Tell. Teach. Transform.
The very nature of First Baptist cannot be pinned to a building, an individual or programs. This church is about Jesus – it is about redemption and the reconciliation of our relationship to God through Christ. It is about this journey together! Our vision strives to follow the command of Jesus to make disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20) This means that we are actively Telling our neighbors how they can receive the gift of eternal life. (Ephesians 2:8-9) It further means that we Teach the followers of Jesus (Ephesians 4:12) what the Bible says and how it applies to their lives so that they can continually be Transformed into the image of Christ! (Romans 8:29)
We accomplish this vision through
Gospel focused worship
The gathering of the church to worship God by remembering the gospel through preaching, teaching, telling, singing, praying and celebrating the ordinances of baptism and communion. This presents the opportunity for the church to remember, respond and rejoice in the work of our great King.
Gospel focused community
Though each Christian has a personal relationship with God, that relationship is not individual or private. The Christian faith is not intended to be lived in isolation. We were made for community with God and with each other. The local church is not merely a place that we attend but a people to whom we belong. Gospel focused community is a radical shift from a culture of mere attendance and casual involvement. Our Life Groups are a place where people can connect to our community. Groups are not perfect and those who participate in them will find them messy at times. However, our hope is that group members will be radically committed to being transformed from within. This takes time, prayer, effort, patience, love, trust and hope.
Gospel focused multiplication
Multiplication is the result of discipleship and transformation! Jesus issues the Great Commission for the church, which involves multiplication. We are to become better disciples through love for God and love for others by equipping and empowering others to do the same. We are called to growth as we tell the gospel of life to a lifeless world. We multiply God’s kingdom by living with the purpose to make God known and enjoyed. From being missionaries to our neighbors and coworkers to being missionaries for a short or long-term mission trip, our lives have been infused with purpose and meaning. The disciple’s call is multiplication and replication through the gospel—for the glory of our great God.