Pastor Caleb Forbes
Caleb Forbes is Pastor at Harmony Baptist Church, Newland North Carolina. He is a lifelong resident of Spruce Pine North Carolina. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 2015 and has been married to his lovely wife Autumn since 2023. He loves studying scripture, carving wood, tooling leather, playing guitar and singing, reading western novels, riding four wheelers and doing artwork.
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His favorite verse of Scripture is John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
Pastor Forbes states "Jesus used this verse to speak to my soul in a time where I had no assurance of salvation. I was constantly afraid, and scared that He didn’t want me, but through this verse He revealed His love and kindness to me that because I have come to Him by faith that He will in NO WISE cast me out. He has received me both now and forever, the Father gave me to Jesus."
While he has had many great influences in his spiritual life, Charles Spurgeon has probably helped him the most. Spurgeon’s willingness to openly speak about the struggles he had helped Pastor Forbes to feel as if an old friend who had traveled the same/similar issues was there to encourage him and point him to Christ.
As a Pastor, he takes the command from Jesus to “feed my sheep” very seriously. He believes the primary purpose of the ministry is to ALWAYS point people to Jesus. This is where we will receive the spiritual nourishment that we so desperately need every week. He is firmly convicted by scripture, that the gospel is not just a message that we proclaim to the lost, but the good news that God has given us that we need every week, every day, and every hour. It is the power of God in our lives that continually transforms us.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
On top of this he has a desire to help Gods people understand His word. Not just to hear a sermon, but to fall in love with the word itself, and hopefully give the desire to study it more on their own, see the rich treasures of scripture, find Christ on every page, and have their lives changed by it.
A bit of advice that Pastor Forbes wishes you to read is that it’s all about Jesus. The entirety of everything we need to know can be summed up in that precious name. Cover to cover, the Bible is the unfolding story about the great Savior that God sent to this earth for us, because He has loved us. To focus on Him is the answer to all life’s questions.
Brother Kaden Smith
Brother Kaden Smith is the Associate and Youth Pastor at Harmony Baptist Church. His favorite verses of Scripture have changed throughout his life as he has grown in his faith and understanding of God’s Word. Instead of having just one favorite, there are several verses that God has used at different times in his life to strengthen, encourage, and guide him.
1 John 4:4 (KJV)
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
This was his favorite verse growing up because it reminded him that no matter what he faces in this world, God who lives in him is greater than anything against him. It gave him confidence and strength knowing that victory comes from Him, not from his own ability.
Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV)
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
This verse reminds him that we have direct access to God through prayer. It encourages him to call on Him in every situation, knowing that He hears him and will answer. It also reminds him that God can reveal things and do things in his life far beyond what I could ever see or understand on his own.
Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
This verse reminds him that God is not limited by his expectations. He doesn’t just answer prayers—He goes beyond them. God is able to do far more in his life than I could ever ask or imagine, which strengthens his faith to trust Him fully.
1 John 1:9 (KJV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This verse has helped him greatly when I struggled with sin and doubt. It reminds him that when he confesses his sins, God forgives all of them—not just some, but all. It shows His faithfulness, mercy, and complete forgiveness, and gives peace knowing I am cleansed through Him.
Romans 10:13 (KJV)
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This verse gave him assurance of salvation. It reminds him that salvation is based on God’s promise, not his feelings. If I have truly called on Him and trusted Him, then His Word says I am saved. This verse helped him learn to trust what God says and not live in doubt.
Outside of church, he enjoys his work as an applied engineering professor at Mayland Community College, where he teaches advanced manufacturing and automation. He loves helping students learn practical skills and preparing them for their careers. He also enjoys playing golf during the summer and following sports.
If there is one piece of advice he would share with everyone, it would be to get into the Word of God. Read it, study it, and memorize it. When you know Scripture, you can stand on God’s promises in every situation. His Word gives strength, assurance, and guidance. Even when we fail, God remains faithful. His goal in life and ministry is to encourage others to trust God’s Word, believe His promises, and grow in their relationship with Him.
DR. PHIL MURDOCK (Retired)
Dr. Phil Murdock was the Founding Pastor at Harmony Baptist Church, Newland North Carolina. He received his Doctor of Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary. Masters and Bachelor of Religious Education at Tennessee Temple. Dr. Phil married his high school sweetheart, Theresa Ann Sparks. They have been married fifty years. They have two children and five grandchildren.
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Phil is a decorated military veteran, serving in Vietnam 1969-1970. After his military service he owned and operated a coffee company in Johnson City, Tenn. Dr. Phil has been preaching for over thirty-five years, pastoring churches in North Carolina and Florida. He served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Baptist State Convention.
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He is an avid sports fan and his favorite bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct they paths."