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Transforming Lives through God's Word
A place where you can find hope, purpose, and restoration through Jesus Christ.
Who We Are
About Us
In this world today there is currently a tremendous need for an optimistic sense of hope, close supportive friendships, spiritual strength, and a life that has purpose. We are attempting to meet those needs through House Churches that meet weekly for worship through an interactive sermon, music, a time of sharing about what we have been
In this world today there is currently a tremendous need for an optimistic sense of hope, close supportive friendships, spiritual strength, and a life that has purpose. We are attempting to meet those needs through House Churches that meet weekly for worship through an interactive sermon, music, a time of sharing about what we have been learning through our individual time spent in the Bible during the week using a Bible reading plan Hope Bible Church has put together, and a time of prayer. The vast majority of ministry and caring at Hope Bible Church takes place in the House Church.
Ephesians 4:12 tells us that the Pastor is to equip God's people to minister to others. Pastor Morris studies God's Word in depth and puts together interactive Bible studies that he does with his House Church and gives these studies to other House Church Leaders for them to do with their House Churches. The House Church Leaders encourage, care for and pray for those in their House Church. The House Church also provides a comfortable and natural way to reach out and invite friends. Those not interested in being House Church Leaders are encouraged to grown in their faith and share their faith by following a biblically based equipping track which the House Church Leaders are also doing. It begins with Godquest followed by: The Three Books in the New Testament That Tell us What We Must Do To Go To Heaven; Baptism - Is Your Understanding of Baptism All Wet; The Lord's Supper - Separating Fact From Fiction, etc. The Apostle Paul says to Timothy in II Timothy 2:2, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."
Meeting in homes for ministry is nothing new. It is what the early church did. Consider the following passages: I Corinthians 16:19, "Aquilla and Priscilla greet you warmly...so does the church that meets at their house." Romans 16:5, "Gree the church that meets at their house." Colossians 4:15, "Give my greetings...to Nympha and the church that meets in her home." Philemon 2, "To our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow solder, and to the church that meets in their house."
When the early church made the home the center of its ministry, it unleashed and leveraged the power of relationships for both caring and outreach.
Once a year in December all of the House Churches meet together over a meal and have a church service where we celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Acts 2:46 and Acts 5:42 tell us that this is what the early Christian church did: Acts 2:46 says, "Every day they continued to meet in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad an sincere hearts." Acts 5:42 says, "Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah."
The early church soared for roughly 300 years. During those years these relationship-based churches met in homes which provided the opportunity for people to build deep and caring friendships. This changed in A.D. 312 when Constantine made Christianity legal and Christians stopped meeting in homes and met only in large groups in special buildings. With this change the church became, for all practical purpose, and audience. While the Reformation caused a theological change that brought us back to the Bible, it did not bring a structural change. The format Hope Bible Church is following is a "back to the Bible" structural change.
Our Focus
The Bible has a strategy to reach the eight billion people that will be living in the next generation. This strategy is found in two related passages in the New Testament. The first is Matthew 18:19-20. It has been called the Great Commission and contains some of Jesus' last words. Matthew 28:19-20 says, "Therefore go and make disciples o
The Bible has a strategy to reach the eight billion people that will be living in the next generation. This strategy is found in two related passages in the New Testament. The first is Matthew 18:19-20. It has been called the Great Commission and contains some of Jesus' last words. Matthew 28:19-20 says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The Great Commission tells us we are to focus our attention on making disciples.
The second passage that gives us a strategy for reaching the world is II Timothy 2;2, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." Because of this we believe that the most effective way to make disciples is one on one personal follow up. Billy Graham said, "If every believer followed the pattern of II Timothy 2:2 the church could reach the world with the Gospel in one generation. Mass crusades in which I believe and to which I have committed my life will never finish the Great Commission, but a one-on-one ministry of discipleship will." (The Holy Spirit, Waco, Texas: Word, 1978, p. 147)
If you were to reach and disciple one person for Christ a year, at the end of that year there would be the two of you. Then if both of you reached one person each and discipled them, at the end of year two there would be four growing reproducing Christians. If that continued the following would be the result:
4 years = 16 people reached and trained
6 years = 64 people reached and trained
8 years = 256 people reached and trained
10 years = 1,024 people reached and trained
12 years = 4,096 people reached and trained
13 years = 8,192 people reached and trained
20 years = 1,048,576 people reached & trained
30 years = 1,073,741,824 people reached & trained
33 years = 8,589,934,592 people reached & trained
(This is more than the current world population.)
Jesus discipled twelve men for three years. When He died His church numbered one hundred and twenty. By today's standards it would not be a mega church or even a large church. However, its impact was huge! Jesus was unimpressed with the momentary applause that comes with a large church. Instead, He reproduced His life in a few chosen men who carried His work on after He was gone. Keep in mind, He was omniscient. He knew everything. If there were a more effective way, He would have done it. The results speak for themselves. Today, two thousand years later, Christianity is the largest religion in the world. Thirty-two percent of the world's population claim to be followers of Christ. This is twice as big as its nearest rival.
