Our Preacher

Jerry Crolius has proclaimed the gospel since 1984 with local congregations in Ohio, California, Florida, Illinois, and Arkansas. Jerry has been working with the Middleburg family of Christians since April, 2016. Here are a few words from Jerry to help you see his spirit.

I am just a Christian, not a “clergyman.” I wear no titles and no robes. I’m an evangelist, a preacher of the gospel. I have been appointed by the church as one of the “pastors” but I do not wear it as a title. And I am certainly not a “Reverend” or a “Father” (Matthew 23:1-12).

The Middleburg congregation is a local family of Christians — emphasis on family. The church is God’s household (1 Timothy 3:15). So we have made a commitment to one another as a family to worship and serve our Lord together. If you ask, “What kind of Christians are you?” we don’t really know how to answer that. God has but one family, those who are in Christ the Son (Galatians 3:26-27). So we are just Christians like the early believers who wore the name of Christ when the church of Christ began (1 Peter 4:16; Acts 11:26; Romans 16:16). There were no denominations then. There was and still is only “one body” and “one faith” and “one baptism” (Ephesians 4:4-6). That’s why we have no association with denominational organizations. Such organizations are not authorized by Christ, are divisive, and are against the will of God (John 17:17-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13).

Like the individual congregations of the New Testament, we are just a locally shepherded family of disciples who want to follow and obey God. As for creeds, ours is the Bible. It is necessary to believe all of the Bible, not just some of it. Man-made creeds elevate one truth above another. Their very existence only divides believers into different “camps.” We are determined to follow only the Bible, and all of the Bible, with deep respect for Christ’s authority (Matthew 28:18-20), so that we may love Jesus by keeping His commandments (John 14:15). Our aim is to follow Christ’s teaching in the 21st century just as loyal Christians did in the 1st century.

We want to attract others to Jesus by our love and respect for God and His Word, and by our love and respect for one another. We hope you are attracted to Jesus for those same reasons. God’s richest blessings are upon those who seek Him in truth (Psalms 145:18; Micah 6:8). We would love for you to join with us in our service to God and His family. See you soon? 🙂

Please use the form below to contact me with any questions or comments.