Pastor James Vaughn

05/04/2026

04/05/2026

Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, those who have trusted Him don’t just celebrate a risen Savior: we live as risen people.

Colossians 3:1-2 reminds us:
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above… Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

The Resurrection is not only proof that Christ lives; it is a reminder for believers to stop living for this world and start living for eternity.

Since we are risen with Christ, let’s live like we are heaven-bound and Christ is Lord.

Happy Resurrection Day!

- Pastor Vaughn

01/22/2026

There is no new thing under the sun - Solomon (Ecc 1:9)

Watching the replay of this past weekend’s events discourages the sanity of anyone with an ounce of decency. Seeing the protesters and “allegedly paid activists” storm a Baptist church in Minneapolis on the Lord’s Day to disrupt the gathering was shocking but, honestly, not surprising.

From Jesus’ arrival, He has been the target of ridicule and disdain. Don’t forget what Herod attempted to do after the visit of the Wise Men.

The next group who protested Jesus were the Sadducees and Pharisees. They wanted to maintain their prominence, power, and control. They used man-made rules to justify behavior and maintain political positions. Since they were threatened by Christ’s impact, they attempted to remove Jesus from the board. However, they failed to realize His deity; and through Christ’s death by crucifixion and resurrection the third day—His influence only increased.

However, as Christianity spread, their hatred at being unseated grew. This hatred led to false accusations, defamation, physical violence, and even murder of those who stood up and proclaimed the message of repentance and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The second group appeared in Rome as followers of the Way (Jesus) grew and the gospel spread. Rome had an emperor-worship culture and financial pagan enterprise that was threatened by the truth of Jesus. The opposition led to revolts, unlawful protests, and even dragging out Christian leaders to answer for the crime of preaching the gospel of Jesus.

We also find that both groups attempted to use the ruling class and political powers to their advantage. Some local governors were persuaded and used their power to inflict unjust violence, intimidation, and death. Other local leaders dismissed the attempts. They rightly addressed the accusations as baseless and outside their jurisdiction. In one case, they noted that Christian behavior was not criminal and did not lead to lawlessness.

But why the hate then and today?

Because Jesus changes hearts and lives for the better and poses a challenge to ungodly societies, ideologies, and institutions. Through Christ we see there is no one greater than God. That only He is to be reverenced and worshipped. That man is sinful, fallen, corrupt, and in need of salvation and forgiveness. That there is a right way to live and a wrong way to live. That all life is valuable and should be protected. That we are created male and female with distinct roles and responsibilities for complementary and societal function within the family. That we are personally responsible for every thought, word, and action. That we will all stand before God individually and give an account.

And this flies in the face of some in our modern day who preach and believe that:

• Truth is relative and completely up to you
• Speech is violence when it contradicts certain opinions
• Government is good, as long as it agrees with a certain ideology
• Policies are bad simply because the other side holds to them (even though everyone held the same views on many issues less than 15 years ago)
• Opinions only matter based on the speaker’s level of hierarchical oppression
• Personal responsibility should be replaced with collective warmth (another way to say devastation and destruction)
• New words are needed to label and demonize voices of reason instead of debating the issues and ideas (there are too many “-isms” and “-ists” to list)

And this list goes on, but you see, my friend, when the godless begin to lose power and prominence, they resort to the same tactics:

Violence, false accusations, defamation, intimidation, and murder. (We do remember Charlie Kirk, correct?)

So what do we do?

I like the pattern presented in the New Testament. First, if you are not born again: repent and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Once you are made new, do right by God and your neighbor. If you don’t know what that is, read your Bible and commit to a Bible-believing local church.

Lastly, do not forget that Christians should understand their rights and privileges as citizens. When the need arises, exercise those rights. Our first-century brothers did the same.

Here in the USA, we have a Constitution and Bill of Rights. Many states also have a constitution and bill of rights. Know your rights and defend them, because once they are lost, it’s a hard fight to restore them.

Remember, there truly is nothing new under the sun.

Pastor Vaughn

(Photo: from a Facebook Live by activist group Black Lives Matter Minnesota)

01/19/2026

“…And I hope I am still qualified for entry.”

