About Us

Derrick and Zelphia Raines are the Lead Pastors of EXCEL Church, located in Jacksonville, Florida. They have enjoyed over 25 years of marriage and have a son and daughter, Marvionte’ and Zahria, who serve alongside them in ministry. Their hearts desire to see people grow in their relationship with God and consistently advance in their personal lives.

Our Beliefs

Is the Bible true?

We believe the Bible in its entirety as we have it today to be the written Word of God. God used men to write it and told them exactly what to write. It is reliable, complete, perfect, backed by God’s authority, and it contains Truth for all subjects natural (including Science and History) and spiritual. (including morality and theology) (II Timothy 3:16; I Corinthians 2:13)

What happens to people after they die?

We believe our bodies here on Earth will die but our spirits will live forever. Believers will live with God in Heaven forever (John 5:24, 3:16) and unbelievers will live separated from God forever. (Mark 9:43-48; II Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:10-15)

What is the Lord’s Supper?

We believe in a ceremony called Communion or the Lord’s Supper. We have this ceremony to remember what Jesus did for us and to recommit to follow Him. (I Corinthians 11:23-32)

Should we live differently than the people who don’t know God?

We believe born again people should live as the Holy Spirit directs us, trusting God in all things. We should live holy, with a reverence for God. We should think and live different from how the people who are not born again think and live. (Ephesians 5:18; II Corinthians 6:14; 7:1)

Do you believe in divine/supernatural healing?

We believe God still heals from any sickness or disease just like He did in Bible times. We believe that Jesus already made available to us everything we need to live whole, healthy lives; we simply must believe His Word to receive. (Acts 4:30; Romans 8:11, I Corinthians 12:9; James 5:14)

Do you believe in miracles or supernatural abilities?

We believe people who are born again can function in the Gifts of the Spirit just like the people in the Bible did. (I Corinthians 12-14)

Is the devil real?

We believe there is a real devil. We believe Satan and his angels will eventually be judged by God and sentenced to the lake of fire (Hell) forever. (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10-15)

Do you believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

We believe God wants us to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. The outward evidence of receiving this baptism is being able to pray and speak in an unknown language. (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:45-46; 19:6)

The Holy Spirit comforts, leads & guides, empowers us for service, brings God’s Word to our remembrance, and builds our faith. (John 14:26, Acts 1:8, Romans 8:14, Jude 1:20)

While we believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not required for salvation the many benefits mentioned above are why we encourage all Believers to receive.

Why do people get baptized in water?

We believe God wants people who are born again, to be baptized in water to show their commitment to Him. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38-39; 19:1-6)

How does a person become “born again”?

We believe that a person becomes saved or ‘born-again’ when they do the following:

Recognize that they are a sinner and are in need of a Savior. (Romans 5:12, Psalm 51:5)
Repent, which is to have a change of heart, mind, and direction. (Acts 2:37-38)
Confess and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10)
After these things a person is born again, however we encourage people to continue in the following scriptural practices:
Baptisms – Water Baptism and Baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Acts10:47-48, John 7:37-39)
Live a life of obedience. (James 2:17,20,22, 24, 26)
Continue reading and studying the Bible
Develop a lifestyle of Prayer
Join a Bible Based Church
Fellowship with other Believers
Minister or share with others what God has done in you

What happened to Jesus after He rose again?

We believe after the forty days, Jesus went to Heaven. We believe He will come back to Earth a second time to get the people who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior to live with Him forever. At that time, He will be known by all people as God, the Creator and Possessor of Heaven and Earth. (John 14: 2-3; I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

What do you believe about Jesus’ death and resurrection?

We believe Christ died for our sins; He was buried; and rose to live again the third day. He stayed on earth for forty days after His resurrection and showed Himself to His disciples and other people. (I Corinthians 15:1-8)

Do you believe Jesus was born of a virgin?

We believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was a virgin who miraculously conceived by God, the Holy Spirit. Even though Jesus was born a man just like you and me, He was still God and still part of the Trinity. (Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6)

What do you believe about the creation of mankind?

We believe God created Adam and Eve and from them all mankind was born. The Bible contains the accurate history of mankind on the earth. We believe Adam and Eve disobeyed God and since that time, man and Earth have been operating under a curse. We believe the Bible explanation of where the nations and languages came from. (Genesis 1-11)

What do you believe about the creation of the universe?

We believe God created the universe, including Earth, and all its natural laws, including time and space, as stated in Genesis.

What is the “Trinity”?

We believe in ONE God Who reveals Himself in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He may reveal only part of Himself at a given time but He always remains the Trinity (three in one). (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14)

Our Vision

We see EXCEL impacting the kingdom of God and the world.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower people to consistently pursue a relationship with God and a life of excellence.

– EXCEL in God and EXCEL in Life.

OUR CULTURE CODE

Our culture code is the following: God, Jesus, Wisdom, Mankind, and EXCEL. Our code provides the framework for our lives in and outside the church.

GOD - Live a life that honors God.

 God is our life.

JESUS - We are TRUE Vine Seekers. – John 15:5

 We must consistently seek God as our vital necessity.

WISDOM - Wisdom is the principal thing. – Proverbs 4:7

 Practical biblical teaching.

MANKIND - All people are worthy of Kindness, Compassion, and Dignity.

 Dignity and compassion for all.

EXCEL - God’s People are to Excel in all areas of Life.

 We believe you should be winning in life.