Who are we?

As the Masterson Station area has grown, Kentucky Baptists have seen the need for a church to minister to the large number of residents. The Elkhorn Baptist Association, the Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC), as well as concerned individual Southern Baptists prayed over this need and made plans to see it met. One of these individuals, Rev. Jim McGee, was used instrumentally in the process.

Rev. McGee, formerly a ministerial staff member at Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, worked with the Missions Department of the KBC, which had developed a “High Impact” church strategy. The “High Impact” model allows new Kentucky church plants to fulfill the New Testament model of ministry with a focus on biblical teaching as well as further church planting.

While initial planning began in October, 2003, on November 14, 2003, Jim McGee, Dr. Scott Wilkins, Mark Day, and Alan Newman met to discuss the possibility of planting a High Impact church in the Masterson Station area. Mark and Dr. Wilkins were serving together at Fall Creek Baptist in Indianapolis, Indiana—Scott as Pastor, Mark as Youth Pastor. The men were encouraged through prayer and discussion that a strong potential existed for a church to not only begin but thrive in Northwest Lexington. The men were further encouraged when Dr. Bill Mackey, Executive Director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, met with them on December 9, 2003. Following that meeting, Dr. Mackey recommended that the group pursue their interest in a new church plant with the cooperation of the KBC.

Following months of phone conferences and much prayer, an introductory meeting was scheduled for January 15, 2004, to give information and gauge interest in the project. The meeting went well and attendees began to pray intensely that God would grant the opportunity to begin the new work. The Lord answered their prayers as by April 2004, the group was meeting in the Masterson Station Clubhouse and were conducting outreach events by the summer of that year.

A building was secured less than 1.5 miles from Masterson Station, just off Leestown Road @ 133 Trade Street in the Leestown Road Industrial Park. The launch Sunday was set for October 3, 2004. Services went extremely well and it seemed that God was continuing to answer the prayers of the core group who had been meeting since the Spring.

Shortly after the church “officially” began, Dr. Wilkins was called by God to serve a church back in Indiana. The Lord had used Scott in a mighty way to begin the work at Master’s Church yet He had other work for him to do in the Marion, Indiana area. The church family was certainly shocked by the news as they had developed a love for Scott, his family, and his ministry. Yet they also understood that Scott needed to heed the call he had been given and the church encouraged him to do so. Dr. Wilkins’ pastoral ministry at Master’s Church concluded December 26, 2004.

Before Scott followed God’s call to Indiana, the Lord led Alex Kinchen and his family to join Master’s Church. Alex had pastored in North Carolina before moving to the Lexington area for his wife, Gretchen, to attend ’s dental school. The church prayed and called Alex to be the interim pastor, beginning January 2, 2005. A pastor search team was selected and prayed intensely as to what course of action they should pursuer in recommending the next pastor of Master’s Church. After several weeks of prayer and discussion, the team met with, and recommended, Alex to be considered for the position. On Wednesday, February 16, 2005, the church agreed with the search team’s recommendation.

Shortly after the calling of a pastor, the church body turned its attention to calling a part-time worship leader. Mark Day had been doing a fine job in that position until February, 2005. However, his responsibilities were numerous and he and the church leadership felt that another individual needed to perform that ministry for the church to continue to grow. Luke Tolar, a recent addition to the student body at Southern Seminary in Louisville, was asked to lead worship for a trial period from February 6-27. Being pleased with his giftedness and call, the search team recommended that the church call Luke to become the part-time Worship Leader beginning March 6, 2005. The church unanimously affirmed the committee’s recommendation.

While God’s hand has been seen at work up to this point, we feel that He has yet to see His plan to completion at Master’s Church. Space has already become an issue and the church body is seeking God’s leadership on the potential of renting the warehouse space next door to our present facility. Also, purchasing land is a goal that we pray God will eventually make a reality. It is evident that the Lord is at work in the life of this body and our desire is that He will continue to be glorified in all we do.

What do we believe?

Foundational Beliefs are the guidelines, values, precepts, and truths that steer an organization or body of people. These foundational beliefs are the primary focal point of everything the church is and does as a body. Our foundational beliefs stem completely from the Bible, God’s authoritative Word. Therefore, we believe that these beliefs are non-negotiable. They are not to be questioned, debated, or redefined in any way. Our beliefs guard the fellowship and guide the direction of our church body. See also Core Values

• Our Statement of Faith and Practice

I . What we believe

• In essential beliefs - we have UNITY
  “There is one Body and one Spirit. . . there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father of us all…” Ephesians 4:4-6

• In nonessential beliefs - we have LIBERTY
  “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. .. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. .. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. ” Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22

• In all our beliefs - we show LOVE
  “.. . If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains but have no love, I amount to nothing at all,” I Cor. 13:2

• Our Life-Style Statement

II. What we practice

Beliefs are worthless unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following seven practices. These distinctives also reflect the foundational truths recorded in the Baptist Faith and Message, adopted and adhered to cooperating churches of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Master’s Church will be associated with and fully support the efforts of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and the Elkhorn Baptist Association. In so doing, the Master’s Church will provide continuous financial support to the Cooperative Program of the SBC, and funding of the KBC, and local associational support.

• B - Bible as our sole authority
  “The whole Bible was given to use by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and makes us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens out and helps us to do what is right. ” ( 2 Timothy 3:16 )

Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. The Bible is the basis for all we believe

• A - Autonomy of each local church
  “Christ is the head of his Body, the church He is the source of the Body’s life …” ( Col. 1:18 )

Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control.

• P - Priesthood of every believer
  ” Christ loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God…” ( Rev. 1:16 ) “You are… the King’s priests… God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God. ” ( I Peter 2:9 )

The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full-time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading

• T - Tithing
  “A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord, it is holy to the Lord.” ( Leviticus 27:30)

At Master’s Church we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s Body, the Church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving.

• I - Immersion
  “For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ… ” ( Col. 2:12 )

We practice baptism by immersion under water - the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.

• S - Spirit-led living
  Jesus said, “l am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from Me you can do nothing. ” ( John 15:5 )

We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right. ( Phil. 2:13; Ephesians 5:18 )

• T - Telling others about Christ
  “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you t give the reason of the hope that you have. ” ( I Peter 3:15 )

It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those God brings us into contact with. We practice, both in traditional and unique ways, sharing about Christ and inviting others to church.

Where do we meet?

Our location is less than 1.5 miles from Masterson Station, just off Leestown Road @ 133 Trade Street in the Leestown Road Industrial Park.

When do we meet?

• Monday:
  6:30pm Ladies’ Prayer & Bible Study
• Wednesday:
  5:15pm Mid-week Meal ($4/person; $10/family)
  5:15pm High Octane Ministries
  6:00pm M.Y.X. (youth)
  6:30pm Bible Skills, Drills & Thrills (kids grades 1-6)
  6:30pm Adult Bible Study & Prayer
• Saturday:
  7:30am Mens’ Prayer & Bible Study.
• Sunday:
  9:15am Bible Study
  10:30am Celebration Worship
  5:00pm Mission Baptist of Calvary

Why should I come?

Are you hungry for the Word of God? Jesus invites you to come and have your hunger for the Word of God filled at Master’s Church. In John 6:35 we hear Jesus talking about hunger: “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” Why come to Master’s Church? because we offer Him that is able to fill your spiritual needs, spiritual hunger and spiritual thirst. In John 7:37 Jesus Christ says that He can fill that spiritual thirst. “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” Come to Master’s Church to find what God can and will provide for you.