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Our Beliefs
Our Beliefs
THE BIBLE
We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testament are the verbally inspired Word of God
(II Timothy 3:16). The Holy Spirit revealed God's truth to the minds of the human writers, so that using their own individual personalities they composed and recorded God's perfect revelation to man (II Peter 1:21; I Corinthians 2:10-1
THE BIBLE
We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testament are the verbally inspired Word of God
(II Timothy 3:16). The Holy Spirit revealed God's truth to the minds of the human writers, so that using their own individual personalities they composed and recorded God's perfect revelation to man (II Peter 1:21; I Corinthians 2:10-13). We believe that with the passing of the apostles the Bible was completed and that direct and divine revelation is not being given today (Acts 1:20-25; Ephesians 2:20; II Peter 1:21; I Thessalonians 2:13; Revelation 22:18-19). We further maintain that God has supernaturally preserved His revelation so that it is the infallible Word of God (Matthew 5:17-18; Psalm 119:160)
THE TRUINE GOD
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each eternal in being, identical in nature, equal in power and glory and having the same divine attributes (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 9:14)
GOD THE FATHER
We believe God the Father is perfect in holiness, boundless in love, infinite in wisdom and measureless in power (Isaiah 6:3; I John 3:6; Psalm 147:5; Revelation 19:6) We believe that God the Father orders and disposes all things according to His own purposes (Psalm 145:8-9). He has decreed, for His own glory, all things that come to pass yet He is neither the author nor approver of sin (Ephesians 1:11; Habakkuk 1:13). We believe that in eternity past God planned for the provision of Christ's redemptive work (Ephesians 1:3-5; I Peter 1:18-20). We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, and that God is Father to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all people (I John 3:1, Acts 17:24-29)
GOD THE SON
We believe Jesus Christ, God the Son, eternally existed with the Father, but in His incarnation was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (John 1:1-2, 14; Matthew 1:18-25). As the God/Man, the Lord Jesus became perfect humanity and undiminished deity united in one person forever (Philippians 2:5-8). The Lord Jesus was sinless in His nature and life, making full payment for the sins of the world by His substitutionary death on the cross (I Peter 2:22; Romans 5:8). We believe in His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28; John 20 and 21), His ascension into Heaven *Acts 1:9-11). His present intercession for His people at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34) and His literal premillennial return to earth (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Meet Some House Church Leaders
DR. GARY MORRIS
Fast Facts:
- Born May 9, 1950
- Lived in Pawtucket, R.I. until the age of twelve, moved to Roswell, GA for five years, moved to West Dennis, MA at the age of nineteen
- Became a Christian in 1969 through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ
- Married his wife, Connie, on June 21, 1975
- Graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary
DR. GARY MORRIS
Fast Facts:
- Born May 9, 1950
- Lived in Pawtucket, R.I. until the age of twelve, moved to Roswell, GA for five years, moved to West Dennis, MA at the age of nineteen
- Became a Christian in 1969 through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ
- Married his wife, Connie, on June 21, 1975
- Graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a M.A. in Biblical Studies, graduated from Ashland Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity, graduated from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary with a Doctorate of Ministry
- Pastored for thirteen years, was the Principal of two different Christian Schools for thirteen years, Prison Chaplain for five years, Bible Institute Teacher for eight years, and currently is the Co-Founder (along with Paul Garcia) of Hope Bible Church
- Ordained in 1981
- Blessed with three adult sons, two daughter-in-laws and six grandchildren
How long have you been a Christian?
I received Christ as my Savior through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ in July of 1969.
How were you introduced to the Lord?
As a child I knew that God existed from the things He had made. An incredible design demands an incredible designer. It was not until I was nineteen, however, that I discovered in a small group Bible study that God had communicated to us. His words and thoughts had been recorded for all time and for all people on the pages of the Bible. What I read fascinated my mind and fed my soul. I found that I had a voracious appetite for reading the Word of God. I no longer had to settle for simply being convinced that God existed – I now knew what He had said. One of the things He said was that we could know for certain that we are going to heaven. I John 5:11-13 says, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” These verses tell us that God was like a perfectly just judge who judged us and found us guilty, pronounced the sentence for our wrong doing and then stepped out from behind the judges desk and paid the penalty that we justly deserved.
What do you most enjoy about being a Christian?
I enjoy caring for others and teaching God’s Word. I love being a pastor.
What has been God’s calling on your life?
