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About the Website

“Concerning the Word of Life“

In the Epistle known as 1 John, the Apostle begins his letter by writing about the literal history of living with Jesus. He says “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” (1 John 1:1-4)

In this gritty beginning of handling, and seeing and touching, John communicates what he is writing about – “concerning the Word of Life.” He then says why he is writing – “we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” I claim the same reason for that of this website and its posts. I love God’s Word. I love to study it, memorize it, learn its history and languages, and when able, to share it. As expressed by John in the opening of his letters, I too believe that there is power in the Word. In 1 John we see this power in the creation of community. I think that is the joy he is talking about in the writing. John is inviting us, the reader of his letter, to not only hear about stories of Jesus, but in the hearing and trusting we also become a part of them, enjoying not only fellowship with the Father and the Son, but also of each other. Thus it is my purpose and hope that as you engage with this website and its posts you too can say that you have seen and heard and felt the Word of Life manifested.

About the Author

Trent Eastman

Pastor Trent Eastman has been Lead Pastor of New Baptist Church since its inception in 2008.  Prior to the creation of New Baptist Church, Trent pastored Beverly Hills Baptist Church for 6 years, one of the churches merged to form New Baptist Church.  Before coming to Huntington, he served with Food for the Hungry International in Kenya and Bangladesh (January of 1991 to December of 1999). Trent grew up in the small town of Athena, located within the rich farmlands found at the base of the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon. Trent received his Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary of Wilmore, Kentucky in the Spring of 2016.  He completed his Master of Divinity at Palmer Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2002.  His undergraduate study was completed at Willamette University of Salem Oregon in 1990.  Trent was ordained as an American Baptist Pastor in 2002 at First Baptist Church of Pedricktown, New Jersey.  Currently, Trent chairs the Guyandotte Baptist Association Ordination Council, is a member of the West Virginia Baptist Campus Ministry Board, and serves as a mentor assisting Doctor of Ministry Students.  Trent is also a member of the International Society of Theta Phi, an honor society for scholars in the field of religion and outstanding religious leaders.  Periodically, Trent serves as an adjunct professor for Palmer Theological Seminary’s extension program in West Virginia.  In 1991 Trent married Christie Flanders of Springfield Missouri whom he met during a training the preceding year in Alabama.  Together they have two wonderful boys, Jacob and Joshua, both born while they lived in Dhaka Bangladesh.  Trent’s call to pastoral ministry comes out of a deep love and trust of God’s Word and the belief that the church, the local community of faith, has been called and ordained by God to be His instrument of proclaiming and living the redemptive message of Jesus Christ both in and to this world.  Trent enjoys a number of interests and hobbies as means of creative expression, personal growth, and as means of practicing the spiritual disciplines of rest and listening. These interests include wood working, photography, and the creation of stained glass windows.   He spends time exploring the world of biblical archaeology through personal study and journeys to Israel, Greece and Turkey.  He also enjoys the great beauty of West Virginia and the Appalachian mountains on the back of a motorcycle. Trent’s greatest adventure, joy and privilege in life, though, is encountering the beauty and holiness of God – Father, Son and Spirit.