No one is qualified. That’s the point. It’s the unfortunate rub for some.

The reality is we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not. There is none righteous, no, not one. We have offended in one point and are now guilty of breaking the entirety of God’s law. All liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

No one is exempt. Because of our sin we are at enmity with a holy, holy, holy God. We literally stand condemned because of our unbelief, meaning the wrath of God abides on us even now.

We cannot redeem ourselves. Silver, gold, vain religious piety, and zealous tradition are not enough—they will never be enough. Wasting time attempting to ignore the reality of guilt, shame, and pending judgment doesn’t work either. The pursuits of pleasure, wealth, possessions, and bliss eventually fade. And you’re left staring at an end. We all face death, and the enemy stares back mockingly, calling your name.

This is why we all need mercy. But why should it be given? Because we simply ask? Again, the self-absorbed entitlement of the thought shows how fallen we are.

But in order to bridge the gap, a way was made. In order to provide a path to forgiveness, grace was poured out. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. The Lord Jesus Christ—God with us, the virgin-born Son of God—stepped into our existence for one singular purpose: to give His life a ransom for many, to seek and to save those of us who are lost. And whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it, but that the world through Him might be saved.

And Jesus is the gift. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. If you are willing to repent and believe the gospel—the good news that Jesus died, was buried, and on the third day rose from the grave victorious over sin, death, and hell—if you are willing to confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

What are you waiting for? You do not have to wonder. If you have Jesus, you have life. If you do not have Jesus, you do not have life. You may have accomplishments, activity, memories, and things, but what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?

My friend, I invite you to take the water of life—the Lord Jesus Christ—freely.

01/08/2026

A Woman Is No Longer Living Because of an ICE Agent?!

Even though many will deny that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving Creator, our reactions prove the intrinsic value and worth of a person.

What’s worse is that I cannot get over the fact that this entire scenario had a buildup that could have been avoided.

Our federal government during the last administration abandoned its responsibility to oversee and control immigration. The current administration has more than proven that immigration can be controlled.

Leftist state governments abdicated their responsibility to ensure that criminal activity within their jurisdictions was swiftly and effectively stopped. Many leftist states have refused to enforce immigration law (do “sanctuary cities” or counties ring a bell?) and have subverted it by releasing illegal felons into their communities.

Conservative state governments, by contrast, have shown that apprehension and transfer of felons can be handled in partnership with local law enforcement and within controlled, protected facilities…meaning fewer interactions between ICE and the public.

We had a national election that resulted in both popular and electoral college votes giving our current federal government new mandates. One of those mandates was to fix the immigration problem and deport criminal illegal aliens.

Our elected federal representatives initiated follow-through on campaign promises. Federal law enforcement began lawful operations. Leftist state governments refuse to cooperate with federal entities. Leftist mainstream news outlets demonize fellow citizens serving in federal law enforcement agencies. Citizens fueled by leftist ideology believe the rhetoric that labels ICE agents as “Gestapo” and feel emboldened to take the law into their own hands.

All of this led up to the deadly confrontation between federal law enforcement officers and a left-wing vigilante. In the wake, a woman and mother cannot learn from the mistake, and families and communities are impacted and raw with emotion.

On one hand, there is outrage and anger over the tragedy. In the words of leftist Saul Alinsky: “A threat or crisis becomes almost a precondition to communication,” rephrased by Winston Churchill and Rahm Emanuel as “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” And as if on command, our left-wing news media and leftist talking heads are fueling the flames of additional resentment and tyrannical narrative spin; with many outraged and angry at the injustice of it all.

May I offer another explanation of what has transpired? Something that many before have come to realize: “Everybody, sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences” (Robert Louis Stevenson). “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions” (Stephen R. Covey). “Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices” (Alfred A. Montapert). The Bible itself declares in Galatians 6:7: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

The sad reality is that she chose to believe the left-wing narrative: that ICE agents are a force of evil. She chose to place herself and her family in the center of disruptive behavior by interfering with ICE operations and having her partner get out of the SUV to record the interactions. She attempted to control the outcome… for what? Video footage, justice, money, resistance, justice? She then chose not to yield to federal law enforcement when confronted, forcing a terrible and irreversible chain of events that has been put on replay for the world to see.