Shortly after I became a Christian at age nineteen I felt God’s call to be a pastor and teach in a Bible College to enable others to become pastors. This intense God-given desire motivated me to go to seminary, pastor Emmanuel Baptist Church and teach at New England Bible Institute. In the summer of 2008 Paul Garcia and I began to pray about planting a church. Out of that prayer came Hope Bible Church.
What is your position at Hope Bible Church?
I am an ordained minister and founding pastor.
What caused you to become a pastor?
Because there is nothing of greater importance than the Bible, I wanted to dedicate myself to the study and teaching of God’s Word. I also wanted to give my life to the spiritual care of God’s people. Ezra 7:10 says “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”
What is your favorite Book of the Bible?
My favorite book of the Bible is Daniel. I like the practical nature of the first half of the book and the astounding prophecies of the second half of the book.
What do you most enjoy about Hope Bible Church?
I love the leadership opportunities that Hope Bible Church offers. A church planting church has possibilities that exceed our imagination. Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us God gave pastors to equip others to do the work of the ministry. A network of House Churches allows others to minister the Word of God without being “in the shadows” of the Pastor.
PAUL GARCIA
Fast Facts:
- Born October 10, 1968
- Lived in Bristol, RI until the age of 14
- Graduated Ponnagasett High School in 1986
- Married his wife Julie on January 30th, 1988
- Two children: Jessica and Miranda
- Became a Christian in February 1996 at Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
- Currently owns and operates America's Best Defense Marti
PAUL GARCIA
Fast Facts:
- Born October 10, 1968
- Lived in Bristol, RI until the age of 14
- Graduated Ponnagasett High School in 1986
- Married his wife Julie on January 30th, 1988
- Two children: Jessica and Miranda
- Became a Christian in February 1996 at Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
- Currently owns and operates America's Best Defense Martial Arts Academy
How long have you been a Christian?
I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior at Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale in February 1996.
How were you introduced to the Lord?
There was a lot going on in my life during that time. My wife and I had decided to separate. Because of these personal problems, I decided to sell the Martial Arts school I was running in Rhode Island and start a new career as a Martial Arts consultant in Coral Springs, Florida.
Professionally, my life was going very well but personally I was hurting. During that time a friend of mine who I worked with in the office invited me to church. Although I was reluctant to go, my friend assured me that I would love the teaching style of this church. I had never heard of a “non-denominational” Christian Church, and I didn’t know what an “Evangelical” Christian was. But at that time in my life I was really hurting. I knew I had to get my life together, and I knew I had to get right with God.
The first day I attended church was an experience I will never forget. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The worship was like attending a rock concert. I had never heard music that was so alive and exciting. I had never seen so many people gathered in once place to attend church! The place was packed, and the ages varied from young adults to senior citizens—all enjoying themselves. I never knew church could be so enjoyable.
Then came the teaching! I was so engaged as I listened to Pastor Bob Coy present the Word of God in such a humorous yet relevant way. I never realized that the Bible was so relevant to today’s times. I remember thinking: “this guy is a good speaker. He’s funny, very down to earth and easy to relate to.” I remember hearing over and over again that God had a plan for my life. I also remember hearing Pastor Bob say: “If you’re tired of running your own life, why don’t you hand if over to the Lord and let Him run it for you.” At that time I was tired—tired of making a mess of things. Finally, after my 3rdor 4th time attending I dedicated my life to Jesus Christ.
What do you enjoy most about being a Christian?
What’s not to enjoy? I love all aspects of being a Christian. Whether it’s reading God’s Word, hanging out with believers, or witnessing to non-believers, I enjoy it all. But if I had to pick the thing I enjoy the most, I would definitely say it’s studying and reading God’s Word. I love to learn about God and His plan for our lives.
What has been God’s calling on your life?
A few years after being a Christian, I started to have a heavy burden for kids. God put a burden on my heart regarding how much kids were under attack through the negative influences of things like the media, music, TV, etc.
I remember thinking about how these things could really influence a child in a negative way. God helped me to see that through my love of teaching Martial Arts, I could open a school in which we served as a positive influence for kids. My school could be a place where kids not only learned Martial Arts skills, but also learned things like attitude control and character development. In short, the Martial Art school could be a tool to reach out to children and be a positive force in their life countering all the negative influences they are surrounded by.
So, in the beginning this was the Goal of the Martial Arts Academy I opened in North Attleboro, MA. However, once I opened the school I also began to have another burden. God quickly put a burden on my heart for the financial struggles of the church. Many churches have a burning desire to serve God in big ways; unfortunately, they are restricted by their lack of finances. God quickly showed me that running a Christian business was more that just being a Christian who owned his own business. God began to show me that part of my calling was to be a tool that God could use to financially support His work. To this day, America's Best Defense tithes 10% of its gross sales.
What is your favorite Book in the Bible?
My favorite book is Romans. I love Romans because it is the only book in the Bible that teaches the entire doctrine of the Gospel. For me, it’s the most engaging, thought provoking, and awe inspiring book in the entire Bible.
