Our Pastor

“WE PREACH AND TEACH FROM THE WORD OF GOD…”

Pastor Dan Meadows and his wife Bonnie came to Goshen Baptist Church July 1, 2001. Pastor Dan was ordained in 1982 and received his Master of Divinity from Palmer Theological Seminary in 2009. Bonnie graduated from West Virginia University with a music degree. She has been our choir director since 2009. We are blessed to have them both as part of our church family.

Church Office: 304.291.0711
Pastor’s Home: 304.291.3726
Pastor’s Cell: 304.216.2346
Pastor’s E-mail: meadowssaved@aol.com

OUR BELIEFS

“…believing all scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

At Goshen Baptist Church, you are encouraged to use whatever version of the Bible is most helpful to you in understanding God’s Word. Our pew Bibles are New International Version (NIV) because we believe it is easy to understand, and it is the version Pastor Dan most often uses in his sermons. He also relies on the English Standard Version  (ESV) for sermon preparation, as do some of our Bible study leaders as they prepare their lessons.
Goshen has free wi-fi, so you are welcome to use a Bible app as you study scripture with us. One advantage of these apps is that you can easily use as many translations as you like to help you understand the truths given to us In the Bible. There are several good apps available, as well as several good study Bibles. If you need help choosing one, please contact Pastor Dan, another leader in our church or email us at goshenbaptistchurchwv@gmail.com.

Goshen Baptist Church believes in believer’s Baptism only. We believe that baptism is one of the two ordinances that the Lord had told us to observe, the other ordinance being the Lord’s Supper. We believe that when a person makes a public confession that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, the next step is to be baptized by immersion. Baptism is a symbol that declares that the old man has been buried, and the new man has been raised.   We do not believe that baptism saves anyone, but we do believe that a person should be baptized once they have made Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.

Around 1998 the church built a heated baptistery. There are two dressing rooms that can be used by those desiring to be baptized. You do not have to be a member of Goshen Baptist Church to be baptized in our baptistery. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and desire to be baptized, the pastor will meet with you and discuss the significance of baptism and what baptism does and does not do. Baptism is open to anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

The Lord’s Supper is a sharing, a communion. At the last supper with His disciples, Jesus consecrated bread and wine and shared it with them, explaining that it represented His body and His blood, which were soon to be shed for them. As we observe the Lord’s Supper at Goshen, we practice open communion. This means that not only members of our church, but everyone who is a believer in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, is welcome to join us. To believe in Jesus Christ means to trust Him completely and to depend solely on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for forgiveness and eternal salvation. However, we believe that before taking communion, Christians should examine themselves for any unconfessed sin to make sure we are taking It in a worthy manner (I Corinthians 11:27-31).

The Philippians jailor asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:30-31) We at Goshen Baptist Church believe that salvation can only come through faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that a person must realize that they are a sinner and they need to be saved. They are lost and they need to be found. They are drowning and they need a lifeguard. We are all sinners and we have come short of missing the mark. (Romans 3:23) There is no one that is good enough to save themselves because all of us have sinned. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Once a person realized that they are a sinner and the wages of sin is death, then they need to ask Jesus Christ to come into their heart and forgive them of all their sins. Romans 5:8 says “While we were yet sinners Christ died for our sins.”

Again, we believe that faith in Christ is the only way to be saved “for by grace are you saved through faith, and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

Salvation does not come by being good church members, or by baptism. Salvation only comes by faith in Jesus Christ.

If you have never put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please contact us. We will be glad to show you how you can know your sins are forgiven and to know that you are saved. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 1:9) For who so ever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) If you have never done this, please do so now.

At Goshen Baptist Church, you are encouraged to use whatever version of the Bible is most helpful to you in understanding God’s Word. Our pew Bibles are New International Version (NIV) because we believe it is easy to understand, and it is the version Pastor Dan most often uses in his sermons. He also relies on the English Standard Version  (ESV) for sermon preparation, as do some of our Bible study leaders as they prepare their lessons.
Goshen has free wi-fi, so you are welcome to use a Bible app as you study scripture with us. One advantage of these apps is that you can easily use as many translations as you like to help you understand the truths given to us In the Bible. There are several good apps available, as well as several good study Bibles. If you need help choosing one, please contact Pastor Dan, another leader in our church or email us at goshenbaptistchurchwv@gmail.com.

Goshen Baptist Church believes in believer’s Baptism only. We believe that baptism is one of the two ordinances that the Lord had told us to observe, the other ordinance being the Lord’s Supper. We believe that when a person makes a public confession that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, the next step is to be baptized by immersion. Baptism is a symbol that declares that the old man has been buried, and the new man has been raised.   We do not believe that baptism saves anyone, but we do believe that a person should be baptized once they have made Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.

Around 1998 the church built a heated baptistery. There are two dressing rooms that can be used by those desiring to be baptized. You do not have to be a member of Goshen Baptist Church to be baptized in our baptistery. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and desire to be baptized, the pastor will meet with you and discuss the significance of baptism and what baptism does and does not do. Baptism is open to anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

The Lord’s Supper is a sharing, a communion. At the last supper with His disciples, Jesus consecrated bread and wine and shared it with them, explaining that it represented His body and His blood, which were soon to be shed for them. As we observe the Lord’s Supper at Goshen, we practice open communion. This means that not only members of our church, but everyone who is a believer in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, is welcome to join us. To believe in Jesus Christ means to trust Him completely and to depend solely on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for forgiveness and eternal salvation. However, we believe that before taking communion, Christians should examine themselves for any unconfessed sin to make sure we are taking It in a worthy manner (I Corinthians 11:27-31).