My warning to all: Be careful of what you listen to and what you allow to define reality. Your thoughts lead to actions, and your actions always have consequences. Some consequences are irreversible.

And yes, as a Bible-believing pastor, I can see the tragedy but also the warning.

As we move forward, I will leave you with two thoughts: Be careful with your life…there are no redos and, most importantly, “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). That day will come for us all… don’t expedite the arrival… but understand this is why Jesus came.

12/16/2025

If it’s been a while, dear friend, I invite you to return to Revelation 22 today.

Let these glorious closing words of Scripture speak anew to your heart: the pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb… the tree of life bearing twelve manner of fruits… and those precious promises where His servants shall see His face, and reign for ever and ever.

Come, linger in the promise of eternal hope and restoration. Let the Lord refresh your soul with the certainty of His coming and the beauty of what awaits those who are His!

If you are not born again, the invitation remains open wide:

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” - Revelation 22:17

For those who are faithful, rest in Him!

“Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” - Revelation 22:20

Pastor Vaughn

12/11/2025

You’ve seen the line a thousand times on social media:

“If you need God to be a good person, then you aren’t actually a good person.”

It sounds cute. It feels right.

But let’s be honest:

Who, exactly, gets to define “good”?

If the answer is “me,” then every ra**st, every tyrant, every cartel boss is also a good person…by his own standard.

If the answer is “society” or “the current era,” then whatever the majority (or the loudest mob, or party in power) says is good becomes good, and dissenters can be jailed, canceled, or killed.

That is not a hypothetical. It is the bloodiest story of the last century.

Regimes that officially declared there is no transcendent moral law murdered over 100 million of their own citizens in peacetime:

• Mao Zedong ~50–70 million
• Joseph Stalin ~30–40 million
• Adolf Hi**er ~20 million
• Pol Pot, Hideki Tojo, Lenin, Kim Il-sung and others added tens of millions more.

Every one of them insisted that morality was whatever served the State, the Race, or the Revolution. There was no appeal above the Leader.

Someone will say, “Those were monsters. Normal secular people don’t do that.”

True. But the downward cycle is identical: when nothing is morally forbidden in principle, everything is permitted in practice as soon as someone gains enough control.

Even the gentle, prosperous secular nations of Sweden, Denmark, and Canada are coasting on 1,500 years of Christian moral capital. The ideas that every person has intrinsic value, that ultimate power corrupts ultimately, that forgiveness is better than vengeance, that the innocent must be protected; those did not arise from atheism. They are rooted in the Bible. And that capital is almost gone.

Church attendance in those countries is in the single digits, yet crime, loneliness, and euthanasia rates are quietly climbing. The engine has been removed; they’re just waiting for the momentum to run out.

Friedrich Nietzsche, an atheist, saw it coming when he wrote:

“When one gives up the Christian faith, one pulls the right to Christian morality out from under one’s feet… Christianity is a system, a whole view of things thought out together. By breaking one main concept out of it, the faith in God, one breaks the whole.”

He thought the death of God would birth a race of supirior men. Instead it birthed gulags and gas chambers.

So here is the question every honest person has to face:

Can you name one moral principle that is genuinely binding on all people at all times that does not ultimately trace back to the claim that human beings are made in the image of a thrice holy God?

Most attempts collapse quickly:

• “Do no harm” - Who defines harm? Hi**er thought he was healing the gene pool.

• “Maximize happiness” - Should we hook everyone to he**in drips?

• “Consent” - Children can’t consent, but they still have rights. Where do those rights come from?

Only the Christian answer has ever worked at scale and lasted: there is a Law that is not voted on, not evolved, not updated by the Supreme Court. It stands above every human authority, and one day every human authority will answer to it.

