WHO WE ARE

Friendly atmosphere
Conservative Music
Solid Bible Teaching
Active Kids Programs
K3–12 Academy
Authentic Community

FAIRFAX BAPTIST TEMPLE is a warm fellowship of people brought together by a shared desire to worship God and evangelize the world. We’re formal when the occasion requires it, without being stuffy, and we know how to be relaxed and have fun. We’re a place connected to God and to each other.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SERVE YOU AND MEET YOUR SPIRITUAL NEEDS; we also want to encourage you to find a place to serve. There are a multitude of opportunities for people of all ages to get involved here—greeting visitors, ushering, helping with a baptism, caring for a toddler, preparing a meal, counting an offering, arranging flowers, answering the phones, corresponding with missionaries, working with children and teenagers, visiting in the community, mowing the grass and cleaning bathrooms, and any one of dozens of other activities. We hope that as you look at the snapshot information about our church on the following pages you will want to connect with us.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

THE SCRIPTURES

We believe in the verbal complete plenary inspiration of the Scriptures (both the Old and New Testaments) and that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (II Timothy 3:16). We believe that the original manuscripts and autographs were written without error because of the work of the Holy Spirit as He moved each man to record the words of God (II Peter 1:20, 21). We believe that God has supernaturally superintended the preservation of His Word through the years. We use the King James Version of the Bible for all English language preaching and teaching because we believe it to be the best of the English language translations. Services of the Church that are conducted in other than the English language will use a version of the Bible appropriate to that language and that is based on the family of manuscripts used for the English King James Version of the Bible.

GOD

JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ is God (John 10:30; 20:31) and that He is eternal (John 1:1, 2). We believe that when Jesus Christ came to take on the form of man (Philippians 2:6-8) that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22, 23). We believe that He lived a sinless life (II Corinthians 5:21) and that He provided that necessary atonement for our sins vicariously by the “sacrifice of Himself” (Isaiah 53:4-6; Hebrews 9:26; I Corinthians 15:3). And, we believe that after He died and was buried that “He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:4).

LORD’S SECOND COMING—We believe in the imminent, pre-millennial, pre-tribulational, and bodily (Acts 1:11) return of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:42, 44) at which time the church, existing for the first time as the general assembly (Hebrews 12:23), will meet Him in the air (I Thessalonians 4:16-18).

HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God and indwells every believer (I Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9). We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8); that He is active in the new birth (John 3:5, 6); that He testifies of Christ (John 15:26); that He seals the believer unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30); and, that He makes intercession for believers (Romans 8:26).

We believe that it is essential to be filled with the Spirit—or controlled by the Spirit—(Ephesians 5:18) by keeping sin confessed and walking in the light (I John 1:6, 7). We believe that being filled with the Spirit is not the same as speaking in tongues, which is a sign gift that is not still in existence extant for believers today.

We believe that salvation is of the Lord (Philippians 1:6) on the merit of the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24, 26). Salvation is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 6:23) which excludes any possible merit on the basis of works (Ephesians 2:8, 9; II Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5). We believe that the two essential doctrines that must be present in every lost person that wants to be saved are repentance (Acts 2:38) and faith (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9, 10). We also believe that once a person has been saved that there is no chance of his ever going to hell and that he is eternally secure in Christ (John 3:16, 36; I John 5:11-13).

THE CHURCH

ORDINANCES

LORD’S SUPPER—We believe that the Lord’s Supper symbolizes the Lord’s death (I Corinthians 11:26). We believe that the elements used to symbolize His blood and body should be grape juice and crackers or bread.

BAPTISM—We believe that baptism is a symbol of the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:4, 5) and joins the believer to the local church administering the ordinance. We believe that the only Scriptural mode of baptism is by immersion in water by authority of the local church.

How to get to heaven

WE ALL FALL SHORT OF GOD’S STANDARD

“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Our first step towards God comes when we understand and admit that we fall short of His perfect standards. We do things that we know are wrong. The Bible calls this sin. If you believe that you can somehow do enough good deeds to outweigh your bad deeds (an impossibility) or if you’re not troubled by the consequences of your sin, you are not yet ready for God to help you. You must agree with God that you are a sinner.

THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY FOR SIN

“The wages of sin is death . . .”
(Romans 6:23a)

No sin is free, and no sin is cheap. The Bible says that the payment for our sin is death. This is eternal separation from God in a terrible place called hell; a place reserved for all those who willingly reject God.

GOD HAS PAID THE PRICE!

