My wife and I were honored to be called to First Baptist Church of Chittenango in August of 2000. About ten years prior to our calling, Sue had a vision that we would

Pastor Daniel D. Maxfield, Jr., with wife Sue

become a ministry team. Following that time, we prayerfully considered where God would lead us. The past several years have been ones of spiritual peaks and valleys, years that have honed and refined us, and prepared us for ministry. Our calling to this church is confirmed over and over again, as we see God encouraging us through the spiritual, physical, and financial gains that our congregation has made over the last three years.

It is my prayer that the flock at First Baptist, and that the greater Chittenango community, would see Jesus Christ as head of this ministry, and I the one who ministers in Christ's name. My duty as pastor is to fulfill the biblical requirements of an overseer. Sue's role is in music ministry and teaching Sunday school. Although I understand that a pastor's role is very important, I consider the role of each church member as uniquely important, too. Each talent, great or small, can be used by God to further his kingdom. I seek to know how to identify and enhance the gifts of the church family in order that we may collectively reach the lost and disciple the saved.

The greatest thing I have learned through years of spiritual mentoring and preparation, is that complete surrender to the Holy Spirit and obedience to the living inspired Word of God must be my deepest hunger. I desire to hold fast to Jesus' teachings in such a way as not to be a hearer of the Word only, but a doer as well. I believe that faith proves itself through action. Following this introduction is my personal statement of faith. It is my prayer that you will focus on the Father of our faith, and that God, not I, would be the One you are drawn to.

My Personal Statement of Faith

I believe in the Divine inspiration and trustworthiness of the Holy Scriptures as the Living Word of God, and their final authority over faith, obedience, and life.

I believe in the personality, perfection, and holiness of the triune God; God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. I also believe that God is the only Almighty living One Who has unlimited authority, power, and influence; Who is present in all places at all times, and Who has infinite awareness, understanding, and insight. I believe God is the ultimate creator of all things, and possesses complete knowledge of all things. I believe that God is the true compassionate One, the author of grace, and mercy.

I believe He is slow to anger, and abounds in love and faithfulness. I believe He maintains His love for all that call on His name in faith, by forgiving confessed wickedness, rebellion and sin. I also believe in God's sovereignty; that He allows all things to work for the good of His glory to those that love and obey Him. I believe He has the ultimate authority to discipline, punish, and destroy the wicked. I believe God is holy, righteous, and just.

I believe in the Deity of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who is God and was with God in the beginning. I believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, and atoning death on the cross for my sins. I believe in His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven, and His personal future return to the earth.

I believe in the sinfulness and lost estate of mankind, in salvation through personal faith in Jesus Christ, and the regenerative and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.

I believe in the resurrection of the dead, the eternal state of joy in the presence of our Lord for the righteous saved by grace, and eternal misery and damnation for His enemies who are wicked.

I believe that the visible church is the body of Christ. I believe the visible church consists of a company of believers who are baptized by the Holy Spirit, immersed in the presence of God upon confession of their faith, and organized by New Testament principles of Christian worship and fellowship. I believe the divine purpose of the visible church is to spread the Gospel into all the world. I believe in the observance of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper. I also believe that the visible church must strive together to encourage unity by establishing an atmosphere of the presence of God by destroying the deeds of the flesh and submitting to the works of the Holy Spirit. I believe that the period of the visible church is the last chapter of time as we know it before the return of our Lord.

I believe in the mystery of the Deity of the Holy Spirit. I believe in His power, and that all His talents and gifts as outlined in the New Testament are available at His discretion for the building up of the body of Christ, the visible church.