That is why John Adams said:

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

We are testing his warning in real time. When we erase the Ten Commandments from courthouse and school walls but celebrate the new sacraments of abortion-on-demand, promiscuous pride, and childhood transition, we are not progressing. We are regressing to the brutality Genesis describes just before the flood:

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually…The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” (Genesis 6:5, 11)

Jesus looked at a religious man who called Him “Good Master” and replied:

“Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18)

He was not denying His deity; He was exposing our sinfulness. We are not good. Left to ourselves we are selfish, deceitful, and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). That is why we need a standard outside of us; a Savior who kept the Law we broke and who offers us His perfect, sinless record in exchange for our fallen one.

If you have never been born again by trusting in Jesus Christ alone, today is the day. You do not need to clean yourself up first; you need to admit you cannot. Repent and believe.

If you are already a follower of Jesus, hear this:

Now is not the time to retreat.

Find a Bible-believing local church, or plant one.

Get discipled and disciple others.

Serve, give, speak, vote, adopt, foster, run for school board or other local office.

Love and serve your family and neighbors in ways that make atheism boring and Christ irresistible.

“Let us not grow weary of well doing… Occupy till He comes.”

Because history is clear: societies that forget the God of the Bible do not become more free. They become more cruel, more broken, and, in the end, more dead.

Let’s not let ours be next.

Pastor Vaughn

10/07/2025

October 7 is a day that will live in infamy for the people of Israel. On this date, Christians should be reminded that God is not finished with Israel.

Romans 11:25
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

From Scripture, we know God’s promises are as certain as the day they are given (Num 23:19, 1 Sam 15:29, Mal 3:6, Luke 21:33, Titus 1:2, Heb 6:18, James 1:17). These verses, supported by history, demonstrate that immutability is one of the characteristics of our Heavenly Father.

When it comes to Israel’s borders and land, all of it belongs to Israel. According to Genesis 15:18 and Joshua 1:4, the land God gave to Israel includes everything from the Nile River in Egypt to Lebanon (south to north) and from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River (west to east). This means Israel currently possesses only a fraction of the land God promised; the rest of their inheritance awaits the return of Jesus Christ.

The current map imposed on the nation of Israel is tantamount to national su***de. Decades of evidence show that a two-state solution is unworkable. One side explicitly calls for the annihilation of the other in its written charters, making opposition, death, and destruction part of its politically stated objectives.

Political leaders across the globe and pundits’ voices on the internet may cause confusion, but do not mistake where the God of all creation stands:

Zechariah 2:8
“For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”

So, Christians, be careful where you stand concerning Israel.

Genesis 12:2-3
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

God has given His word that the nation of Israel will never cease as long as the sun shines by day and the moon and stars shine by night (Jer 31:35–37).

Let us pray for the peace of Israel and encourage our elected representatives to do what is right.

09/22/2025

Pastor Rob McCoy,

You had the express honor and privilege to be entrusted by Charlie and Erika to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ today at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Our family was driving home from church, cheering you on.

Thank you for sharing that Jesus is the King of Glory, the Prince of Peace, the Savior of the World, the Living God, the God of all Grace and Mercy, the Total Embodiment of Love, the Total Embodiment of Truth.

Thank you for sharing that Jesus left Heaven for the humiliation of the cross and that Jesus was fully tempted yet without sin, but that all men have sinned and there is none righteous.

Thank you for sharing there is no effort that will bring us back into the presence of a righteous God and that the wages of sin is death.

Thank you for sharing that Jesus came to this earth, was tempted in all ways yet without sin, was crucified upon a cross, His blood was poured out because blood must be shed for the remission of sins, and that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for all the world’s sins but only efficient for those who will receive Him as their Savior. That Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. That Jesus loves you and that He wants to save you. That He wants to give you a new life. That Jesus wants to cover the multitude of your sins by the blood He shed upon the cross.

Thank you for sharing that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Thank you for sharing that the source of Liberty is Jesus.

My brother, when it came time to invite the lost to salvation, you asked if there are any that would like to accept Jesus as their Savior to stand to receive the Lord. They stood, and we all waited for the call to be given.

The call for them to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus. You had literally preached the Truth straight and true. But then, in that critical moment, all you said was “amen” and gave everyone who simply stood up in a stadium a false belief that by simply standing they were then saved.

