Who we Are
Who we Are
David Acton – Lead Pastor
Pastor David was born and raised in Miami, Florida. His wife Chanelle was born on St Croix but spent many years on St Thomas. They met at the University of Florida and earned their Masters of Divinity degrees at Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco. David recently completed a Doctor of Ministry degree focused on Missional Ministry. Together with their four children, they have traveled the world serving as church planters in the Caribbean, Germany, and Spain. They have spent the last 5 years pastoring a church in Cape Coral, Florida. They enjoy all things water-related and are lifelong boaters.
Joel Temple – Pastoral Team
Joel and Kristen, originally from the U.S., have spent over 20 years living abroad as church planters in Cameroon, Botswana, and France. In 2023, they made Sint Maarten their new home and have a heart to establish life-giving churches throughout the French and English-speaking islands of the Caribbean. Along with their three children (Jeremiah, Lilliana, and Isabella), they are thrilled to be part of Island Church! As a family, they love to travel, experience new cultures, and speak French whenever the opportunity arises!
David Acton – Lead Pastor
Pastor David was born and raised in Miami, Florida. His wife Chanelle was born on St Croix but spent many years on St Thomas. They met at the University of Florida and earned their Masters of Divinity degrees at Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco. David recently completed a Doctor of Ministry degree focused on Missional Ministry. Together with their four children, they have traveled the world serving as church planters in the Caribbean, Germany, and Spain. They have spent the last 5 years pastoring a church in Cape Coral, Florida. They enjoy all things water-related and are lifelong boaters.
Joel Temple – Pastoral Team
Joel and Kristen, originally from the U.S., have spent over 20 years living abroad as church planters in Cameroon, Botswana, and France. In 2023, they made Sint Maarten their new home and have a heart to establish life-giving churches throughout the French and English-speaking islands of the Caribbean. Along with their three children (Jeremiah, Lilliana, and Isabella), they are thrilled to be part of Island Church! As a family, they love to travel, experience new cultures, and speak French whenever the opportunity arises!
Our Mission
Becoming fully engaged followers of Jesus Christ by
Belonging together, Believing in Christ alone and
Blessing our world.
Our Vision Statement
Moving the island’s international community from
“friends of God” to fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Our Mission
Becoming fully engaged followers of Jesus Christ by
Belonging together, Believing in Christ alone and
Blessing our world.
Our Vision Statement
Moving the island’s international community from
“friends of God” to fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
What we Believe
The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
The Father
God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of trust, and above all, Holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good. He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
The Son
Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have life.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and empowers us to become more like Christ.
The Trinity
God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as One in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
Eternity
Humans were created to exist forever. We will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
Humans
We are made in the image of God. We were created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, we cannot attain a right relationship with God through our own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Salvation
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
The Church
The Church is a local community of believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
What We Believe
The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
The Father
God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of trust, and above all, Holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good. He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
The Son
Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have life.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and empowers us to become more like Christ.
The Trinity
God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as One in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
Eternity
Humans were created to exist forever. We will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
Humans
We are made in the image of God. We were created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, we cannot attain a right relationship with God through our own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Salvation
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
The Church
The Church is a local community of believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.