New England Baptist Church

Dr. Thomas Michael

Growing up on a farm in the hill country of Maryland helped instill in me many important lifetime habits. One of those habits being church attendance. My earliest memories of childhood include Sunday morning services at our local Lutheran parish. There, I was sprinkled, dedicated, and received my First Communion. Singing in the choir, lighting the candles and mowing the grass were avenues in which I contributed to my parent's church. As I grew into adulthood, I began to lose interest in church. To me church was a trial to be endured and relief washed over me each Sunday morning as the service closed. I Dr. Thomas W. Michael always thought of myself as a Christian and hoped if I did my very best I would go to Heaven. Imagine my surprise when my friend Mike a born again Christian insisted he knew he was going to Heaven. "Be careful, Mike, God might strike you dead for being presumptuous." I replied in ignorance. At this time, I was twenty years old and had explored all options of happiness. Cars, money, and girlfriends failed to satisfy me. I was left wondering, "Is this all there is to life?" While attending Mike's church, I heard the pastor preach truths from the Bible that I had never heard before. He shared that we all have sinned and Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sin. Never before, had I been personally confronted with my sinfulness and personal responsibility of either accepting or rejecting Christ's shed blood as the payment for my sin. One Sunday evening following the service, Mike took me by the pastor's home as I had some questions to ask him. The pastor kindly answered each of my questions from the Bible. I then realized that even though I was religious, I was not going to Heaven. Knowing I must make a definite decision to either accept or reject what Jesus Christ had done for me on the cross, I prayed and received Christ as my personal Saviour. This life changing event took place forty-two years ago and I have not regretted it since. Believing that only true peace and fulfillment comes from knowing your sins are paid for and that Heaven is your eternal destiny I have strived to share this good news with others. This has been my goal as pastor of the New England Baptist Church of Medford for the past thirty three years. If you question your eternal destiny or if you desire more information, please contact us. We would love to be of a personal assistance to you.