I thank God for Frank Turek, Tucker Carlson, the contemporary Christian singer, and even members of the current Administration for sharing the need to repent, believe, and personally trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.

Bring it home, Frank Turek.

- Pastor Vaughn

09/12/2025

The mainstream media’s relentless repetition of these phrases about Charlie Kirk—“his rhetoric was hateful,” “his words were bigoted,” “his words were divisive and provocative”—serves to trivialize his death or, worse, to implicitly rationalize the killer’s motives.

Here is a list of his words by topic.

On Jesus:
“It’s all about Jesus.”
“I’m nothing without Jesus.”
“The resurrection of Jesus is a fact of history. It really happened. Jesus rose from the dead.”
“Jesus defeated death so you can live.”

On Free Speech:
“The answer to bad speech is more speech, not censorship. We have to trust people to think for themselves.”

On The Bible:
“The Bible is not up to date. It’s ahead of time.”
“Reading the Bible is good for the soul.”
“The Bible says very clearly… to ‘Occupy until I come.’”

On the Role of Faith in Politics:
“The church must be the conscience of the nation, and we need to reclaim the seven mountains of cultural influence: government, media, education, business, arts, entertainment, family, and religion.”

On Individual Potential:
“Every single person has the ability to achieve greatness if they’re willing to work hard and take responsibility for their own path.”

On Religion’s Role in Society:
“Faith is the foundation of a moral society. Without it, we lose the compass that guides us through cultural and political chaos.”

On Education:
“We need to teach young people how to think, not what to think. Critical thinking is the foundation of a free society.”

On Abortion:
“Abortion is a sacrament of the left, a ritual sacrifice to their god of self. It’s not about choice; it’s about erasing the image of God in the most vulnerable. We must choose life, every time.”

On Pro-Life:
“Choosing life is not just a policy position; it’s a declaration of war against a culture that worships death. The Bible says, ‘I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live’. That’s our mandate.”

On American Values:
“America is the greatest country in the world because it was founded on the idea that individuals, not governments, hold the power.”

On Engaging Others:
“If you want to change someone’s mind, you have to listen to them first. Real conversations start with understanding.”

On Secularism:
“I was wrong about secularism. A nation without faith cannot sustain itself. We need God’s truth to anchor our laws and culture.”

On Youth:
“Young people are the future. We need to give them the tools to lead, not just follow.”

On Transgenderism:
“Transgenderism is a mental disorder. It’s not about self-expression; it’s about denying the reality of who you are and demanding everyone else play along with the delusion.”

On Free Markets:
“Capitalism isn’t perfect, but it’s the best system we have for lifting people up and rewarding innovation.”

On Socialism:
“The case for socialism is always made based on an ideal and a promise. The ideal is that humans can lovingly coexist in a sharing and peaceful way. The promise is that this time, unlike failed attempts elsewhere, socialism will be implemented properly, and no citizen will suffer as a result.”

On Personal Responsibility:
“Your life is the sum of your choices. Don’t blame others for where you are—take control and make a difference.”

On Family:
“Get married and have children. It’s not only good and godly and will bring you joy and legacy, but it’s a simple act of defiance against the oligarchs and the tyrants who would rather you die bitter, alone, and with nothing but robots by your side as you enter eternity.”

On Liberty:
“We can disagree on policy, but we should all agree that America’s strength comes from our shared commitment to liberty.”

On Purpose:
“If the most important thing for you is just feeling good, you’re going end up miserable. But if the most important thing is DOING good, you will end up purposeful. And purpose leads to joy.”

On America:
“I believe in the American spirit. No matter how tough things get, we always find a way to come back stronger.”

On Salvation:
The free gift of salvation is the most powerful force in the universe. It’s not something you earn; it’s something you accept through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for your sins and rose again. Say ‘Here I am, send me,’ and let Him transform your life.

Many of us (including myself) are of the same persuasion, which is why this tragedy strikes at the heart and why the continued media narrative is unacceptably abhorrent.

Now more then ever we must speak Biblical Truth and live upholding our principles unashamedly. Pray for the Kirk Family and keep your hand to the plow.

Pastor Vaughn