Pastor Tom Nye was saved at the age of twenty out of a lifestyle of sin. After a fearful experience, the Lord led him to stay away from his sinful friends and moved him to read the Bible. At this time in his life, he would read the Bible for many hours at a time. Through the words of Christ and the apostles, he came to understand that God did not view him as highly as he had always viewed himself. He realized that he was a sinner and discovered that God did not accept him on the basis of the good things he did which, in his own mind, would ultimately outweigh the bad. The Scriptures confirmed that he was a sinner, lost. alienated from God, without hope and without God in the world. He learned that no man can be saved by doing good works or by being "religious" or spiritual. He learned that he was guilty, condemned, and under the wrath of God. This led him to despair of himself and confess that he was in critical danger. He was guilty and ashamed, knowing that he was worthy of death and would be held accountable to God for his sins.
This sounds disparaging, but no man can be saved until he comes to the end of himself and recognizes his own insufficiency, Conviction of our sins and consciousness of our inability are the first indications that God is working to save one's soul. God does not, however, leave the sinner in despair, but reveals to him the deliverance offered through Christ. Pastor Nye rejoiced that Jesus died in his place to bear his sins, making forgiveness and acceptance with God a reality for those who trust Him. The Bible teaches clearly that God forgives and saves men only on the basis of their faith in Christ. Pastor Nye was blessed of God with the gifts of repentance and faith, and consequently turned to the Lord and was converted.
His conversion led to a deeper understanding of Scripture and a greater appreciation for the grace and love of God who freely forgives lost sinners. He continued to read his Bible, began attending a local Baptist Church where he found opportunities to serve the Lord, especially engaging with the youth of the church. The pastor of his home church recognized his gifts and allowed him to preach and teach. Using this opportunity as a means, the Lord called him to preach. He answered the call and enrolled in a Christian University to receive training for the ministry.
Four and a half years later, he graduated with a Master of Arts Degrees in Bible with a Greek Minor from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. He married his wife Jacquelyn, and together they have been blessed with four children. He has filled the pulpit in many churches, and served as an evangelist, a youth pastor, interim pastor, counselor, and two positions as senior pastor. He came to First Baptist in January of 2005.
His philosophy of ministry is simple, and is expressed in the Bible by the Apostle Paul in a letter to Timothy, "Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." Pastor Nye's faith is resting in Christ and His word. He truly believes that Christ is the answer to the human condition. He does not accept psychological remedies for spiritual concerns nor modern, humanly-devised methods of ministry. He trusts fully in the sufficiency of Christ to meet the needs of men and women. He believes that the preaching and teaching of God's word is the most important privilege and duty of a New Testament pastor. He agrees with the Reformers in their teaching - Salvation is through Christ alone; truth is revealed in scripture alone; forgiveness is founded in grace alone; conversion is by faith alone; and all things are for the glory of God alone. To God be the glory!
Pastor Tom Nye was saved at the age of twenty out of a lifestyle of sin. After a fearful experience, the Lord led him to stay away from his sinful friends and moved him to read the Bible. At this time in his life, he would read the Bible for many hours at a time. Through the words of Christ and the apostles, he came to understand that God did not view him as highly as he had always viewed himself. He realized that he was a sinner and discovered that God did not accept him on the basis of the good things he did which, in his own mind, would ultimately outweigh the bad. The Scriptures confirmed that he was a sinner, lost. alienated from God, without hope and without God in the world. He learned that no man can be saved by doing good works or by being "religious" or spiritual. He learned that he was guilty, condemned, and under the wrath of God. This led him to despair of himself and confess that he was in critical danger. He was guilty and ashamed, knowing that he was worthy of death and would be held accountable to God for his sins.
