Neil & Anne Knotts

We both grew up in the community of Colfax, WV. We began dating during the summer of 1956. Neil had graduated from high school and Anne just finished her junior year. We were both members of Colfax Methodist Church.

During the summer of 1956 our church held evangelistic services. One night we were both came under conviction, went forward, and trusted Christ.  Unfortunately for several years we experienced little teaching and little growth in spiritual things. Despite this, we can see now how God was working in our lives, putting us into situations where we were drawn into His life and His truth.

A job transfer in 1966 to a Midwestern city brought about a series of circumstances that led us into an Independent, fundamental church. There we were taught and encouraged with Biblical truth. We had joy and excitement that we had never before experienced. 

When my company relocated us to Fairmont in 1977, our first concern was finding the right church. One that was suggested by our pastor was Galilean. We visited and have been here ever since. We have become acquainted with the GARBC, we have learned about and have been involved in various aspects of church organization and function. Over the years, Galilean has consistently upheld and practiced biblical truth. There have been bumps in the road from time to time but God has been faithful through it all.

During our time at Galilean, we have had 5 pastors and have loved all of them. In their own way, each has taught us much and has helped us to grow and to serve. We have come to know and to love dozens, if not hundreds, of people through our association with Galilean. These are members, teachers, missionaries, fellowshipping churches, guest speakers, and visitors.

We are deeply thankful and blessed to be members here. Our walk with Christ has been made richer and fuller. Many members of our immediate as well as our extended family have likewise been blessed.

Should the Lord tarry and give us more years, we look forward to Galilean’s continued growth and influence in our community.

Helen Gregor

I was brought up in a Christian home, had went to a Methodist Church and I thought that I was a Christian.  I viewed myself as being “good” and “moral” and I thought that God would most certainly welcome me into heaven.

In high school, I attended a different church that taught that you can lose your salvation every time you sinned.  I had learned that sin was anything that I said, did or thought about that displeased God. I sinned every day, so I kept going up to the alter, over and over again, asking God for forgiveness.  I became so frustrated that I stopped going to church altogether.

While attending college, I started really searching for the meaning of life.  Do we just grow up, get jobs, make money, marry, have children, grow old and then die?  Why? 

I started really watching people around me.  One couple I knew had an enormous amount of money, and yet, they were so unhappy.  They never smiled, never laughed, and they didn’t even seem to communicate with each other.  They had everything that money could buy, and yet, their lives were like robots. 

In an Medical Ethics class, I had to write a report on euthanasia.  Another one my classmates wrote on abortion.  While listening to their report and the discussion that followed, I started feeling very defensive inside.  I wasn’t usually so brave at debating, but that day, I had to stand up and tell my story.

Years ago, my mother had contracted a very serious case of poison ivy.  The doctor gave her a series of shots, not knowing at the time that she was pregnant for me.  No one knew.  After becoming aware of the pregnancy, the doctor gave my parents little hope of my safe arrival.  He said I would either die in the womb, or be born with serious defects.  They spent much time prayer, and shed many tears, but my parents choose to trust God and wait.  He had created me and they knew that He would sustain them, no matter what the outcome.  Months later, on a very cold day in March, I was born, and I was just fine.

After telling my story in class that day, I sat down, and no one spoke.  The teacher quietly dismissed us.  I went home, pondering my birth, my life and what my parents must have gone through. 

A few months before that day in class, I had started attending Galilean Baptist Church.  On an early morning in January of 1985, it hit me.  God, through the help of His Holy Spirit, helped me to finally realize the meaning of my life.  God had created me… and wanted me… and loved me.. and sent His son to die … for ME…a terrible wretched, sinner!  And if I believed that His Son died for me, and confessed I was a sinner, I would be saved… forever!  And that was why I was here!  For the first time, I could understand God’s Word as I read it.  It wasn’t just “stories” anymore.  It was personal, and I couldn’t get enough of hearing what the truths of the Bible had for me.  I finally had a peace, a peace that I had never experienced before!

I would love to say that my life has been one blessing after another since then, but the truth is, there have been many heartaches, various trials, and great disappointments in my life.  But I can say, without a doubt, that God has always been with me, sustaining me through each and every one of them, and He has never left me or forsaken me!

Until the last breath I take, my desire is to share the real meaning of life… that whoever confesses that they are a wretched sinner, and believes that God sent His One and Only Son to die on the cross for their sins… then and only then, can they have a peace that only God can give, and are guaranteed a home in heaven someday!  Read Colossians 2:13-15.

Growing in God’s Grace, Helen Gregor <><

Steve Gregor

As a teenager, I found myself wondering what most, if not all people wonder about from time to time:  our origin.  Coming from ape’s?  We tend to laugh about it, but the school system teaches this stuff.  If this teaching were true, we have nothing to hope for.  There is no hope in evolution.

At that time in my life, my first real and honest prayer went like this:  “God, if you’re real, help me and show me who You are.”  There was no bolt of lighting or earthquakes, but the Scriptures started making sense, and I realized that Christ is our only way to God.  For a book to be written over 1500 years by different authors who lived, in some cases, 100’s of years apart, and then come together as if there was only one author, this is amazing.  That one Author is God, our Creator, Savior, Father and Friend.

Life can be difficult, but the answers are in His book.  Any doubts, be honest with Him and say “show my who You are.”  Read James 4:8 

- Steve Gregor

Melissa Knotts

God used several things in my life to gently lead me to Himself but before I was saved I thought He wasn’t ‘mean’ enough to send anyone to Hell.  As a result of the ministry of the Bible believing church our family began attending, I recognized my need and put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ at the age of fifteen.   My Christian life has been one of steady growth and understanding of the Word of God, with a few bumps along the way.

    The believers at Galilean Baptist Church have shown me love and encouragement since I became a member at the age of seventeen.  This was especially evident when I was diagnosed and treated with Hodgkins Lymphoma in my mid-20’s and the subsequent health problems I have experienced since then.

    Early in my life, I dreamed of a husband and family just as most women do but God had other plans for my life.  Through His plan He’s allowed me to serve Him as a single woman.  As I have grown older, I’ve come to realize that happiness and contentment come from serving God and others.  Although I have struggled with this area of my life, God has always made me aware of His love for me and has always met my needs.  I trust Him to continue to do so.

         

                  Galilean Baptist Church

                                                            Fairmont, WV

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