Our Pastor
Rev. Dakota Stockton
Pastor Dakota Stockton has a heart for faithfully preaching God's Word, shepherding God's people, and reaching the community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He announced his call to preach in 2009, was licensed to preach by Pond Fork Baptist Church in 2015, and was ordained into the Gospel ministry by Pond Fork Baptist Church in 2026.
Throughout his years of ministry, Pastor Dakota has had the privilege of serving in a variety of roles, including youth pastor, choir director, and in children's, media, and senior adult ministries. These experiences have given him a deep appreciation for every generation of the church and a passion for helping people grow in their relationship with Christ.
Pastor Dakota believes that the local church should be a place where biblical truth is boldly proclaimed, genuine love is demonstrated, families are strengthened, and lives are transformed by the power of the Gospel. His preaching is firmly rooted in Scripture, practical for everyday living, and centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Dakota married his wife, Hannah, in May of 2021, and together they are blessed with two daughters, Sutton, who was born in May of 2022 and Shiloh, who was born in February of 2026. As a family, they enjoy spending time together, serving the Lord, and investing in the lives of others.
Whether you have been following Christ for many years or are simply searching for answers, Pastor Dakota would love the opportunity to welcome you personally to Temple Baptist Church. His prayer is that every person who walks through the doors will experience the love of Christ, the truth of God's Word, and the joy of belonging to a church family.
One of Pastor Dakota’s favorite scriptures is John 14:2 (KJV): “In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.” This verse is a steady reminder of Christ’s promise and the hope of eternity for every believer. It reflects his heart for encouraging others to live with assurance, peace, and anticipation of the home the Lord has prepared for His people.
Randall Ramsey
Church Treasurer
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."
Colossians 3:23-24
Children Ministry Director
Our Team
Deacons
Randall Ramsey
Administrative Team
Martha Ramsey
Missions Treasurer
Ministry Leaders
Youth Ministry Director
Debbie David
Church Secretary
Women Ministry Director
Ron Welch
Bonnie Ray
Church Clerk
Men Ministry Director
Will Ramsey
Facilities Director
What We Believe
The Scriptures
We believe that the Word of God is the complete revelation from God; that its words are inspired and inerrant and that they are the supreme and final authority in faith and conduct. We believe that the King James Bible is the preserved Word of God as promised by the Lord.
(Psalms 12:6–7)
God
We believe in one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(Psalms 8:18, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30)
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, one with the Father and the Son, the indweller of every believer, whereby each is sealed unto the day of the redemption of the body.
(Ephesians 4:30, John 14:17)
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is the true God and true man.
(Matthew 1:20, 23)
Heaven
We believe there is a literal place called Heaven where God’s immediate presence is manifested, where the angels are, and where the redeemed shall ultimately be; from whence Christ descended and ascended again, where He maketh intercession for the saints, and from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
(Revelation 21)
The Devil
We believe in the existence and operating power of a real and personal being opposed to all righteousness and exalting himself against all that God is and has, the evil one called Satan, or the Devil.
(1 Peter 5:8)
Hell
We believe in a literal hell, the place of eternal punishment for the wicked dead.
(Revelation 20:13–15)
Man
We believe that God created man in His own image and in the state of innocency, but that through temptation he willingly transgressed and became dead in trespasses and sins, whereby his posterity inherit a corrupt nature, being born in sin and under condemnation.
(Romans 5:12–19)
Salvation
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to Scripture, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; that He rose from the dead in His glorified body, ascended into heaven and, as our great High Priest and Advocate, He ever lives to make intercession for us; and that all who receive the gift of eternal life do so by the grace of God.
(Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:8–10; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 7:25)
Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.
Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means—especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
(1 Thessalonians 4:3; Philippians 2:12–13; Romans 8:5; 1 John 2:29)
The Church
We believe that a visible church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
(Acts 2:41–42; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Matthew 18:17)
Marriage
We believe God has commanded that no sexual intimacy be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman. The church believes God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to one another.
We believe that God ordained marriage to be between a man and a woman, and the church neither recognizes nor allows marriage in any other manner. Therefore, we believe homosexuality is outside God’s design for marriage and sexual intimacy and is not acceptable for members or anyone in a leadership position in the church.
Baptism
We believe that Christian baptism by immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is the biblical mode of baptism and testifies to the believer’s faith in and identification with the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. This also testifies to our death to sin and our faith in the living Savior.
(Romans 6:4)(1 Thessalonians 4:3; Philippians 2:12–13; Romans 8:5; 1 John 2:29)
The Lord's Supper
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance whereby believers show forth the Lord’s death until He comes.
(1 Corinthians 11:23–26)
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
(Romans 13:1–7; Matthew 23:10; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29)
The Lord's Day
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes by abstaining from all regular labor except works of mercy and necessity; by the devout observance of all means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for the rest which remaineth for all the people of God.
(Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:24–25; Psalms 118:24)
The Righteous and Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as, through faith, are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His esteem, while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief remain under condemnation in His sight, both in life and after death.
(Matthew 3:18; Romans 1:17; Luke 16:25; 1 John 5:19)
We believe that the end of this age is approaching.
(1 Peter 4:7)
We believe in that blessed hope—the personal, imminent return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
(Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the punishment of the lost.
(Revelation 22:11)