About John Chester

John serves the saints of Piedmont Bible Church, a Grace Advance church plant in Haymarket Virginia, as their shepherd, a position he has held since 2012 and hopes to serve in the rest of his life. Prior to being called to ministry John worked as a lacrosse coach, a pizza maker, a writer, a marketing executive, and just about everything in between. John is a graduate of The Master’s Seminary and The Grace Advance Academy. He hails from The City of Champions, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and is unbelievably blessed to be married to his wife Cassandra.

Josh Harris & Sola Homeschoola

Posted on August 21, 2019 by John Chester

Apostacy is never a light matter and is always heartbreaking. When we hear of anyone walking away from the faith the appropriate reaction is always sorrow. It is always heartbreaking when someone who has professed faith in and reliance on God’s grace suddenly says God can keep His grace, because I have no need of it. And it is no less or more heartbreaking based on a person’s level of notoriety.

Recently a relatively well known, in conservative Christian circles, person publicly announced his apostacy. I’m speaking of course of Josh Harris. And since he so publicly (and strategically) announced his apostacy there has been much public speculation about what led to his apostacy.… Continue reading

Called To Ministry?

Posted on August 7, 2019 by John Chester

One of the oddest questions I get asked is how I knew I was called to ministry. I say it is odd because it assumes some kind of mystical experience by which I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was set apart by God to minister, in a vocational sense, to His people. Simply put, there is nothing in Scripture that indicates that is the way God tells people to pursue vocational ministry.

Now some do have some kind of experience where they suddenly have an overwhelming feeling that they should pursue vocational ministry. But, as in all things, feelings are never to be regarded as authoritative or even necessarily true.… Continue reading

Book Recommendation: A Book of Comfort For Those In Sickness

Posted on July 10, 2019 by John Chester

I am unapologetically a book guy, I always have been. For me books were a refuge and a comfort during a childhood that although happy wasn’t always peaches and cream. As a young adult, a city kid who moved to the mountain West, I learned a lot of the skills of that turned me into a competent outdoorsman from reading and as a new Christian in my late 20’s who had no Christian friends or relatives, along with being discipled by faithful men, I learned a lot about how to live as a Christian by reading. As I began pastoral ministry, while also leaning on mentors, I also read, especially collections of letters, to build my skill set as a shepherd.… Continue reading

My Wife Doesn’t Like Bacon!

Posted on June 26, 2019 by John Chester

It is true, my wife doesn’t like bacon (I know it is pretty shocking). She doesn’t like green (lime?) dots either. Or Jazz. Or Mel Brooks movies. Or wool socks. All things I love. But that in no way make her less than me, just different than me.

Usually I do the cooking at home. And the shopping. She picks out the furniture and the décor. That doesn’t make me less than my wife, I just do different things in the home.

On Sunday at church, I preach and she prays for me while I preach and sometimes mans the soundboard. That in no way makes me better than her, it just means that we have different roles in the church.… Continue reading

Reprise: Charismatic Resources?

Posted on June 12, 2019 by John Chester

I honestly had something else planned for today, but this post speaks directly to a question I was asked on Sunday and that I have answered several times in recent months. And so I think it is worth revisiting.

We all need to be very cautious about who we allow to teach our families, and this extends not just to where you attend church, but also to what books you read (and allow your family to read) and what religious broadcasts you listen to and watch. But what about charismatic authors and pastors, are they all bad? Or can charismatic resources be helpful and edifying?… Continue reading

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Author Archives: John Chester