About Us
Contend Ministries: Strengthening Faith Through Fellowship.
Our Mission and Vision
Our Core Beliefs
Our Doctrinal Foundation
Statement of Faith
We accept the Scriptures as our only authority in matters of faith and practice, and our interpretation of Bible doctrine leads us to believe:
1. The Scriptures of the Old & New Testament as being verbally inspired by God and inerrant and infallible in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority.
2.In one God eternally existing in one essence, yet co-equal persons, the Trinity: Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
3. That Jesus Christ was begotten by God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin Mary.
4. In the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He is the life of the believer and He empowers the preaching and teaching of the Gospel.
5. That mankind was created in the image of God, sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death, but spiritual death, which is separation from God, and that human beings are born with a sinful nature.
6. That the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the basis of His shed blood.
7. In the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, His ascension into heaven, and His present life there as High Priest and Advocate for us.
8. In the blessed hope, which is the personal, visible and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
9. That all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again by the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God and heirs of eternal life.
10. In the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost in hell, and the fellowship of the saved in heaven.
11. In the existence of a personal devil, who is still working in the world to destroy the souls of men, and that he and all his angels and all who do not receive Christ as their personal Savior will eternally perish in the lake of fire.
12. In the Church, whose mission it is to preach the Scriptures to all the world, all of its endeavors being guided by multiple leadership and supported by the wise stewardship of God’s people.
13. That the ordinances of the Church, given by the Lord, are Baptism and the Lord’s Table (Communion).
Copyright Truth For Life. Used with Permission. www.truthforlife.org.
Meet Our Board Members
Brandon Schmidt
President
Brandon Schmidt has served as a children’s ministry director, a deacon, and currently as a pastor at Crosswalk Church in Daytona Beach, FL. Brandon also worked in Christian radio from 2021-2025 as an on-air host with a local Christian radio ministry. Brandon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical & Theological Studies from Liberty University and a Master of Divinity from Christ Theological Seminary. Brandon has been married to his wife Jessica since 2017 and they are the proud parents of two children, Josiah & Jayla. Brandon has a passion for making the Word of God known to people and seeing men and women walking in the truth.
Darrell Harison
Darrell Harrison is shepherding and teaching pastor at Redeemer Bible Church in Gilbert, Arizona. Prior to joining the pastoral staff at Redeemer Bible Church in February 2024, Darrell served as Director of Digital Platforms at Grace to You, the media ministry of the late Dr. John MacArthur. Darrell is cohost of the Just Thinking podcast, a long-form, expository Christian program with more than 7.3 million downloads since it debuted in December 2017. Darrell is a fellow of the Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS) and also holds a graduate certificate in Theology and Ministry from PTS. He is an author, teacher, biblical counselor, and sought-after cultural apologist, particularly on such topics as: critical race theory, social justice, biblical anthropology, and black liberation theology. Darrell and his wife Melissa are originally from Atlanta, Georgia, but currently reside in Queen Creek, Arizona. They have three adult children: Collin, Naomi, and Yasmine.
Christopher Johnson
Christopher Johnson has served as a pastor at Crosswalk Church in Daytona Beach since 2004. He also worked in Christian radio from 2005-2022. He has been married to his wife Stephanie since 2003 and they have three children. Chris studied at Liberty University, The Master’s University, Christ Theological Seminary, and is presently finishing his doctoral degree at The Master’s Seminary.
Brian Giaquinto
Brian Giaquinto has served in various ministry positions throughout his life, including as a Teaching, Pastor at a church in South Florida, church finance & business administrator, Sunday school teacher and community group director. He also manages his own part-time law firm in Ormond Beach. Brian served in the Military Police Corps of the U.S. Army at various locations around the world. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and his Juris Doctorate at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He and his wife, Andrea, have been blessed to serve in ministry together. They have four adult children (two are married) and two grandchildren.
Seth Tweeddale
Our Advisory Board
Our advisory board is composed of dedicated leaders who bring a wealth of experience and wisdom to guide our ministry. Their commitment to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles help us to foster a community of faith, hope, and love.
Phil Johnson
Grace Community ChurchPhil Johnson is Executive Director and radio host of Grace to You, the media ministry of John MacArthur. Phil has been closely associated with John MacArthur since 1981 and edits most of MacArthur’s major books. Phil is also an elder at Grace Community Church, where he pastors the GraceLife fellowship group. Phil’s wife, Darlene, has been his partner in life and ministry since 1978. Together they raised three sons and now delight in being grandparents to seven prodigiously cute children.