of Civil Government
We believe that Civil Government is ordained of God, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the King over all the kings of the earth.
Christians in Death
We believe that when Christians die they pass immediately into the blessed presence of Christ, there to enjoy conscious fellowship with the Savior until the day of the resurrection and glorious transformation of the body. The saved will then forever dwell in blissful fellowship with their great Triune God. We also believe that when unbelievers die they are consigned to hell, there to await the day of judgment when they shall be punished with eternal separation from the presence of God.
THE LAST THINGS
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgement, the eternal joy and happiness of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked.
PCF CHURCH COVENANT
A church’s Statement of Faith presents the doctrinal commitments of a church. A church covenant is different. A church covenant is a statement on how we agree to live as a church. The church covenant is equal parts promise, summary of expectations, ethical statement, and biblical standard. We summarize how we promise to live together in the covenant. It forms the ethics, or the moral principles, of our worldview and holds out a biblical standard by which we live. Our acceptance of this multifaceted document follows the practice of believers throughout the centuries who have pledged to God and one another to live out the gospel in community.
All new members must affirm to live by this covenant. We also reaffirm our commitment to this covenant prior when receiving new members into membership and we reaffirm this covenant prior to all business meetings. By featuring the covenant in our life together, we strive to protect ourselves from individual and corporate sin. Of equal importance, we spur one another on to live in the light of a greater covenant, one initiated by love, sealed by sacrifice, and kept for eternity by our Savior, Jesus Christ.
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Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God[1], to receive Jesus Christ as the Lord, Savior, and, supreme Treasure of our lives[2], and, on the profession of our faith[3], having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit[4], we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.[5]
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We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love[6], to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and peace[7]; to promote its spirituality and fruitfulness[8]; to sustain its worship, ordinances, and discipline[9]; seeking to grow toward biblical unity in the truth[10]; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.[11]
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We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to educate our children in the Christian faith[12]; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances[13]; to walk wisely in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct, to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger[14]; to seek God’s help in abstaining from all substances and practices which bring unwarranted harm to the body or jeopardize our own or another’s faith.[15]
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We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love[16]; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress[17]; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.[18]
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We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, if possible, unite with a likeminded church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant.[19]
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May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.[20]
[1] John 6:44; Matthew 16:17
[2] Matthew 22:37; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9-10
[3] Romans 10:9-10
[4] Matthew 28:19
[5] 1 Samuel 18:3; Malachi 2:14; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 1 John 1:7
[6] 2 John 1:6; Eph. 4:1-3
[7] 2 Peter 1:5-8
[8] Hebrews 10:24-25
[9] Matthew 18:15-17; John 4:22-24; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-20
[10] Eph. 4:13-15
[11] 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Eph. 4:28
[12] Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Ephesians 6:4
[13] Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Tom. 4:16; Hebrews 9:27
[14] Eph. 4:20-5:10
[15] Romans 13:13-14, 14:14-23; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; Eh. 5:18; 1 Cor. 6:10; Pr. 23:21
[16] Galatians 6:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
[17] Colossians 4:2-3, 12; James 5:13-16
[18] Matthew 5:9; 6:14; Eph. 4:30-32;Colossians 3:12-13
[19] Hebrews 10:24-25
[20] 2 Corinthians 13:14
Contact Us:
3308 Pleasants Rd # A, Powhatan, VA 23139, USA
How Do You Know If You Are Saved?
From what are we saved?
We have all heard the term Saved. The question is…what does it mean? First, we must realize Saved implies there is a problem or impending doom lingering on the horizon just as there was in the days of Noah before the flood.
Luke 17:26-27 And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man: people were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, and they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
We know a worldwide flood isn’t coming again so what exactly do we need to be Saved from? The Bible teaches that we need to be Saved from the coming Wrath of God.
Rom 5:9 “…saved from the Wrath of God…”
Col 3:6 “For it is because of these things that the Wrath of God will come upon the Sons of Disobedience”
Rev 14:10-11 “he also will drink of the wine of the Wrath of God which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever…”
https://www.ligonier.org/store/saved-from-what-paperback
Why Do We Need to Be Saved?
The Wrath of God seems like something that is only for really bad people, right? No, the Bible teaches that God’s Wrath is His red hot anger against Sin. And it will be unleashed on all Sinners on the coming Day of Judgment.
Rom 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Heb 9:27 “…it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgement”
Acts 17:31 “because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness”
Eccl 7:20 “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins”
By What Standard Will We Be Judged?
It’s natural to think that God will Judge us on the amount of Good and Bad we do in our life. In other words, if we do enough Good things, hopefully they will outweigh the Bad things, and God will let us to go to Heaven. However, the Bible teaches we have the wrong idea about God because we think He is like us.
Psalm 50:21 ….(God Speaking) you thought I was just like you;…
However, the Bible teaches that God is totally different from us. He is Holy, Morally Perfect, and Separate from all Evil and everything that is affected by Sin. He is so Holy and so Pure He cannot tolerate Sin and utterly Hates it. That’s why the Bible teaches He will one day destroy Sin forever.
Matt 5:48 “Therefore you are to be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”
Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death…”
Rom 10:3 “For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God”
How Can We Escape the Coming Judgement?
The Bible teaches that when Jesus’s Disciples learned about God’s Hatred of Sin and the coming Judgment, they were shocked and wanted to know who could be Saved?
Mark 10:26 “Then who can be saved?”
And Jesus spent His time on Earth teaching that He was the only One who could Save us.
Matt 1:21 “…you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins”
Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved”
2 Cor 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God”
Isaiah 53:5 “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities”
1 Thess 1:10 “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”
Rom 3:24-26 “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
How Do I Become Saved?
The Bible teaches that we must place our Faith in Jesus Christ. This means to Believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and Trust in Him alone to Save Us. That means that we believe that He hung on the Cross as our perfect substitute, bearing our Sin, taking the Punishment of God’s Wrath that we deserve, and Rose from the Dead to prove salvation was accomplished. True Belief is always accompanied by Repentance which is a turning away from our old way of life and a turning to a new way of life that follows Christ.
Mark 1:15 “…repent and believe in the gospel”
Luke 13:3 “…unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”
Acts 16:30-31 “and after he brought them out, he said ‘Sirs, what must I do the be saved?’ They said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household’”
How Can I Be Sure I Am Saved?
We don’t gain our Assurance of Salvation through an Experience but rather through the Word of God.
In fact, God wants all true Believers to be certain of their Salvation.
1 John 5:13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life”
Rom 10:13 “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”
The Holy Spirit comes to live in us as a guarantee when we become Believers. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit gives assurance of our Salvation because He testifies with our spirit that what we believe is true.
Rom 8:16 “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God”
Our lives will look different after we Trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It doesn’t mean we won’t struggle with sin, but rather we will have a change of heart. There is a new hatred of sin and love for God and His Righteousness. The life of a truly born-again Christian is not one of perfection but direction.
I John 2:29 “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him”.
So What If I'm Not Saved?
Perhaps you’ve decided this isn’t for you? Maybe you’re just not ready to Repent and Trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? It’s even possible, you don’t like God’s rules and being told what to do? Someone put it this way, if you don’t like it, then go create your own Universe and make your own rules! If you’re in God’s country and breathing God’s air, you need to accept His Word and understand that He writes the Laws, not you. Today is the day of Salvation, so don’t delay or hesitate. You may never have another chance to settle the destiny of your eternal Soul.
Jn 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on Him”
Phil 2:10-11 “so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”
Rev 21:8 “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”