Forming disciples, that knowgrow inshare Christ
Affiliated to the Southern Baptist Convention, and located in the shadow of the great city of New York, to the west of the Hudson River, we are an evangelical bilingual congregation that preaches Jesus Christ
Our History
Nazareth Baptist Church had its beginnings in 1963, when a group of Cuban brothers, suffering political exile, felt the need come together to worship and cry out to the Lord. Originating as a bible study that met at the home of Gustavo and Avelina Garcia. This small community of faith was sponsored as a mission for two years by Bergen Baptist Church (now known as Christ Community Church). On September 26, 1965, it was formed as a church affiliated to the Southern Baptist Convention.
Rev. Jose Ruiz was ordained as the first pastor of the church, and he served until December 1967. In March of 1968, Rev. Nicomedes Flores was named the new pastor. What followed were years of spiritual growth as well as an increase in attendance, which made it necessary for the church to relocate from its original location of 311 52nd Street in West New York, to the temple it currently occupies on 5800 Palisade Avenue.
The church continued to grow, as it saw brothers from many Hispanic countries join. Rev. Flores remained faithful in his post until his retirement in July of 1997, having served as pastor of this church for 29 years. In August of 1997, Rev. Paul Flores was called to pastor Nazareth. In August of 2003, Rev. Felix Valdivia was named assistant pastor, and served this congregation until August 2012. Successively, Brother Josue Vazquez is named youth pastor in June of 2007. The most recent member off the pastoral team is Rev. Noel Navarro, named assistant pastor in January 2013.
Nazareth now has almost 600 members, and remains firm in its mission to proclaim the gospel of Christ in this community and to the ends of the earth.
Our Vision-Mision
Christ
Has heard the Gospel of salvation and has responded in faith, acknowledging himself as a sinner and accepting the grace of God through Jesus Christ, inviting Him into his life and giving Him control of it. Begins to have a personal and growing relationship with Jesus.
I am the good shepard. I know my own and my own know me. John 10:14
Their church
Understands that the church is the body of Christ, and that by believing he becomes part of it. A true disciple values and loves the church because our Lord gave himself up for it.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27
Knowledge
A true disciple fully develops by studying the scriptures, praying and seeking more of the Lord with every day. This entails having knowledge of the truths that are the true cornerstones of the Christian faith.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
Character
A disciple begins to resembles the Lord. The Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit that leads to a disciple’s resemblance to Christ. Our personalities remain, but our character is transformed, modeling the traits of Jesus.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1
Ministries
Jesus’s life was characterized by his spirit of service. Jesus enables us to do the same through his spirit, which gives us talents or gifts that we are able to utilize for God’s work.
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ… 1 Corinthians 4:1
Missions
The disciple is responsible for sharing the Gospel, becoming involved in any missionary effort to which God has guided him. This includes a strong commitment to use one’s own personal testimony to reach those with whom you interact.
…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8
Nazareth is a community of
disciples that know,
grow and share.
Our Pastors
Passionate about God, they look to be committed to His Word, upright in character and faithful in service.
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
– Hebrews 6:10 –
True happiness is not how much we have in this life, but in how much of our life is in the hands of Jesus.
Start on this path today!
Our Beliefs
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe and has existed forever in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are equal and form one God.
See: Genesis 1:1, 26; Genesis 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14.
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, he is consubstantial with the Father. Jesus Christ lived a human life without sin and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world when he died on the cross. On the third day he resurrected amongst the dead, to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to the heavens and will return again to Earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
See: Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13.
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is consubstantial with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to keep human beings aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian, sealing us from the moment of salvation.
Provides Christians with an understanding of the spiritual truth and sovereignly guides us by the will of God. Gives power to the believer in service and consoles in affliction. Distributes spiritual talents or gifts, with which the believer responds to the calling to serve and minister.
See: 1 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18.
About the Bible
The Bible is the word of God, written by human authors guided by the Holy Spirit. It is the ultimate resource of the truth for Christian belief and life. Because it is inspired by God, it is the irrefutable truth.
Our first question when faced with making a decision is: “What does the Bible say about this?” We engage in daily readings, study and memorize biblical texts. The Bible is the basis for everything we believe in.
See: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalms 119:105, 160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5.
About Man
Man was created in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in character. Man is God’s ultimate object of creation. Although man has great potential for doing good, he is stained by the tendency to disobey God. This disobedience is called “sin”. Sin separates us from God, causes much problems in life and in the end will lead many people to eternal condemnation in hell.
See: Genesis 1:17; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Isaiah 59:1, 2; Romans 3:23.
About Salvation
Salvation is God’s gift, but it must be accepted. We can not offer good deeds or personal improvement as compensation for our sins. We can only be saved by trusting that Jesus Christ is God’s offer of forgiveness for our sins. Eternal life begins from the moment that we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, giving Him the control.
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the gospel of salvation with everyone in their circle that does not know Christ.
See: John 14:6; Romans 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5.
About eternal security
God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ. Therefore, believers are secure in this eternal salvation. Salvation can not be lost: it is obtained and maintained through the grace and power of God.
See: John 10:29; 1 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5.
About the church
The universal church is the community for all those redeemed by Christ. The Lord established it and He is its Savior and its Head. According to the New Testament, the local church is an autonomous body, whose members are endowed and guided by the Holy Spirit to do the work of preaching the gospel and strengthening the believer.
We recognize the value of voluntary affiliation with other churches and organizations of the same faith and order, but we believe that every local church should have its own governance and be independent of any denominational control. We urge the congregation to determine its own strategy, structure and style.
The church is sustained by the offerings of believers, as God commands. We recognize that some give in accordance to the 10% measure stated in the Old Testament, but that the measure in the New Testament is that we should give without limits, regularly, generously and merrily.
See: Acts 15 (The Jerusalem Council); Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 9:7.
About eternity
People were created to exist eternally. We have two options: we can exist eternally separated from God by sin, or united with God by his forgiveness and salvation.
The eternal separation from God is hell. To live in eternal unity with Him is the eternal life in heaven. Heaven and hell are real places for eternal existence.
See: Matthew 1:8; 2:44; John 2:25; 3:16; 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Acts 15; Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Our Services
Sundays (Online* & In-person)
09:00 am – Servicio de Adoración (Español)
11:00 am – Worship Service (In English)
01:00 pm – Servicio de Adoración (Español)
(*) Only 11:00 am and 1:00 pm services.
Wednesday (Online)
07:00 pm – Estudio Bíblico & Oración (Español)
08:00 pm – Bible Study & Prayer (English)