FAQs

Question

How did you meet?

Answer

God’s ways are higher than ours, and while we may not always understand what He’s doing, we can trust that He is always working behind the scenes. Our job is to trust and obey. On May 14, 2023, God called Josh to preach, and he surrendered to that call on July 5, 2023, at Calvary Baptist Church in Dundalk, Maryland. Soon after, he began traveling with his pastor, Stacey Shiflett, attending revivals, conferences, and mission trips. In the fall of 2023, during a youth revival in Kentucky, Josh and Pastor Shiflett preached together and spent time with Missionary Spencer Smith. It was there that Josh met the Heard family, who were close friends of the Smiths and shared similar beliefs. Through online posts and shared convictions, Josh became friends with Warren Heard. Their families connected deeply and quickly formed a strong bond. This growing friendship led to the Heards visiting Maryland, where the two families felt an immediate and joyful connection. During this visit, Josh noticed Lindsey Heard for the first time. Though nothing was planned, he found himself drawn to her character and personality. After prayer and reflection, he asked Brother Heard for permission to get to know Lindsey better. Josh and Lindsey began talking, not just as friends, but with the intention of seeking God’s will for a deeper relationship. Their conversations—centered around faith, life, ministry, and values—quickly revealed how aligned they were. The same truths they discussed were echoed in their churches, colleges, and personal devotions. As their bond deepened, they addressed important topics early on—convictions, family, ministry, and more—ensuring their relationship stayed grounded in truth and led by the Lord. Visits to each other followed, love grew, and through it all, it was clear: God was at the center of their story.

Question

Is there a benefit to avoiding physical touch in your relationship?

Answer

Lindsey and I have both decided to refrain from physical touch in our relationship in order to build a firm foundation that is based on the Word of God and biblical principles rather than emotion and senses. Some questions to consider are: How does it appear? What kind of message are we sending to others and those that are viewing the Lord bless our relationship? Physical touch and affection can easily lead to sin and should be preserved for marriage when two shall become one flesh. Instead of putting ourselves in a place of temptation, we choose to flee from it so God can be glorified and the flesh can be crucified. Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 1 Cor 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 1 Co 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. 1 Co 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. Pro 6:32-33 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. [33] A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 1Th 4:3-4 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: [4] That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Pro 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Question

Why do you have a chaperone?

Answer

Accountability is your best friend. We have decided to have a chaperone with us to help keep us accountable to each other and be honoring to the Lord. It is very easy to find yourself in an emotional state of mind where your guard is let down, especially being with one that you love so dearly much. If two people who are in love are alone, it can be a dangerous place of temptation. In order to refrain from putting ourselves in a place of temptation we have someone with us. A chaperone also provides a pure testimony by abstaining from the appearance of evil from outsiders who could think otherwise if they saw us alone together. 1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil. Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Question

Where are you called to ministry?

Answer

God has placed us in Baltimore, MD where Josh surrendered to preach at Calvary Baptist Church on July 5th , 2023. He is currently enrolled in SureWord Baptist College and plans to continue his education. With his newly wedded wife to help him in the ministry, they will serve the Lord faithfully in areas such as: - Soulwinning/door knocking: Going into the highways and hedges to invite people to church and witness to them about the Lord. - The Prayer Tent: A pop up tent is placed in our local area (parks, shopping centers, street corners, etc) providing prayer to the community and those searching for help. This has been a great tool by opening the door to present the gospel. - The Bus Ministry: Our church runs a few routes in the area picking up kids and others that are unable to drive so they can come to the house of God. - The Nursing Home: The Lord burdened Josh to begin a nursing home ministry in our local area to reach folks with the gospel who are nearing the end of their life or are in PT care. Nurses, staff, residents, and their family are encouraged by the church services held here. - RAM Podcast: This year Josh launched a podcast called "Reconciling All Men." This ministry is dedicated to help inspire the next generation to be leaders and rise to the occasion of Biblical Christianity by spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and promoting godliness in a perverse world. - Choirs/Music: We will both be serving in the church's multiple choirs + special music for the services. - Jail Ministry: Currently, this is a men-only ministry where Josh preaches at the Baltimore County Jail to reach the inmates with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. Josh also grew up as a tradesman in the family business and has a journeyman license in HVAC and gas-fitting. He is pursing his master's license this year and will continue in the trade to provide for his family. Please pray God would use us to make an impact for His kingdom and see others come to Christ as well!

Question

Will you have kids? When will you have kids? How many kids will you have?

Answer

This is the million dollar question that many young couples receive immediately after marriage; if not before. The answer is yes - Lord-willing. We pray the Lord would allow us to raise a God-fearing family that will be soldiers for the cross, carrying on the principles and doctrine founded in the Word of God while maintaining a loving and separated home from this corrupt world. Genesis 1:28 (KJV) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Psa 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Psalms 128:3-4 Thy wife [shall be] as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. 4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. Psalms 144:12 (KJV) That our sons [may be] as plants grown up in their youth; [that] our daughters [may be] as corner stones, polished [after] the similitude of a palace: Pro 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.