About Us – Winslow Baptist Church

Our purpose is to facilitate an atmosphere of worship and
fellowship for the entire family.

Our Story

Winslow Baptist Church was established in 1973. Initially beginning as a Bible study in a basement, then moving into an area elementary school before building on the existing ministry site, WBC began as so many moves of God. In the past 50 years, God has done many great things and the future looks even more promising! The past decades have feature so many faithful families, each contributing to WBC in their own way as God used them to found, build, and grow the gospel ministry throughout Winslow Township. Some 50 years after her birth, WBC is still living up to the following statement which printed on the program of her 3rd Anniversary (March 23, 1976):

“Winslow Baptist Church has come into existence because it was God’s decree. Without Him this church would not be. Therefore, this church is His – He is the source and sustainer. God has brought us together; He deserves the praise…”

Our Mission

Winslow Baptist Church exists to bring all peoples to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and then help them to fully live out His purpose and plan for their life.

Our Vision

To grow into God’s grace and knowledge in vibrant, loving, biblical community. We think of Winslow Baptist as being a singular community of faith composed of various groups: Our Large Group or Sunday Morning Worship Service (where we work together to love one another and our community through initiatives), our Small Groups (where we learn with one another through study, fellowship, prayer, and service), our Close Groups or discipleship relationships (where we live out our faith with unique focus), and finally our Action Groups or ministries (where we launch out into God’s plans by using our spiritual gifts to bless others).

Reverend Dr. Sean Wise

pastor of Winslow Baptist

Reverend Dr. Sean Wise received the Lord Jesus Christ in September of 1987, under the leadership of Bishop Keith W. Reed Sr. of Sharon Baptist Church. He affirms Paul’s words, “for the message of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). He soon began to passionately pursue Christ, and the call to ministry. He received training at the Sharon Baptist Church, leading such ministries as God’s Mighty Men, Youth for Truth, and Evangelism.

On November 13, 1994, Dr. Sean Wise was licensed to preach at the Sharon Baptist Church. He was ordained on September 20, 1998, under the leadership of Bishop Keith W. Reed, of the Sharon Baptist Church.

In 1994, Dr. Sean Wise became the Pastor of Youth and Family Services at the Sharon Baptist Church, overseeing various ministries designed to equip and empower youth, parents, and families.

In September of 1998, Dr. Sean Wise was called to Pastor The Calvary Baptist Church of North-Central Philadelphia. He led the church for eight years, expanding ministry and outreach. The church launched an initiative called Summerfest Campaign, an outdoor crusade designed to reach the North Central Philadelphia community, provide resources, and employment opportunities. He also served on the leadership board for Resources For Better Families, an organization designed to create resources and training for better family life in the church and the community.

In 2008, Dr. Sean Wise served under the leadership of Dr. Wayne E. Croft, Senior Pastor of The Church of the Redeemer Baptist Church, of South Philadelphia. He served as an associate minister, providing support, ministry, and preaching assignments, for Dr. Wayne Croft, as requested.

From September 2021 to February 2022, Dr. Wise served as Interim Pastor of the Catalyst Church in southwest Philadelphia. He served, providing support to an urban ministry, transitioning the congregation through the pandemic, and assisting in post pandemic life, reorienting the church to mission and ministry.

Dr. Sean Wise has been an associate Pastor at Sharon Baptist church. He has also supported churches that are in transition, providing preaching, bible study teaching, and leadership development.

Reverend Dr. Sean Wise has received extensive formal training. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Leadership from Lancaster Bible College (Center for Urban Theological Studies). He completed counseling training from Christian Resources and Development (CRD), where he became certified in counseling. He also completed pastoral training in the class, Pastoring with a Purpose (CRD). He received a Master’s in divinity, from Missio Theological Seminary. In addition, Reverend Dr. Sean Wise, received the Doctor in Ministry from Missio Theological Seminary, in June, 2016. He has also received training at various national conferences, and was a speaker at a national conference called, Men of Valor (DaySpring Ministries).

Rev. Dr. Sean Wise is married to Tolu Sosanya-Wise, and he is the father of two beautiful daughters, Sophia and Saige Wise.

Our Perspective

We live in an increasingly difficult world. Families are being torn apart, and many people face very uncertain futures. There is, however, one source of strength and help that never changes—the Holy Bible. The Bible has always offered the only real, workable solutions to human needs; because its Author understands us better than we ourselves. It is our privilege at Winslow Baptist Church to proclaim that Jesus Christ offers to all the gift of eternal life. This is the solution to our greatest need. Once our relationship with God has been repaired, then the Bible gives practical instructions on how to have a joyful, meaningful, fulfilling life. This is our message for a troubled world. It is for these reasons that Winslow Baptist has intentioned to be a family-center church. All that we do has family in mind. Also, our services usually provide childcare and a child ministry component.

Our Beliefs

1. The Holy Scriptures

We believe that the Scriptures, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, are the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original writings, able to be understood sufficiently by all, and thus act as the final authority in all matters of faith and life. II Tim.3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Psalm 119:18

2. The Triune God

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:1; I Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11; Acts 5:3-4

3. The Deity of Jesus Christ

We believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, and that He is true God and man. He died on the cross for our sins. He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father and is now our High Priest and Advocate. Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:4; I Corinthians 15:3-8; Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 12:2; Romans 8:34

4. The Nature of Man

We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is now therefore totally depraved. Only through regeneration by the work of the Holy Spirit can man’s salvation and spiritual life be obtained. Genesis 1:26; Romans 3:10; Titus 3:5

5. Salvation

We believe that eternal salvation is the free gift of God, entirely apart from man’s works, and is possessed by any and all who have faith in and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9

6. The Ordinances

We believe that baptism is by immersion and the Lord’s Supper is a memorial to His suffering and death on the cross. These are ordinances to be observed by the church in its present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means for man’s salvation. Acts 2:38, 41-42; I Corinthians 11:23-26

7. The Return of Jesus Christ

We believe in the personal, bodily, imminent, and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ and that His second coming inspires believers for dynamic and zealous life and service for Him while waiting for His return. John 14:2-3; Acts 1:10-11; Titus 2:11-14

8. The Resurrection

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, the everlasting blessedness of the saved in heaven, and the everlasting punishment and separation from God of the unsaved in hell. John 11:25-26; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Thessalonians 1:8-10

9. The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit of God empowers believers to serve His Church with a variety of spiritual gifts. Certain of these gifts, involving the miraculous manifestation of healing, prophecy, tongues, and apostleship were intended only for the help and authentication of the Early Church and thus are not normative for today. Thus we believe that God’s Holy Spirit is able to do all the above-mentioned miracles, but that HIs Spirit does not generally use these miracles today in the same way HE did to initially establish and build HIs Church. I Corinthians 12:1-11; 13:8- 10; Romans 12:6-8; I Peter 4:10-11

10. Women’s Vital Role in God’s Church

We believe women occupy a critically important role in the Church. We affirm both that the Scriptures clearly teach the principle of male headship and that male headship is functional and not qualitative in nature (i.e. males have a different role than women but are not superior to women). The genders were made to complement one another and both are brought to salvation in the same manner but not with the same roles. It is normative for qualified males only to hold the office of Pastor at WBC. God intends every man to be the spiritual head of his home. These roles will not be applicable in the new creation. Genesis 2:18; I Corinthians 11:3; I Timothy 3:11; 2:9-15; Galatians 3:28; I Corinthians 11:3

Our purpose is to facilitate an atmosphere of worship and fellowship for the entire family.