About Us

Our Story

In the Spring of 2007, the Lord began to burden Pastor John Gibson for church planting in New York City. New York City is by far the most populous city in the United States. Most of the people to whom we minister live within the 2-mile radius of Forest Hills/Rego Park in Queens. This multi-cultural area is home to more than 80,000 people. In December 2009 we began Friday night services and by the Spring of 2010 we began Sunday services. We met in Parker Towers Apartments for nine years, but are relocating to a new facility at 97-40 64th Ave. Rego Park, NY 11374.

Why is our church called Shalom Baptist Church? “Shalom” is the Hebrew word for “peace.” “Peace” is defined as “freedom from worry or fear; contentment.” In times of uncertainty, that kind of peace is priceless. We believe that peace with ourselves and the world around us begins with peace with God. At Shalom Baptist Church, you and your family will hear a message from God’s Word that transcends age and cultural differences, breaks down barriers, and builds up lives. We invite you to come experience “Shalom.”

The purpose of Shalom Baptist Church is to glorify God through our Lord, the Messiah Jesus; to unite both Jewish and Gentile believers in one body, the local church; to reach all people with the good news of the gospel; and to build up believers for life-long ministry. “For he is our peace, who hath made both (Jew and Gentile) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” Ephesians 2:14

Mission & Vision

Shalom Baptist Church stands on the Word of God as our authority for faith, our guide through life, and our hope for eternity. Forty Jewish sages transcribed God’s inspired Word for us, and we thank the Nation of Israel for giving us the Bible. Our desire is to be a blessing by offering a free copy of the New Testament Prophecy edition in English. Through the Tanach (the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament), God tells the story of the origin of mankind and the history of the Jewish people, but also gives many promises. One of those that we are celebrating is the promise of Jeremiah 31:31, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” Jeremiah 31:31

What We Believe

The Word of God

We believe that the sixty-six books of the Bible are verbally inspired (God-breathed) and without error in the original languages. We believe that they are the supreme and final authority in matters of faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:19-21)

God the Father

We believe that God is supreme in His person, eternal in His being, absolute in His attributes and glorious in His perfection. We believe in one Triune God, Creator of heaven and earth, and that God is manifest in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory.

(Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 28:19-20)

God the Son

We believe in Jesus Messiah, the Son of God, that He was conceived without sin by the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary. He lived without sin and died a vicarious death, rose bodily from the dead, ascended bodily to heaven, from whence He will come again to rapture believers and raise the righteous dead, and that He will rule and reign for one thousand years upon the throne of His forefather, David, in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 7:14; John 1:1,14; Galatians 4:4)

God the Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit, that He is a divine Person equal with God the Father and the Son. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and indwells every believer. He inspired the writers of the Bible and fills believers with power for service. However, we believe the temporary “sign gifts” ceased with the complete revelation of Scripture, including speaking in tongues and miracles of healing. (John 3:5; Ephesians 1:13)

The Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but that he sinned and incurred not only physical death but spiritual death (separation from God) and that all human beings therefore are born with a sinful nature and are also sinners by choice. The wages of sin is death, and death passed upon all men and women. (Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; 5:12-19; 6:23)

Salvation of Sinners

We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Messiah, and that it is the free gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Salvation is only accomplished by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Messiah, as men put their personal faith and saving trust in Him. (John 3:3-6; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-10)

Security of Believers

We believe in the security of believers and that, in Messiah, men and women are saved for eternity depending entirely upon the finished work of Messiah. A born-again person is the eternal possession of God, and is kept secure in His everlasting hand. Nothing shall separate believers from the love of God in Messiah Jesus. (John 5:24; 10:27-30; Romans 8:31-35; I John 2:1-2)

The Church

We believe that the local church is an autonomous, baptized (immersed) body of believers unified together by faith in Messiah, preaching His Word, practicing His teachings and obeying His command to go into all the world with the gospel. The two ordinances of the church are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The two officers of the church are pastor and deacons. Messiah is the Head of the Church. The complete body of Messiah is a spiritual organism consisting of all born-again believers of the New Testament dispensation. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:22-23)

Heaven and Hell

We believe in the eternal blessedness of the saved in heaven and the eternal punishment of the lost in hell. Heaven is a place which Messiah has prepared for His own, and hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels. Men and women will go to hell because they are lost sinners and reject the gospel and God’s free offer of salvation in Messiah. (Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-31; John 14:1-3)

Last Things

We believe in the imminent, pre-tribulational Rapture (catching away) of the Church. We believe in the pre-millennial, visible, bodily return of Jesus Messiah to earth (the Second Coming) which will occur at the close of the Tribulation period. We believe that Messiah will rule with His saints for one thousand years upon the earth. Then will come a new heaven and a new earth wherein righteousness will dwell, which will last for all eternity. (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46; Acts 24:15; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Thessalonians 2:1-12; Revelation 20,21)

Current Trends in Religion

We are an Independent Baptist Church and take a stand against current trends which lead to the discrediting of the Bible and tend to undermine the fundamentals of the historic faith. We take a separatist stand against Reformed theology and teachings of John Calvin, Arminianism and teachings of James Arminius, Neo-orthodoxy, Neo-evangelicalism, the Ecumenical and Charismatic movements and the modern Tongues movement. We are not a part of the ”Messianic movement.”