WELCOME TO STEDFAST SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
Stedfast School of Ministry is a unique, year-long program tailored to train, instruct, and challenge men who are burdened to serve the Lord in ministry. Whether you are learning as a novice, or have years of service under your belt, Stedfast offers courses and training that will sharpen you in all the foundational areas of Christian ministry in this generation.
Our Mission
At Stedfast School of Ministry, our mission is to cultivate a dynamic community of men who are dedicated servants of our Saviour. We are committed to fostering an environment where students can engage deeply with theological principles and develop practical skills for effective ministry work. Our goal is to prepare individuals to lead with wisdom, compassion, and integrity in diverse ministry settings.
Our History
Stedfast School of Ministry started with a burden from our Founder and President, Pastor Ken Sparks, to build an institution that focused on the practical training of ministry. With the help of Pastor Mike Aylestock, a very accomplished pastor from Northern Virginia, Stedfast became a program dedicated to the practical aspects of ministry, bringing hand-picked pastors together who are the very best in their areas of expertise. This allows Stedfast to train men under experienced pastors who excel in their course.
Our Mascot
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - I Cor 15:18
​
The Mascot for Stedfast School of Ministry is a bison. This animal represents the mindset of "stedfastness" found in our theme verse. This mindset is what we aim to incorporate into ministry training.
In the American West, when a storm approaches, a bison has a unique reaction. Instead of turning away from the storm and running away, a bison will turn to face the storm, snort, and charge into the fray. The bison takes the storm head on.
When storms of life and the world fall upon Christians, it's important to have leaders that will charge into the storm, not shy away from it. This is the element of ministry that all Stedfast students will come to understand as essential for ministry.
Faculty & Staff
Meet the pastors and ministry workers who bring a wealth of experience and expertise in ministry, ensuring that our students receive the highest quality of education and mentorship.
Pastor Ken Sparks
Founder and President
James Williams
Administrator
Thomas Simpson
Resident Assistant
jmwilliams00@outlook.com
540-331-8559
.png)
Pastor Mike Aylestock
Bibliology/ Baptist History/
Homiletics
Pastor Mike Reid, Jr.
Youth Ministries
Pastor Chris Mann
Church Polity and Administration
Pastor Sam Aylestock
Methods of Bible Study
Pastor Chris Cissler
Pastor Jeff Hill
Pastor Ken Sparks
Missions
Baptist History
OT & NT Survey/
Homiletics/
Personal Evangelism
Our Beliefs
The following is what we believe and is the basis for all teaching in our chapel services, programs and courses.
-
THE BIBLE: The Bible is the Word of God. The 66 books of the Old and New Testament are verbally inspired by God, without error. They are the complete revelation of God to man. God has preserved His Word in the King James Bible and we accept it, alone, as our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21)
-
THE GODHEAD: The Godhead exists in three eternal and co-equal Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These are one God, having the same nature, attributes, power, characteristics, and perfection. (Matthew 3:16, 17; 28:19; Acts 7:55; Romans 8:9; II Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 2:9; I John 5:7)
-
GOD THE FATHER: God is a loving, merciful, longsuffering yet holy God. He is eternal, self-existent, infinite, perfect, all knowing, and all powerful. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Provider of all living creatures. (Psalm 99:9; I Timothy 1:17; James 1:17; I John 4:8; Revelation 4:8)
-
GOD THE SON: Jesus Christ is the eternal, only begotten Son of God. He is God in the flesh. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. He bodily resurrected from the dead and He ascended into Heaven. He sits on the right hand of God, where He intercedes on our behalf until His bodily return to earth. (Luke 1:3-55, John 1:1-15, Philippians 2:5-8, Colossians 1:15)
-
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit is the eternal Person of the Godhead who convicts men of sin. He regenerates, indwells, and seals those that place their faith in Jesus Christ. He sets us apart for holy living and God’s use. He instructs in the understanding of Scripture and guides and comforts believers in daily living. He can be quenched or grieved by unconfessed sin. Anyone who does not have the Spirit living in him, is not a child of God. (John 14:16, 17, 26; Romans 8:9-11; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19, 20; Ephesians 1:13, 14; 4:30-32; I Thessalonians 5:19)
-
CREATION: God created the universe in six literal days. The world and everything in it was created good and perfect and ultimately to bring glory to God. Man was created in God’s image. and that creation was declared “very good.” We reject any theories of a big bang, creation gaps, or evolution. (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11)
-
SIN: God communed with man (Adam) until that fellowship was broken by the sin of disobedience. This sin not only brought about physical death but also spiritual death and eternal separation from God. Now all of mankind exists as a fallen race, with an inherited sin nature. (Genesis 3:8-11, 16-19, 5:1-5; Romans 3:10-23, 6:23)
​
-
SALVATION: The Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died as a substitutionary payment for the sins of the whole world. He physically arose from the dead and then ascended into Heaven. Simple faith in His death, burial and resurrection and repentance of our sins is the only way mankind can be saved from sin’s penalty. Those that reject Jesus Christ as personal Saviour are separated from God for eternity in the Lake of Fire. Those who receive Him are adopted into His family and given the gift of eternal life and a home in Heaven. All who receive the free gift of salvation are secure in Christ and guaranteed eternal life through Him. (Luke 24, John 1:12; 10:27-30; Acts 1:9-11, Romans 5:8-10, 8:38, 39; I Corinthians 15:1-19; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5, 6; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 3:18)
-
END TIMES: Jesus Christ, Himself, will come again to catch up believers prior to the seven years of tribulation. At the end of the tribulation period, Jesus will return with His saints to establish His thousand-year reign on earth, called the Millennium. At the end of the Millennium, all unbelievers will appear at the Great White Throne Judgment to be judged for their sins. They will then be cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer eternal punishment and torment. The believers will forever be with the Lord in Heaven. (Matthew 24:29-42; I Corinthians 15:51-57; I Thessalonians 4:14-17; Revelation 20:11-15; 21)