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Our Vision
Becoming people of love through growing disciples of Christ and reaching out to serve families and their children.
Theology and Affiliations
FBC is a Baptist church that is associated with Corpus Christi Baptist Association, the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. FBC has been described as a friendly church whose members enjoy getting together for ministry, fun and discussions. Members bring rich and diverse opinions on theological issues and views on denominational organizations. There is a tolerance and openness within the church that allows for honest and candid discussion of issues without fear of disrupting the strong fellowship of the church body.
Membership and Attendance
Number of resident members: 1765 (Church conference
9/27/06)
There are two morning worship services at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. with a "blended" music style. Both services include Bible reading, prayer, a variety of music including an orchestra during the school year and an inspirational message. On Sunday nights there is a more traditional service with some small groups meeting in homes at the same time. On Wednesdays, the church family gathers around the supper tables for a time of prayer, praise and Bible study.
Ginger Andrews - Interim Children's Director; service at
FBC since 2005.
Kim
Glover - Parents Day Out Director; service at FBC since
1999. David Henneke - Minister to Students & Missions; service at FBC since 2005.
Louann Huntsman - Pianist; service at FBC since 1989.
Characterization of Members
First Baptist Church has attracted members of all ages who value personal application of God's Word. Relationships between members are strengthened through outreach, mission work, department fellowships, and community involvement. Because of our church's stability, there are many individuals who have been members of FBC most of their lives. Our membership has been an aging congregation that in the past few years has seen an influx of young families and children. Ethnic Makeup of CongregationFBC is a church that welcomes all who wish to worship God regardless of race or national origin. Our membership is primarily Caucasian but is looking more like our community with each passing week as African Americans, Hispanics and Asians join our church family. The doors are open to any and all people who come to worship God.
Our worship services are a mix of traditional and praise music augmented by our 40-member Sanctuary Choir and 18-member orchestra. We are blessed with great musical talent and feel that music is an integral part of worship. The music ministry also includes a handbell group, youth and children’s choirs.
FBC has nine preschool, five children, nine youth, and thirteen adult Sunday School classes. These classes use literature from many different sources. Mission activities include a WMU group that meets once a month, a literacy group that meets once a week, apartment ministries, an active women's ministry (MOPS and MOMS) and summer mission groups that go to Mexico. The children’s educational ministry includes Sunday School, VBS, Parent's Day Out, Kids Worship and children’s worship during the regular worship time. First Baptist School was established in 1970, and currently has classes for children age 2 through 8th grade. A licensed day care program provides before and after school care. A summer recreational and enrichment program is offered every June through mid-August.
Youth and Recreation Ministries
Our youth greatly benefit from an active
group of youth workers and a full-time minister to
students. There is an active Sunday School and Sunday
evening activities. On Wednesday nights the youth have
Bible study and recreation time. There are small group
Bible studies in homes. A Disciple Now weekend is held
each year as well as a summer camp each summer.
Opportunities for Future Programs and Ministries
During 2002 the Vision Ministry Team worked diligently on a research project designed to bring focus to the environment in which they seek to accomplish their mission. A summary of this work is available.
Church History
FBC was organized in 1878 in a home with four couples as charter members. As the church began to grow they started meeting in a remodeled blacksmith shop. The church continued to grow and erected a new building in 1910, moving to the present location in 1949. Dr. Vernon Elmore, pastor for 24 years, has written Voyage of Faith, a complete history of the church.
General Description of Buildings
The Sanctuary was built in 1949, renovated in 1971, and seats approximately 900 people. A new organ was installed in 1981. The lower level houses the kitchen and Elmore Hall. The second floor has the balconies, several rooms used by various mission groups and the prayer room. The Education Building was built in 1958. The first floor includes the Hereford Parlor, the chapel, and adult Sunday School departments. The second floor, renovated in 2006, includes adult Sunday School departments, library and the church offices. The Children’s Building was built in 1992. The lower level houses the day school, the first floor includes the preschool area, and the second floor includes the grade school area.
The Recreation Building was completed in 1971 and
renovated in 1982. "The Way Inn" restaurant is
open for lunch during the week. The Rec Center
also houses a volunteer station, meeting rooms, a gym
complete with weight room, hot tub and showers, and a
ceramics room. Boy Scout Troop 11 maintains
the self-contained Scout Hut which is adjacent to
the recreation building.
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Copyright (c) 2000-2008, First Baptist Church, C.C. TX. |