About Galilee

 

The First Galilee Missionary Baptist Church began when Brother Douglas Knox Jr. was called as a Missionary to Fresno, California.  Brother Knox first started teaching bible classes to a small but dedicated group in the home of a Mission Charter member.  The word quickly spread that a man of God was willing and more than able to teach the Gospel.   The scriptural work was endorsed by Faith Landmark Missionary Baptist Church of Sacramento, California.  Brother Knox was ordained as Missionary of Galilee Baptist Mission, July 1985.  The records indicate there were eleven charter members.

 

The First Galilee Missionary Baptist Church was organized into a New Testament Church on May 28, 1990.  The church’s first facility was located in southeast Fresno at 4671 E. Kings Canyon Road.  The church later purchased their present facility in April 1995.

 

First Galilee Missionary Baptist Church is affiliated with the California Cooperative Association of Missionary Baptist Churches; the local Central Valley Association, the California State Cooperative Association, and the National  American Baptist Association. Galilee’s legacy can be traced back to the personal ministry of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jerusalem.

 

First Galilee Missionary Baptist Church now  has a membership which includes hundreds of saved souls.  Galilee’s brothers and sisters have been enriched and are dedicated to the Bridegroom, making disciples and following God’s commandments.  First Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, has over the years licensed several brothers to preach.  Three of these men now pastor, the Sacred Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Auberry, CA. and the Harvest Missionary Baptist Church in Fresno CA. and the Grace and Truth Missionary Baptist Mission in Fresno CA.

 

About Pastor

 

Pastor Knox was saved by grace and baptized by the Faith Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, Sacramento CA on May 13, 1979.

 

He is originally from Tampa, Florida and came to California by way of the United States Air Force.  While stationed at Mather Air Force Base in 1978, he was invited to attend services at Faith Landmark Missionary Baptist Church by his friends of 13 years.  Pastor Knox became energetically motivated to learn God’s Word under the tutelage of Pastor Leonard Smith, and on February 1981, he surrendered to the Call of the Gospel ministry.

 

After retiring from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant, in November 1984, he sought God’s will and enrolled at the Fresno Missionary Baptist Institute in Fresno, California. God guided Brother Knox to begin evangelizing in Southeast Fresno.  The blessings of God upon this endeavor led to his being ordained in July 1985 and sent out as a missionary to begin the formation of the First Galilee Mission.

 

Pastor Knox has earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Applied Science, Bachelor of Theology, Master of Theology, Doctor of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees from the Fresno Missionary Baptist Institute, Fresno, California and has been for the last 30 years affiliated with the seminary, working in various capacities as instructor, administrator and counselor.

 

He is the only spiritual leader of The First Galilee Missionary Baptist Church from its humble beginnings.

 

Pastor Knox married his wife Sandra in 1965 and they are the proud parents of Andrew and Melody.   The Knox family includes daughter-in-law Jacqueline Knox, four grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

 

Pastor’s greatest love is correctly dividing the Word of God, fulfilling the scriptures in Matthew 28:19-20, and seeing souls saved.  The First Galilee Missionary Baptist Church is blessed and proud to be led by this dedicated learned man of God.  Pastor Knox and family live as an example of Christian service to God.

 

Our Statement of Faith

 

• We believe in the infallible, verbal inspiration of the whole Bible, and that the Bible is the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice. (Psalm 119:160; 2      

       Timothy 3:16)

 

• We believe in the personal Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – equal in divine perfection. (Matthew 28:19)

 

• We believe that the miraculous spiritual manifestation gifts were done away when the Bible was completed. Faith, Hope, and Love are the abiding

       spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 13-14)

 

• We believe that man was created in the image of God and lived in innocence until he fell, by voluntary transgression, from his sinless state; the result being that we are all sinners. (Genesis 1:26; 3:6-24; Romans 5:12,19)

 

• We believe that all who trust in Jesus Christ for salvation are eternally secure in Him and shall not perish. (John 3:36; John 3:16)

 

• We believe in the freedom of worship without interference from the government, and affirm our belief in civil obedience unless the laws and regulations of civil government run contrary to the Holy Scriptures. (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-15)

 

• We believe that scriptural baptism is the immersion in of believers, administered by a New Testament Church, and that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial ordinance restricted to faithful church members. (Matthew 28:18-20)