“. . . but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(Romans 6:23b)

God loves you very much. He does not want you to spend eternity in hell. That is why He came to earth as a man called Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect life and died a horrible death in your place. He took on Himself the full punishment for your sin, so that you would never have to pay the price. Instead, you can live forever in Heaven with Him.

TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE AND REPENT OF YOUR SINS

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

“Testifying…repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Jesus Christ rose from the dead to prove that He is the only one able to save you. But knowing that you are a sinner and that God wants to save you is not enough. You must do something about it. You must want to be saved! You must repent and turn from your old life and enter a new life with Jesus at the center—a life that begins when you sincerely and openly ask Him to save you. Accept Christ today!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Thank you for taking the time to think about this simple message. We hope it has challenged you to reconsider your relationship with God. As you turn from your old life to begin living a new life in Christ, a great process of learning and spiritual growth lies ahead. Please let us know if you have started the journey so that we can help you grow in Christ!

Our Mission

EXALT the LORD, EVANGELIZE the LOST, and EDIFY the LEARNER

Loving God. Loving People.

Our STAFF

TODD ABBEY

SENIOR PASTOR

Pastor Todd Abbey felt God’s call to preach at Fairfax Baptist Temple at an early age, graduated from FBTA in 1988, served as pastor at Central Baptist Church for 14 years, and returned to the Fairfax area to pastor FBT in 2016. Pastor Abbey’s desire to see people surrender their lives to Christ, along with his heart for world evangelism and church planting, has taken him throughout the United States and to over 25 foreign countries. It is his passion to serve people, and to help families grow in Christ. He seeks to encourage missionaries and couples through mission trips, conferences and retreats, as well as train young men who are preparing for future ministry. Todd and his wife, Rebecca, enjoy serving in ministry together as a family, along with their sons, Reagan and Carson.

Jay Bradford

ACADEMY ADMINISTRATOR

Jay Bradford is our Minister of Education, serving as our Academy Administrator, and coordinating operations between the academy and the church. He is responsible for teacher recruitment, curriculum, and the day-to-day operations of the school. He and his wife, Jan, have three children. Prior to joining FBT, Jay served as the school administrator for Community Baptist Christian School in South Bend, IN.

Craig Christensen

YOUTH PASTOR

Craig Christensen is the new Youth Pastor at FBT. He has been involved in youth ministry for the last 18 years, preaching the Word of God and partnering with families to see young people changed for the Lord’s glory. He prepared for ministry at Maranatha Baptist University, graduating with a degree in Math and Bible, while also finding time to play intercollegiate football, basketball, and baseball. He and his wife, Jami, have four school-age children, who keep them constantly on the go with school, sports, and outdoor activities. Christ-centered, Bible-based preaching is paramount to Craig’s passion for serving the local church and equipping this generation of believers to live out God’s Word in a world that desperately needs the truth.

CHRIS MARTIN

MINISTER OF MUSIC

Chris Martin is our Minister of Music. He oversees the music program of both the church and academy, actively working with both students and adults to utilize their musical abilities to glorify the Lord. Chris graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a master’s degree in Educational Administration. Since 2003, he has served in church and school ministry as a music teacher, music minister, and school administrator. He and his wife, Joy, enjoy serving the Lord together with their three boys.

TONY HAMILTON

CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR

Tony Hamilton is our Church Administrator, supporting the Pastor with oversight of the daily business and administration of the church. With his experience of 35 years in the U.S. Army, 10 years of teaching in a Christian school, and having served as the Chief of IT Operations for the Army National Guard, he brings a unique blend of skills to assist in the management of our church operations. He graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in Secondary Education, and received a master’s in management from Southern Wesleyan University. He and his family have resided in the Fairfax area since 2011, and Tony joined our staff in the fall of 2023.

DANIEL PROBUS

FACILITIES MANAGER

Daniel Probus serves as the Facilities Manager for FBT and FBTA. He is responsible for the building maintenance, ensuring that our facilities are safe, secure, and operating smoothly. He is also gifted musically, is a member of the Handbell Musicians of America, and directs our handbell choirs and ensembles, with our academy groups placing in the top 3 at the national level each year we have participated. He attended Bob Jones University and Maranatha Baptist University and is one of our own graduates from FBTA. He worked in the food service industry for nearly 24 years as a district or facilities manager before joining our staff in 2023. Daniel and his wife, Amanda, enjoy serving the Lord at FBT, often singing special music with their five children in our services.