David E. Crosby, pastor of First Baptist Church of New Orleans, has often encountered inquiries of faith throughout his long career in ministry. Serving as a dedicated pastor in more than four churches, he soon felt the need to document a concise summary of the first principles of religious belief. A prolific writer, Crosby has penned many articles for respected newspapers, including the Baptist Standard, New Orleans Times-Picayune, and Houston Chronicle. He has also published numerous devotional guides and instructional booklets. Crosby lives by a unique doctrine-the communication of gospel through deed is just as, if not more, important as its proclamation through word. He established both the Baptist Crossroads Project, a low-income housing initiative in the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans, and the First Baptist Home Recovery Ministry, which assists homeowners in the rebuilding of property damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the homeless of New Orleans, launching and implementing a plan to develop emergency housing for those most in need of it.