As Pastor Curt completes 43 years of full-time ministry at IBC and becomes part-time this June, I want to thank God for his ministry and friendship, to me and to countless others. On behalf of the entire IBC Family, “Thank you, Pastor Curt!”
Disciples Are Learners
Every Christian is a disciple, and every disciple is a learner. Jesus told you and me to Go make disciples (not just converts). Every Christian is called to be a disciple and to make disciples. The Greek word for “disciple” is “mathetes” which means “learner”—a learner and follower of Jesus. A recent article in Christianity Today (Jan/Feb, 2026) by Jen Wilkin calls learning “The Great Omission” and laments that with busy schedules, chatty small groups, and personalized quiet times, we’ve neglected the rigor of learning the Bible.
Three Services Ahead!
9:38 Prayer
The Silver Bullet for a Golden Marriage
What if I told you that there is a secret 5-minute practice to knock that 50% chance of getting divorced down to less than 1%? Sound too good to be true? Well, it gets even better. What if I told you this secret not only nearly divorce-proofs your marriage, but can simultaneously increase marital satisfaction and intimacy?
Give Me Jesus: A Christian Response to Political Upheaval
I am Venezuelan by birth, American through naturalization, and a recipient of the covenants of promise because of the blood of Christ. Nicolas Maduro, the illegitimate president of Venezuela, was captured by American troops in the early hours of Saturday, January 3rd 2026. Since then, news and social media has exploded with all kinds of discussions and opinions on what transpired and on what might take place in Venezuela now that Maduro has been removed.
Twelve Daily Christmas Devotionals
Christmas is a time when the glory of the incarnation should ignite joy within our hearts. Unfortunately, as each year passes by, our familiarity with the Christmas story can dull our spiritual senses. For this reason, I believe it’s wise for Christians to make a habit of reading a new Advent devotional each year. While the Christmas decorations, traditions, and music will often be familiar sights and sounds, a new Advent devotional can help bring a fresh yet biblical perspective to help stir our hearts anew.
A Righteous Response to Heartbreaking Evil
My Sabbatical, My New Job, and My Next Missions Trip
Teen Week
On June 9-13 from 7-10 pm, Independent Bible Church will be hosting its annual Teen Week. Monday through Friday will be filled with games, food, worship and time spent learning more about God from His Word. This will not be the first time Teen Week has happened. In fact, this event has been going strong for roughly half a century!
Jesus Still Has the Scars
Seeking to Love All of Jesus, Not Just Part of Him
God's Vision for IBC's Future
As of January 1, 2025, I will retire as IBC’s Pastor-Teacher (a position that I have filled since
January 8, 1988) and Pastor Phillip Macdonald will be our Pastor-Teacher. I will be away January
through June for a Sabbatical and then return as part-time Pastor of Discipleship starting July 1,
2025. Gerri and I have many emotions at this time; but we have God’s peace and are full of gratitude.
Fifty Years to the Glory of God
The Stewardship of Voting
Wise Parenting In This Culture
God blessed our Pure in Heart Conference yesterday with about 200 men, women, and teens in the main sessions. Interweaving fascinating illustrations and his personal life story, Pastor Kell’s message will be a tremendous help and challenge to any believer. Because we as believers died with Christ and have His indwelling Spirit (Romans 6-8), we can say “no” to sin and yield the members of our bodies to glorify God. He also wisely advised parent about having a plan to protect their children.
Pure in Heart
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God, said Jesus in Matthew 5:8. Purity and holiness are the genuine desires of true believers. And this must come from the heart. Two verses earlier, Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Does that describe your heart and mine?
Legacy
Gerri and I just experienced the joy of hosting our eight grandchildren, ages 6 to 17, for six days of “Camp Johnson.” It was a precious time of bonding, fun outings, devotional chapels, yard games, and lots of ice cream and desserts. We had never had all eight with us without their parents; but it was a blessed (though exhausting) privilege.
Berkeley Springs Revival Recalled
IBC is looking forward to Guest Speaker Garrett Kell for our church-wide Pure in Heart Conference on Saturday morning, August 24. Today, Garrett is Lead Pastor at Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria VA and a nationally known author and speaker. Twenty years ago, Garrett was a VA Tech student from Berkeley Springs that God saved out of a sinful lifestyle. He and other newly born-again friends were used by God to bring many others to Christ in their hometown through meetings dubbed “Christ Nights.”
