Following you will find the profile that I sent out to many of our friends and loved ones about the church we are starting in Miamisburg. I would love to hear what you think. We are asking that you join us in prayer as we seek God's direction and provision.
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I would like to introduce myself: My name is Bradley Herbst. I am married to my best friend, Jessica. We have been married for 14 years and have 4 children together: Julie 13, Ruthie 11, Elijah 8, and Ellie 5. God has placed it on our hearts to begin a new work in Miamisburg, Ohio called Life Point Community Church.
The vision to plant a church was placed on my heart 12 years ago when God first called me to ministry. Over the last 12 years, God has shaped and directed this vision as well as developed in us the skills necessary for the task. Depending upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit we have had the opportunities to be shaped and mentored by various godly men and women as God prepared us for such a time as this.
The Journey to Today:
My journey with God began as a young child. I grew up in a broken home and though my parents both loved me in their own way, I never felt love or acceptance. At an early age I was introduced and engulfed into the world of drugs, alcohol, pornography and sex.
When I was 17 my sister invited me to go to a small, country church with her. Spiritual things fascinated me, though I didn’t believe there was a god or gods of any kind, so I agreed to go.
In this church the pastor began to talk about the sin that was oppressing the area. He spoke in detail about a party that I had attended on Friday night. While he spoke something happened. Tears began to run down my face as I was confronted with the darkness that was my life. I accepted Jesus as my savior that day and followed the Lord in baptism by immersion.
I was very hungry to learn more about God and Jesus but something was wrong. I had many conversations about what I should dress like, how I needed to shave and cut my hair, and about all the things I needed to stop or start doing. A few months later I left the church.
I tried to lose myself in the pleasures of the flesh more than ever before. I hurt more and felt more shame then I could ever remember. I hated myself for being weak. I became bitter and violent.
Over the next few years my life began to change. It was during this period that Jesus pursued me to bring about His will in my life. A new church started in Clayton, Ohio called Northern Hills Christian Church. This is where God first began to really teach me His word. He sent Jessica into my world to save my life. He gave us our first child, Julie, to teach me about a Father’s love. Life became bearable, and even though I still got drunk or high from time to time, I had goals and plans and people who loved me. And even more, I had people that I loved more than myself.
While attending Northern Hills Christian Church I began to see the beauty of Christian love and fellowship. Jessica and I wanted to raise our children to have these moral values taught in the church. God began to deal with me about some of the sin issues in my life. At the same time a guy I worked with started talking to me about Jesus.
During our discussions I had shared with him the story of my salvation, more in hope that he would leave me alone then anything else. After listening, he asked me a question that changed my life: “What about your relationship with Jesus, what does that look like?”
Over the next few weeks we discussed in depth what it means to live in relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I started reading my Bible, and more importantly, I began to understand it. God began to radically change me. He removed addictions and forgiveness issues from my life. He started a mighty work of sanctification in me. It was these changes that brought my wife to Christ.
Soon after, I was at work when I felt God call to me. When I answered, He told me to prepare because I was going to preach and gave me the desire to start a new church. I went to my pastor and asked what I was to do and he began training me as a pastor. Though it hasn’t always been easy I have never turned from that calling.
For twelve years God has moved us through seasons of our life, leading us to different places to teach us the things we needed to know for ministry. God surrounded us with godly men and women to help develop and grow us. At each point in our walk God has continued shape that vision for planting a new church.
While at Northern Hills, God taught us the value of love and acceptance. He also allowed us to see the pain of a pastor falling into public sin. God showed us how priceless a great support and accountability network is. While here I trained for 2 years under a godly eldership and was ordained as a pastor.
From Northern Hills God lead us to First Christian Church in Cookeville, TN where we got to see the importance of a solid foundation in the scripture. We also got to see the danger of church focused ministry (keeping the church in its four walls.) While here I worked with the Pastor of Education to develop and teach a bible survey class that taught Genesis to Revelation in 12 weeks.
From there God lead us to the River Community Church in Cookeville, Tennessee. This church has a heart and passion for church planting, missions, and community outreach. God used the River as a catalyst to teach us the power of true faith and the benefit of a debt free church. While here God allowed us to help with some of the groundwork on a new church plant, as well as help out in their children’s church. It is also at the River that we first became associated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
From the River Community Church God called us to serve as an associate pastor at Venango Woods Church, a SBC church in Northwest Pennsylvania where we have been for nearly 4 years. We moved to Pennsylvania with no income, to a church that couldn’t pay us, and God displayed His faithfulness for all to see by providing all of our needs. After being at Venango Woods for one year, the Sr. Pastor left to plant a church in Florida. After much prayer I agreed to be Interim Pastor. It was during this time that God made it clear that I was not to apply for the Senior Pastor position of this church.
