Pastor Travis Glatter
Greetings!
Let me introduce myself! My name is Travis and I have been pastor at the First Baptist Church in South Berwick since August of 2003. My wife, Mari, and I have been married 16 years. We have three children: Ella, Timothy, Sarah.
Background
I grew up in Cumberland, Maine. I attended church regularly and enjoyed the experience, but did not become a believer in Jesus Christ until college, when I began attending a freshman Bible study through the ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. As I pursued a B.S., then M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Maine, I also I enjoyed serving in a variety of student leadership positions with InterVarsity. During this period I experienced the joys of ministering to others and grew in my understanding of God, his love, and how he desires all of his followers to know him, serve him, and share him.
Many other things happened while at the University of Maine. I began attending a little church in Levant (now Harvest Chapel), and also met my wife, Mari. Though I was baptized at the age of 14, I knew that I was not a believer in Jesus Christ at the time. When asked by my pastor, I decided to be baptized again to show my commitment to my Lord, Jesus Christ.
Mari and I left for Laurel, Maryland in 1996 so that I could begin my engineering career with the Westvaco Corporation (now Mead-Westvaco). I served as a research engineer at this paper company for three years. We also found great joy from serving at Faith Baptist Church in Laurel. Though I knew that I would always be very involved with church and Christian ministry, I had not seriously considered professional ministry. Ella and Timothy were both born in Maryland.
In early 1999, I shared with Mari that I felt we should consider full-time professional ministry. She informed me that she had been praying about this for the previous six months! In November of 1999 we left to head back to Maine to live for eight months with my parents (thanks mom and dad!) until I began my studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Though we were leaving a good friends, a wonderful job that I loved, and a church that cared for us, we were confident in our career change.
The three years in seminary were wonderful, difficult, and rewarding. We found the environment terrific for raising our (now three) children. We made many friends. Mari and I continued to serve in church (first Wilmington Baptist Fellowship, then the First Baptist Church of Wilmington). By the end of three years we were itching to get out of this excellent but isolated environment, and through a string of God-directed events found ourselves introduced to the people at the First Baptist Church of South Berwick.
Ministry at First Baptist Church of South Berwick
During the past six years we have seen a tremendous amount of God-directed growth here in the First Baptist Church of South Berwick. Prior to my coming the congregation had decided to "do whatever it takes" to bring renewal to our church. It is clear that the changes that have taken place have been under God's direction and power. We do have a 'new' pastor and a willing congregation, but it has been God's grace that together we have seen our congregation grow (to about 70 on a typical Sunday morning). And we are thankful that new new families are coming to our church, many of whom are attending church for the first time (or the first time in a long time).
We are glad for increased church attendance, but the important thing is that because of Jesus Christ, we are coming to know and trust God more and more. Our mission is "Together, helping people know live and share the Good News." This takes place in our church but also in each of our homes, neighborhoods, schools, and work places.
Personal Statement of Belief
I appreciate Inter-Varsity's statement of belief. I can fully affirm this statement.
We believe in:
The only true God, the almighty Creator of all things,
existing eternally in three persons—
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—full of love and glory.
The unique divine inspiration,
entire trustworthiness
and
authority of the Bible.
The value and dignity of all people:
created in God's image to live in love and holiness,
but alienated from God and each other because of our sin and guilt,
and
justly subject to God’s wrath.
Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine,
who lived as a perfect example,
who assumed the judgment due sinners by dying in our place,
and
who was bodily raised from the dead and ascended as Savior and Lord.
Justification by God's grace to all who repent
and
put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
The indwelling presence and transforming power of the Holy Spirit,
who
gives to all believers a new life and a new calling to obedient
service.
The unity of all believers in Jesus Christ,
manifest in worshiping and witnessing churches
making
disciples throughout the world.
The victorious reign and future personal return of Jesus Christ,
who will judge all people with justice and mercy,
giving over the unrepentant to eternal condemnation
but
receiving the redeemed into eternal life.
To God be glory forever.