HISTORY
Higher Ground Church of God began as Pineola Church of God in 1923. The church was founded by E. H. Phillips, and was first pastored by W. J. Pritchard, father of Head Elder and Pastor Emeritus, Herbert Pritchard. Herbert Pritchard pastored the Pineola Church in the 1960’s.
Today Higher Ground Church is pastored by Joshua Earl. Pastor Earl has a heart for evangelism, fueled by a passion to see people brought “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9) through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Higher Ground Church of God is the only classic Pentecostal denomination in the county and our vision is to be a shining Pentecostal lighthouse for this high country area.
ABOUT OUR PASTOR
Pastor Joshua Earl and his wife Michelle come to the High Country with one mission in mind: to see lives changed. In a world filled with sin and heartache, they understand that Jesus is the only remedy for either of these.
Joshua and Michelle are originally from North Providence, RI. High school sweethearts, they were married in 2005, and now have two children: their daughter Kaelyn is five and son Connor is three. They also have one-on-the-way due in July 2012! They moved here from Charlotte, after attending one of the largest Church of God congregations in the country, Central Church of God. They were members there from 2006 to 2011, and served under the leadership of many excellent pastors, teachers, and elders.
Joshua felt the call into ministry in 2007, and became ordained with the Church of God in 2009. In 2007, the Earls wanted to get involved with our young married couples at Central, but found there wasn’t much opportunity there for young married group fellowship. Joshua discussed this need with the Discipleship department, and a Young Married home group was formed. The group grew, and eventually became what is now a thriving Sunday School class. Joshua also served with Central’s College and Career Ministry in a teaching and leadership capacity before coming to Higher Ground.
Joshua considers it a great honor and privilege to be serving at Higher Ground Church. His passion for the truth found in the Word of God is evident each Sunday, and his main desire is to bring people closer to Jesus Christ!
VISION STATEMENT
Our vision is to see Avery County and surrounding High Country counties ignited with a passion for Jesus Christ.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to be a visible representation of Jesus Christ in our community. Our desire is to offer solid biblical preaching, teaching, and resources to help people in their time of need. We believe that the body of Christ does not exist merely inside church walls, but is active in the world. Our desire is not for membership, but that we see lives being changed.
DECLARATION OF FAITH
A “Declaration of Faith” is a set of core biblical beliefs that form the doctrinal foundation for everything we do – both as a denomination and as a church.
We believe in the verbal inspiration of the Bible.
We believe in one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.
We believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
We believe that justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
We believe in sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost.
We believe holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people.
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart.
We believe in speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost.
We believe in water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
We believe divine healing is provided for all in the Atonement.
We believe in the Lord’s Supper and washing of the saints’ feet.
We believe in the premillennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.
Higher Ground Church of God began as Pineola Church of God in 1923. The church was founded by E. H. Phillips, and was first pastored by W. J. Pritchard, father of Head Elder and Pastor Emeritus, Herbert Pritchard. Herbert Pritchard pastored the Pineola Church in the 1960’s. Today Higher Ground Church is pastored by Joshua Earl. Pastor Earl has a heart for evangelism, fueled by a passion to see people brought “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9) through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Higher Ground Church of God is the only classic Pentecostal denomination in the county and our vision is to be a shining Pentecostal lighthouse for this high country area.
ABOUT OUR PASTOR
Pastor Joshua Earl and his wife Michelle come to the High Country with one mission in mind: to see lives changed. In a world filled with sin and heartache, they understand that Jesus is the only remedy for either of these. Joshua and Michelle are originally from North Providence, RI. High school sweethearts, they were married in 2005, and now have two children: their daughter Kaelyn is five and son Connor is three. They also have one-on-the-way due in July 2012! They moved here from Charlotte, after attending one of the largest Church of God congregations in the country, Central Church of God. They were members there from 2006 to 2011, and served under the leadership of many excellent pastors, teachers, and elders.
Joshua felt the call into ministry in 2007, and became ordained with the Church of God in 2009. In 2007, the Earls wanted to get involved with our young married couples at Central, but found there wasn’t much opportunity there for young married group fellowship. Joshua discussed this need with the Discipleship department, and a Young Married home group was formed. The group grew, and eventually became what is now a thriving Sunday School class. Joshua also served with Central’s College and Career Ministry in a teaching and leadership capacity before coming to Higher Ground.
Joshua considers it a great honor and privilege to be serving at Higher Ground Church. His passion for the truth found in the Word of God is evident each Sunday, and his main desire is to bring people closer to Jesus Christ!
VISION STATEMENT
Our vision is to see Avery County and surrounding High Country counties ignited with a passion for Jesus Christ.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to be a visible representation of Jesus Christ in our community. Our desire is to offer solid biblical preaching, teaching, and resources to help people in their time of need. We believe that the body of Christ does not exist merely inside church walls, but is active in the world. Our desire is not for membership, but that we see lives being changed.
DECLARATION OF FAITH
A “Declaration of Faith” is a set of core biblical beliefs that form the doctrinal foundation for everything we do – both as a denomination and as a church.
We believe in the verbal inspiration of the Bible.
We believe in one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.
We believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
We believe that justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
We believe in sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost.
We believe holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people.
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart.
We believe in speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost.
We believe in water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
We believe divine healing is provided for all in the Atonement.
We believe in the Lord’s Supper and washing of the saints’ feet.
We believe in the premillennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.