During my time as Interim Pastor God did many things to move the church into a healthier condition. Through the study of scripture, the church structure and by-laws were changed from a pastor led body (where the Sr. Pastor was like a CEO of a corporation) to an eldership led body (where the pastor and elders of the church serve united to lead the church.) God has also used us to deal with some sin issues within the leadership that were causing strife and division in the body. While here God allowed us to establish a children’s worship service and a mid-week prayer and study service. We have seen addictions broken, shattered lives restored, and lives changed through the message of Jesus Christ. While here God taught us to endure, to stand firm and not be shaken. We have learned to communicate vision and direction to help others move into a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ. God has taught us to love even when we are ready to quit.
Now He is calling us to step out once more, trusting in His promises, to start a new work in Miamisburg, Ohio called LifePoint Community Church.
The Vision For LifePoint Community Church:
LifePoint is a progressive church in a rapidly changing culture. We are determined to remain real and relevant without compromising the truth of God’s word. LifePoint will
be a multi-staffed, contemporary church geared toward those who don’t feel comfortable
in most churches. LifePoint will be service driven, creating on ramps of service to draw people into a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. LifePoint will focus on kingdom growth and will be committed to Church Planting.
Purpose: LifePoint exists to Engage people with the truth of Jesus Christ, Embracing them as part of God’s family, Encouraging them to grow deeper in their faith, Equipping them for service, while Exalting God in a way that is real and relevant.
Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 12:28-31; John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Mission:
To impact the world with the life-changing truth of Jesus Christ.
Values: P.U.L.S.E.
People Matter – Because people matter to God, they matter to us. Jesus came into a world full of darkness, pain and sin to reconcile people to God. He then sent us out as His ambassadors with the mission and purpose of reconciliation.
Luke 4:18-21; John 1:1-14, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Unity of Believers – As a new creation through Christ Jesus we are called to demonstrate our love for one another in a spirit of unity. Jesus entered the world to breakdown the walls of division in our lives and teach us how to love others with an active love.
John 13:34-35; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; 2 Corinthians 5:17;
1 John 4:7-12
Living in Community – The world is full of people making their way through this life alone but God said it is not good for man to be alone. Jesus came to bring us into God’s family. As God’s children we are to live in relationship with God and our fellow man. We are a community of believers living together to encourage and strengthen each other in this life.
Genesis 2:18; Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35
Service Driven – Jesus did not come into the world to be served but to serve others. He set an example for us to follow. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and ultimately laid His life down for others. He taught that the greatest in the kingdom of God would be the servant of all.
Matthew 20:25-28; John 13:1-16; Philippians 2:1-11
Engaging The Culture – Jesus constantly took the everyday things of life and used them to teach the deep truths of God and His kingdom. He met people where they where not expecting them to become something else to meet with Him.
Matthew 4:18-19; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; see the parables of Jesus
Our Beliefs:
About God:
He is God and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. These three are equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-5; 2 Corinthians 13:14;
1 Peter 1:2
About Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dieing on the cross. He rose from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4;
1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15
About the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift or gifts when they are saved. As Christians we must seek to live under His control daily.
John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17;
Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18
About the Bible:
The Bible is a love letter from God to man. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian belief and living. God inspired it; therefore it is truth without any mixture of error from Genesis to Revelation.
Psalm 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
About Human Beings:
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates us from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23
About Salvation:
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ can anyone be saved from the penalty of sin. The penalty of sin is death, which is eternal separation from God. Eternal life begins the moment that one receives Jesus Christ into their life through faith.
John 1:12, 14:6; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
About Eternity:
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with God is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18
Our Goals:
LifePoint will seek areas of need in Miamisburg and the greater Dayton area with a seriousness to meet these needs and bring people the hope that can be found through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:10-11; Acts 20:35; Galatians 5:13-14; Mark 9:35
LifePoint will develop community by multiplying LifeGroups throughout the community. These LifeGroups shall meet in people’s homes and in places of business to foster relationships that lead to service in the lives of one another.
Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:3-13; Hebrews 10:24-25
LifePoint will remain mission focused in all we do. At LifePoint every member is a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. LifePoint will continually focus on discipleship and leadership development to equip people for the service God has called them into.
Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:7; 2 Timothy 1:6-8; Romans 10:14; 1 Peter 2:9; James 5:16
LifePoint will be a launch point for new ministries: locally, nationally and throughout the world. LifePoint will multiply by starting other churches. LifePoint will seek to help launch a new church within the first 3 years followed by a new church every other year for the next 10 years. After that LifePoint shall seek to help start a new work once a year.
2 Corinthians 9:6; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 13:2
LifePoint will engage in ministry along side other bodies of believers desiring to make a greater impact for the kingdom of God. LifePoint will not allow denominational difference to hinder the forceful advancement of God’s kingdom.
John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:20; Hebrews 10:24
LifePoint will constantly seek new and fresh ways to deliver the timeless truths of God’s word without compromising the integrity of that word.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 2 Timothy 2:15; Matthew 9:11-13
LifePoint will continue to grow as we daily take the hope of Jesus to a lost and dieing world.
Acts 2:47; 1 Peter 1:13-19; Ephesians 4:11-12; Matthew 16:18
LifePoint will be 100% debt free. LifePoint will be financially responsible not living beyond it’s means.
Romans 13:8; Proverbs 22:7; Luke 14:28; Luke 16:11
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