In a consumer-driven age, the church is often called upon to provide something, a “ministry,” for every single demographic group and/or individual who comes looking. “What’s in it for me?” and “What have you done for me lately?” have become the rallying cry for many churchgoers. So, what does Faith Baptist Church believe about ministry?
- We believe the essential activities for a believer include: worship & prayer (upward focus); Bible study & growth (inward focus); evangelism & missions (outward focus); and service, discipling & fellowship (other focus).
- We define “ministry” in a two-fold way: a) evangelism (sharing the Gospel with unbelievers), and b) teaching believers so that we grow in Christ-likeness.
- Our philosophy of ministry views the church as the place for equipping and training believers to do the work of ministry in their homes, neighborhoods and workplaces (Ephesians 4:11-14).
SUNDAY MINISTRY
Our FAMILY BIBLE CLASSES meet from 9:30-10:20 am year-round. We have classes for all ages including a nursery, plus children, teen, and adult classes. You will find dedicated, prepared teachers and lessons actually teaching the Word of God (not just a Bible-flavored lesson). We primarily use Regular Baptist Press (www.rbpstore.org) material.
Our SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE begins at 10:45 am. We have a firm belief that the Bible is God’s Word, living and powerful and it is what God has ordained (with the accompanying work of the Holy Spirit) to change lives. The central focus of our worship is an expository message that takes us to what the Lord would have us learn (in contrast to a felt-need-based approach). You will find the music uplifting, relevant, and God-honoring. The nursery is available and from September to May we have a “Children’s Church” for young children during the message time.
During the school year (early September to early May) we have an AWANA PROGRAM for children 3 years old through 6th Grade.
Our SUNDAY EVENING CELEBRATION begins at 6:00 pm. This is a more informal approach that also includes joyful singing, personal sharing, and a Bible-teaching time.
WEDNESDAY MINISTRY
During the school year (early September to mid-May) our TEEN CLUB (seventh through twelfth grades) meet together Wednesday night from 6:30-8:00pm.
There is an ADULT BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER MEETING from 6:45-8:00pm.
During the summer months we have a refreshing midweek time of fellowship, Bible study and prayer from 7:00-8:00pm for the whole family. We fellowship in the Word of God, share prayer requests, and pray together.
FELLOWSHIP
We have regular social times for fellowship within the church family or as a whole group (for example: carry-in dinners, Sunday School Picnic, and finger-food fellowship after a service).
We are open to and would love to have both a College and Career fellowship group and a Senior Saints fellowship/ministry group.
We fellowship with the Northeast Fellowship of Independent Baptist Churches (nfibc.org), an association of more than 180 churches across the Northeast region with the same doctrinal position. Fall, Winter, and Spring Bible Conferences are held with the Annual Business meeting occurring during the October (Fall) Conference. Many other rallies, workshops, and special conferences are provided for youth, adults, and pastors throughout the year.
We also fellowship with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (www.garbc.org), a voluntary partnership of independent Baptist churches committed to the Great Commission mandate. Since its beginning in 1932, the GARBC has been synonymous with an allegiance to the Word of God, a focus on the local church, and a passion for worldwide evangelism. The GARBC builds its movement on sound Biblical doctrine, separating from theological liberalism and compromising accommodation.
MISSIONS
We currently support seven missionaries (church planting here in the United States and in Ireland, Germany, and East Asia, plus medical missions in Gambia, West Africa), as well as Lamoka Baptist Camp (www.lamoka.com).
We have an annual MISSIONS CONFERENCE to get acquainted with new missionaries, listen to their burden for a particular field, and be challenged by their zeal for evangelism. We also schedule missionary guest speakers at least three other times throughout the year to help encourage our own missionary focus.
OUTREACH
Every summer we hold a week-long VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL for children up through sixth grade. We seek to reach out to our neighbors and community sharing the Gospel with the children who live nearby.
We also have had a FAIR MINISTRY (for example: a booth at the Churchville Fair in August).
In the fall, we have had a LADIES CRAFT FELLOWSHIP. On a Saturday our ladies teach several craft projects to the girls and ladies who come as well as offer a devotional thought from Scripture about life and eternity.
In the winter, we have had a QUILT DAY, with an instructor helping ladies plan and complete a simple quilt project or help them move forward on a larger project. There is also a time of devotions and thinking of spiritual things.
In the spring, around Mother’s Day, we have a LADIES LUNCHEON. It is a great time of fellowship for the ladies and girls who come together for delicious food, music, skits, and a thoughtful devotion to focus on spiritual things.
We are looking for ways to use our GYMNASIUM for outreach opportunities.