When we say, "Come as you are" we really mean it. We want you to feel at home among the people called First Baptist Church. Here you will find jeans and polo shirts and a few coats and ties mixed in with the slacks and T-shirts.

What is important is you heart. We want you to come with an open heart and mind, prepared to encounter God in worship and through Christian study.

Don't worry if you haven't been to church in a long while, we will welcome you and love you just as you are and we need your love to help us. So come and together let's discover the grace of God in Jesus.   

Worship & Christian Education

Sunday

9:15 Early Worship - Fellowship Hall*

10:00 Christian Education (Sunday School)

11:00 Divine Worship - Sanctuary

Wednesday

6:00 Midweek Worship - Prayer and Word**

6:15 Family Night meal *** 

* Combines with Divine Worship on Communion Sundays and during Advent Season

** September through June

*** On Wednesday following first Sunday August through June.

Who We Are and What We Believe?

Our philosophy of ministry holds that spiritually healthy individuals and churches will accomplish God's will. We believe that God's will for the church is the living celebration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is best understood and expressed through the "Great Commandment (Mark 12:28-31)" and the "Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)."

 
These, expressed by Jesus inform his disciples that we are to love God, love one another, and love the whole world through the spreading of the gospel.  Therefore genuine ministry must by its very nature encourage Christian people to embrace God's love so fully that they become exactly who God intends them to be.  In order to fulfill God's will for our lives and ministries we stress a balanced Christian walk epitomized by the following passions:

•        Love for God - The priesthood of all believers means that we have direct access to God made possible through Christ's death on the cross.  This also means that Christians are to serve as "priests" one to another as we discover together a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with God.  As a Baptist we describe soul freedom as a precious gift given by God's grace in order to fulfill His will for our lives that is to love him with "all of our heart, soul, mind and strength."  

•        Love for the Church - The universal church is composed of believers in Jesus Christ scattered in all places and through all ages.  In spite of doctrinal differences we are called to love and respect one another.  Individual congregations, the local church are autonomous bodies.  Church freedom means we are free as Baptists to partner with other believers to fulfill God's specific call and be a missional church, unique and set apart to fulfill a special 
purpose.  The pastor is not the ruler of the church, that role is reserved for God alone.  Instead the pastor is called to be a shepherd who guides the sheep.  Therefore the governing of the church is a democratic process that seeks to acknowledge diverse opinions and arrive at a congregational decision on issues that affect the life of the church.

•        Love for the Lonely - We must take seriously the words of Jesus that compel us to share the good news with those who feel estranged from God.  This should be done in a variety of ways including both words and deeds.  The basis for all evangelism is love for people who feel estranged from God.  One way that is expressed is through the historic Baptist commitment to religious freedom.  Separation of church and state is a good idea, with a Biblical basis, that serves to prevent religious coercion as well as interference or preferential support from the state.  Faith freely chosen is genuine faith and the American experiment demonstrates that religion thrives under a separated state and church.

•        Love for Scripture - The Bible is reliable, trustworthy, and authoritative.  It reveals God's love for all humankind and the reconciliation provided through Jesus Christ.  Christians often fight needlessly over the inspiration of scripture insisting on terminology and claims the Bible doesn't make for itself.  Free and faithful Baptists assert that Bible freedom allows for the Holy Spirit to work in the life of the believer, guiding him or her toward truth both through inward 
conviction and through the testimony of fellow believers.   I resist the imposition of any creed and instead desire Christians to read, study, think through, and share with others their understanding of the Bible.

The ministry objectives of the local church are not predetermined by a single individual, but arrived at in community through prayer, discussion, study, and hard work.  The pastor's role is to shepherd the process to ensure that all voices are heard, considered, and that the aims and goals of the congregation are genuinely theirs.  This done the congregation will take ownership and bear the appropriate responsibility for seeing the church meets its objectives.

To read our church bylaws click this link.