A Church Where Peace and Hope Are Found in Christ
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Still Waters Baptist Church is a welcoming local church rooted in Scripture, centered on Christ, and committed to loving our neighbors well.
Our name comes from Psalm 23, where Scripture reminds us that the Lord leads His people beside still waters. For us, this is more than a peaceful image. It is a reminder that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who restores our souls, guides our steps, and gives us hope as we follow Him together.
We believe church should be a place where people are welcomed, families are strengthened, children are loved, and God’s Word is faithfully taught. Whether you are new to church, returning after time away, or looking for a church home, we want Still Waters to be a place where you can belong, grow, and find lasting peace in Christ.
At Still Waters, you will find biblical teaching, genuine community, worship centered on Jesus, and people who are glad you are here.
We would love to welcome you this Sunday.
Meet the pastor
Joel & Lu Anne Tilson
Pastor Joel Tilson and his wife, Lu Anne, have been serving churches together since 1987. Their lives and ministry are centered on a simple desire: to help people know Jesus Christ, grow in their faith, and experience the joy of being part of a genuine community of believers.
Joel serves as the Pastor of Still Waters Baptist Church, while Lu Anne serves alongside him as the Worship Minister. Joel is a graduate of Carson-Newman University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Lu Anne is a graduate of Carson-Newman University.
Still Waters Baptist Church represents their second church plant, giving them a deep appreciation for the faith, prayer, sacrifice, and teamwork required to establish a healthy and thriving church. They believe the church is more than a place we attend—it is a family where people can find hope in Christ, build meaningful relationships, discover their gifts, serve others, and grow together in faith.
Joel and Lu Anne have a passion to see Still Waters Baptist Church thrive as a Christ-centered, Bible-driven church that reaches people with the Gospel and builds a true community of faith. Their prayer is that everyone who walks through the doors will feel welcomed, loved, encouraged, and challenged to take their next step with Jesus.
Outside of ministry, Joel and Lu Anne are grateful parents to three wonderful adult children and their spouses, and they are blessed to be grandparents to four awesome grandchildren.
Their greatest desire is to serve Christ faithfully, love people genuinely, and help build a church where people find peace in Christ, grow in faith, and live with purpose.
Our Beliefs
“Biblical Truth. Authentic Faith. Real Community.”
WHAT WE BELIEVE
1. The Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired, authoritative, and trustworthy Word of God. It is our foundation for faith, truth, and daily living.
2. God
We believe in one true God who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three Persons, yet one God.
3. Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became fully human while remaining fully God. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, rose bodily from the grave, and will return again.
4. Salvation
We believe salvation is a gift of God's grace received through faith in Jesus Christ. We are saved from sin by trusting in Christ—not by our good works—and salvation results in a transformed life.
5. Sin
We believe every person is a sinner by nature and choice and is separated from God apart from His grace. Every person needs forgiveness and reconciliation through Jesus Christ.
6. The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit lives within every believer, giving spiritual life, guidance, conviction, power, and the ability to grow in Christ and serve others.
7. The Church
We believe the church is a family of believers who gather to worship God, grow as disciples, encourage one another, serve others, and share the gospel with their community and the world.
8. Baptism
We believe baptism is an act of obedience that publicly identifies a believer with Jesus Christ—symbolizing His death, burial, and resurrection. We practice baptism by immersion following personal faith in Christ.
9. The Lord's Supper
We believe the Lord's Supper is a meaningful act of remembrance through which believers reflect on Christ's sacrifice and proclaim the gospel until He returns.
10. The Great Commission
We believe every follower of Jesus is called to make disciples, share the gospel, love others, and help people follow Christ.
11. Eternity
We believe Jesus Christ will return, the dead will be raised, and God will bring about the final judgment. Those who belong to Christ will spend eternity with Him, while those who reject Him will experience eternal separation from God.
Our Mission
KNOW CHRIST
Everything begins with Jesus. We want people to know Him personally and experience the forgiveness, hope, and new life found through faith in Christ.
GROW IN CHRIST
Following Jesus is a lifelong journey. Through Scripture, prayer, worship, fellowship, and discipleship, we encourage one another to become more like Christ.
SHARE CHRIST
The Gospel is too good to keep to ourselves. We want to live our faith beyond the walls of the church by loving others, serving our community, and sharing the hope of Jesus wherever God sends us.
Our Vision
Invite. Invest. Impact.
Our vision is to invite people to Jesus, invest in their spiritual growth, and equip them to impact the world with the Gospel.
01 — INVITE
We want to create opportunities for people to encounter Jesus and hear the good news of the Gospel.
02 — INVEST
We want to walk alongside people as they grow in God's Word, deepen their faith, discover their gifts, and become mature followers of Christ.
03 — IMPACT
We want to equip followers of Jesus to live with purpose, serve others, make disciples, and carry the Gospel into their homes, workplaces, community, and world.