The Philippians jailor asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:30-31) We at Goshen Baptist Church believe that salvation can only come through faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that a person must realize that they are a sinner and they need to be saved. They are lost and they need to be found. They are drowning and they need a lifeguard. We are all sinners and we have come short of missing the mark. (Romans 3:23) There is no one that is good enough to save themselves because all of us have sinned. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Once a person realized that they are a sinner and the wages of sin is death, then they need to ask Jesus Christ to come into their heart and forgive them of all their sins. Romans 5:8 says “While we were yet sinners Christ died for our sins.”

Again, we believe that faith in Christ is the only way to be saved “for by grace are you saved through faith, and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

Salvation does not come by being good church members, or by baptism. Salvation only comes by faith in Jesus Christ.

If you have never put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please contact us. We will be glad to show you how you can know your sins are forgiven and to know that you are saved. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 1:9) For who so ever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) If you have never done this, please do so now.

Associations

WEST VIRGINIA BAPTIST CONVENTION

Goshen Baptist Church is a member of the regional/local Goshen Association, which is a member of the state West Virginia Baptist Convention (WVBC). Goshen Baptist Church regularly meets with the other member churches to work together to provide services and support to fellow churches and their congregations. There are over 20 other Baptist associations throughout West Virginia who work together to provide services and support to their own churches under the WVBC umbrella. By working together for the WVBC the mission of the Convention as stated on their website, “Our mission is to empower local churches to be Christ­honoring communities of faith, and to help them fulfill their mission by enabling them to do together what they cannot do alone,” is fulfilled.

Goshen Baptist Church works closely with the WVBC in many Christian endeavors, including supporting Camp Cowen and Parchment Valley West Virginia Baptist Conference Center “Where Lives are Changed.” Visit the WVBC website for additional information.

Visit the WVBC

Our Church Building

A BEACON OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST

For 180 years, Goshen Baptist Church has stood as a beacon of the love of our Savior Jesus Christ, not because of the physical building and its heritage, but because of the courage, dedication and commitment of those who have worshipped and served within its walls. It has survived because of its faithfulness to the Word of God and its commitment to the great commission: “Go then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” –Matthew 28:19-20 (Good News)

1837

Goshen Baptist Church was organized August 2, 1837, by ten local Baptists and a black slave woman. For the first 10 years, the group met in the Rezon Holland home, now owned by his descendant, Robert West. Leven Howell, a charter member, became the church’s first lay speaker and later an ordained minister.

1847 - 1848

In 1847, Holland donated the land for a church building. The bricks were made in a kiln across the road and wooden beams were hand-hewn and joined together by wooden pegs. The structure was completed and dedicated to the glory of God on June 24, 1848, and has been in continuous use ever since, except for several months after a terrific windstorm blew the roof off in 1945, when the church met once again in the Holland home.

1871

In 1871, Goshen Church became a charter member of Goshen Association and later became affiliated with the West Virginia Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Churches, USA.

1945

In May 31, 1945, a terrible windstorm almost demolished the old church. The entire community came to the aid of the members of Goshen Church, and in August 1946, the church was rededicated and became one of the prominent landmarks in Monongalia County.

1957

In 1957, the church was remodeled, enlarging the sanctuary and adding Sunday School rooms and a basement. Eight years later, new pews and altar furniture were installed.

1972

The sanctuary was again remodeled in 1972, resulting in the three crosses currently seen in the beautiful worship center.

1980 - 1985

From 1980 to 1985, a glass-enclosed entryway, additional Sunday School rooms, a large activities room and a remodeled kitchen were created.

1987

In 1987, Goshen held a day-long sesquicentennial celebration entitled “150 Years of Love.” The pastor at that time, Stacy Groscup, was a member of the National Archery Hall of Fame and gave an archery demonstration. Another well-known member of the church, Marvin Wotring, gave a muzzle loading demonstration with his son, Gene (Marvin was responsible for making the WVU Mountaineer’s rifle for several years and now Gene is carrying on that tradition.) A drama about the history of the church was presented and other activities enjoyed during this milestone celebration.

1994

Another addition to the back of the church was built in 1994, providing a baptistery, changing rooms and a pastor’s office.

2000 - 2005

Between 2000 and 2005, a new sound system, a Grand piano and a new propane furnace were installed. An outdoor pavilion and basketball court were also built, and an early morning service was added.

2008

In October 2008, ground was broken for another major addition: the sanctuary was enlarged, additional Sunday School rooms were added, and a larger activities room was created. The Doris Remley Kitchen was again updated and remodeled. Three new bathrooms, two having showers, were also added at this time, with an elevator installed two years later.

2010 - 2011

The Grace West Neel Library was dedicated on June 27, 2010 in honor of Grace Neel on her 90th birthday. A music library was added in 2011 in memory of Mary Ann Freed. Mary Ann was also a faithful member of Goshen and is the mother of a current and a past pianist.

2012

Our outdoor areas include a pavilion used during the summer and a new playground dedicated on May 19, 2012. We also have updated the back entrance, which has a paved drop-off pad and is adjacent to our back parking lot to accommodate handicapped and older folks who want to attend our services.

2019 -

Goshen continues to grow and change with the times, recently upgrading the electronics system and adding a youth pastor to the staff. One thing that is not slated to change is the church’s mission statement: ”Loving God, loving people and knowing Christ more each day.”