Jerrold J. Reams

Name: Jerrold Reams

Home Church: Cornerstone E.P.C., Brighton, MI  (Senior Pastor: Dr. Richard Alberta)

Ordination: National Association of Christian Ministers (2014)

Statement of Faith/Theology: I believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father but by Him. A person receives the free gift of salvation by believing/trusting fully in the finished work of Jesus plus nothing else. Once someone has truly put their trust in Jesus they are saved. That means that they have eternal life. If it can be lost, then it is not eternal, which would make God a liar. If God is a liar, then we all may as well just eat drink and be merry, and forget this business of Christianity. Salvation is a gift that must simply be accepted, and it can in no way, shape or form be earned by us and our righteousness. Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isiah 64:6).

Obedience and service (works) are an extremely important part of the the Christian life (discipleship), but they are only meaningful to a saved person. Scripture clearly states that we are not saved by our works. We are not to put some kind of supplementary trust in our doing enough works of the law in addition to the finished work of Jesus. It seems that there are currently many renown preachers asserting such an idea. They insist that one must turn from all sin before they can receive Grace. This heretical 2 part step is in stark contrast to the 1 step approach asserted by Jesus and Paul. If one accepts such an idea, they undermine Jesus’ ability to save, thus taking the focus off of the cross and put it on the individual. I believe that a person with this kind of duality/confusion about the Gospel is in great danger, such as is described in Matthew 7:22 and 23. This is unless, of course, they have fully put their trust in Jesus at an earlier time.

I affirm what is found in the Apostles Creed.

Education: Bachelors of Science/Secondary Education Certificate, Eastern Michigan University

Master of Arts in Teaching: Grand Canyon University

Other assorted graduate level coursework in counseling and theological topics

Experience: 29 years of full time classroom teaching experience (primarily secondary science), Steven Ministry, wedding officiating, teaching Bible classes/preaching in county jail, support group facilitating, one on one counseling, church music ministry/worship leading, prison ministry

Preaching Topics: If it’s in the Bible, I’ll preach on it. Everything I preach on, however will be viewed through the lens of the Gospel of Grace, which is the ultimate theme of our Bible.

I will also note that I fairly well versed in, and very much enjoy speaking on Creation Science. However the ultimate focus of messages addressing this topic category will be on and/or come back the Gospel of grace. It is pointless to discuss creation science without the Gospel emphasis. Muslims, followers of the Watch Tower Society, as well as many other followers of false religions also believe in Special Creation.

A Brief Biography:

I am a life long resident of South Eastern Michigan, raised by 2 godly parents, who are still around and whom I am still close to. I am a family man, blessed by God with a wife and 2 sons.

I have been saved by the finished work of Jesus since I was a child, however I played the proverbial “games” with God from my late teens, through much of my early adulthood. He has a way of making His own (His sealed children) miserable when they are not walking with Him. I know this from experience. 🙂 As well as being a great King, He’s a great and loving dad.

I have been a high school science teacher since my mid twenties. God has provided me many ministry opportunities to witness and minister in the public school setting. Some of these opportunities I have successfully seized, by the grace of God. Others, however, by my own finite wisdom, I have been less than successful at.

I regularly teach Bible classes at the county jail. It’s a dark place where the light will shine brightly, when people answer God’s call and bring that light in.

I also officiate weddings from time to time. This can provide a great opportunity to present the Gospel. (Please see my website.)

I am active in my local church, regularly participating in the music program as a worship leader, vocal soloist and instrumentalist.

I am a hobbyist/semiprofessional musician.

I have always had a love for the Word and Gospel, but as of recent years, I have a much more driving passion for understanding the Word and for preaching the Gospel. I want to spend the rest of my days acting upon this passion.

Please visit my website at aslong.org, especially if you are looking for a Christian wedding officiant.

You can contact me at (810) 333-6189 or livewire64@gmail.com

Thanks for reading and God bless.