About Courageous

Our Pastors

Dave & Saz Thomas

Dave, Saz, and their four children moved to Charleston with a bold vision: to see God move in a fresh, powerful way in the Holy City. Driven by a deep passion for people, community, and the transformative power of God, their dream has flourished and gathered momentum, ultimately leading them to launch Courageous Church in 2024! They are adventurers at heart—active, energetic, and committed to investing in the next generation. And of course, they can never resist some good ole Southern BBQ. With both having over 15 years of ministry experience, Dave and Saz are hungry to see God do something new and powerful, all while continuing the legacy of faith passed down by the heroes who have paved the way before them.

Our Legacy

Courageous Church Charleston officially launched in 2024, but it is part of a church with over 35 years of rich history. As a new location of Freedom Church, a global movement based in Hereford, England, Courageous Church is rooted in a legacy of faith, creativity, and a heart for people.

Freedom Church, led by Senior Pastors Gary and Heather Snowzell, began in 1988 with a small team in rural England. Over the years, it has grown into a vibrant international community with locations across the globe. Gary and Heather’s passion for the gospel, deep love for the church, and unwavering commitment to God’s vision have been the driving force behind the church’s expansion.

Now, Courageous Church Charleston carries this legacy forward, embracing the same bold faith, dynamic leadership, and heart for reaching people with the message of Jesus. As part of the global Freedom Church movement, Courageous Church is excited to continue making an impact locally and beyond.

Our Beliefs

  • God is the creator and ruler of the universe. There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and co-eternal.

    I John 5:7 / Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19 / Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6 / Hebrews 3:7-11 / Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22 / Psalm 90:2 / 1 Peter 1:2 / 2 Cor 13:14

  • Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

    Matthew 1:22,23 / Isaiah 9:6 / John 1:1-5, 14:10-30 / Hebrews 4:14,15 / Romans 1:3,4

  • The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under his control daily.

    2 Corinthians 3:17 / John 16:7-13, 14:16 & 17 / Acts 1:8 / 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16 / Ephesians 1:13 / Galatians 5:25 / Ephesians 5:18

  • The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

    2 Timothy 3:16 / 2 Peter 1:20 & 21 / 2 Timothy 1:13 / Psalm 119:105,160 / Proverbs 30:5

  • People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates us from God and causes many problems in life. People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

    John 3:16 / John 14:17 / Romans 6:23 / Romans 8:17-18 / Revelation 20:15 / 1 Corinthians 2:7-9

    Genesis 1:27 / Psalm 8:3-6 / Isaiah 53:6 / Romans 3: 23 / Isaiah 59:1-2

  • Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment anyone receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

    Romans 6:23 / Ephesians 2:8-9 / John 14:6 / Titus 3:5

  • Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation.

    Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28, 21:4; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 44; Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21

  • The church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus' great commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the church as a member of the body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23

  • Given at Pentecost, it is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His Ascension, to empower the church to preach the Gospel throughout the whole earth.

    Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 17, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6

  • We believe in the Biblical example of marriage between one man and one woman as a covenant bond. Because God our Creator established marriage as a sacred institution between one man and one woman, we adhere to the traditional definition of marriage for all of human history.

    Matthew 19:4-6, 1 Corinthians 7:2, Mark 10:6-9, Genesis 2:24