What do you enjoy most about Hope Bible Church?
I think Hope Bible Church has a great balance of many things. First, Dr. Morris is an incredible teacher who makes learning fun and interesting. He has a great way of explaining things and helping you to see how much God loves you and how relevant his Word is to your life.
But I also think Hope Bible Church is more than just great teaching. Dr. Morris is very concerned about caring for God’s people. He likes having everyone attend small group studies so they don’t get lost in the crowd, and their needs can be personally and relationally attended to. He wants everyone to feel welcome and a part of the Church.
Lastly, I think Hope Bible Church does a great job of making Church enjoyable. Church should never be a dismal, wearisome, burden that we do out of obligation. Being in God’s house should be something you enjoy. I believe going to church should be the highlight of your week and something you look forward to. If this sounds foreign to you, maybe you should check out Hope Bible Church.
JOHN-PAUL PLOUFFE
Fast Facts:
- Born March 2,1963 in Bellingham, Massachusetts
- The youngest of 5, with 2 brothers and 2 sisters
- Married to Tricia Stepanski Plouffe on September 12,1997 on Cape Cod
- Graduated from the Johnson & Wales University School of Business with B.S. in Business Management
- Has 4 nephews and 2 nieces
- Co-Owner of Gol
JOHN-PAUL PLOUFFE
Fast Facts:
- Born March 2,1963 in Bellingham, Massachusetts
- The youngest of 5, with 2 brothers and 2 sisters
- Married to Tricia Stepanski Plouffe on September 12,1997 on Cape Cod
- Graduated from the Johnson & Wales University School of Business with B.S. in Business Management
- Has 4 nephews and 2 nieces
- Co-Owner of Golden Rule Home Care with his wife Tricia, in Worcester, MA
How long have you been a Christian?
- I received Christ as my Savior at 6:30 pm on May 19, 1987
How were you introduced to the Lord?
When I was very young, I knew that God existed, by the creation itself. I knew that the intricate design of nature needed a Designer. But He seemed very far away and unapproachable. I was desperately trying to find meaning in my life and felt that I was a failure in every way; morally, socially, financially and more. My future didn’t look good and it was getting worse with each passing year. I felt like there was no hope.
Then, as I searched, I became aware of the gospel message of the Bible: that God loved me so much that He gave His best gift in order to have a personal relationship with me that would last forever. The most popular verse in the Bible says this in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I didn’t yet understand this message and had to hear it again and again throughout a period of four years before I would understand and believe it with a “saving faith”. For all those years I continued to ask, over and over again, “How can I have a “personal” relationship with the Creator?” In John 5:34 Jesus said “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. I knew that I was a sinner (“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23) and I became aware that I personally deserved the just judgment of God. I was also painfully aware that I couldn’t pay the price on my own. I needed a Savior, an Advocate for me who was sinless and who had willingly paid the penalty for me on the cross. The Bible says in Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The Bible also says in 1
Corinthians 15:3-4 “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures”. This is the clearest explanation of the gospel actually is in the whole Bible. So, I believed with all my heart that Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose again for my justification on the third day “according to the Scriptures”. It is not only what the Old Testament teaches, but the New Testament reveals as well. How could I make Christ my own personal Savior? The Bible tells us this as well…Romans 10:9-13 “9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” In a moment of decision at 6:30pm on Tuesday, May 19, 1987, I “called upon the name of the Lord” in the most sincere way that I was capable of…in the very moment when I truly believed the gospel, I called upon Him and received Christ as my personal Savior.
From the very moment of accepting Christ, everything has changed. Among many other things, the Bible says that I am now a new creation in Christ…2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” My desires have changed, my outlook has changed, my eternal destiny has changed, and much more. I now have peace with God, because my sins have been forgiven. I have assurance that I have eternal life in Christ Jesus that can never be lost…1 John 5:13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” I no longer have any fear of dying. I have friends in Christ who also know Him in this intimate way. Last, but certainly not least, I have God’s Word that guides me through every path in life and is sufficient for every need. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16
What do you most enjoy about being a Christian?
- There is peace and joy in my heart knowing that I have eternal life with God in heaven when I die and no matter the circumstances of this life, the peace never fades, because I know that “love never fails”…never!
What has been God’s calling on your life?
- To share the good news of the gospel so that others can know Christ as He has revealed Himself in the Bible, and so have their lives transformed and eternal destiny changed
What is your favorite book of the Bible?
- The book of Romans as it is the most influential piece of literature ever written. It shows sinners how to be righteous in God’s sight, through faith in the finished work of Christ
What do you most enjoy about Hope Bible Church?
- Having the chance to have my own ministry of the Word of God and to be a part of fulfilling “The Great Commission”…“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ” Matthew 28:19-20