About Us
The mission of First Baptist Church is best represented by the following priorities: a strong, Biblically based, preaching ministry which communicates Christian theology in terms that are relevant to people's lives; a youth ministry which nurtures faith, commitment and discipleship; active programs of pastoral care, visitation, music, and involvement with members of the congregation; a ministry that leads people to make decisions for Christ and encourages their participation in the local church, community, and the world; a program of short-term Christian counseling; and a church environment which nurtures a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and caring. Our facilities are, broadly, handicapped accessible. Four newly acquired devices are now available to help people who are having problems hearing the service.
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Our Pastor:
Rev. John Hall came to us with his wife Heidi in July of 2017 with 17 years of ministry in previous churches. He states, "My call is to love and care for the people of God. I love theology and there are social issues that just break my heart. But, neither one is of greater importance than the love, care and nurture of the people of God." Heidi and John have 2 grown children and delightful grandchildren. Please join us here Sundays at 11 to meet these sterling folks and our church family!
Rev. John Hall
Pastor Soup Kitchen
We are still making our meals from the church and are still making sandwiches. We find ourselves reminiscing about the big meals we used to put together at the Salvation Army, but I doubt we will return to that mode until it is safe for us. The recipients of the meals come together now for the communal meal. We do so miss serving the people and having the interaction, but will continue to do the thing that is safest for everyone. -- Karen Bailey
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People eat at the Soup Kitchen for a variety of reasons. Some are homeless and are seekng a meal in a friendly, judgement free environment. We've talked with some folks who have little money left in their budget after they pay their rent so they eat regularly at the Soup Kitchen to make the money stretch a little further. Some are lonely and like the company. Yesterday I talked with a retired guy who said he had no idea how much was involved with cooking meals until he was suddenly left in the position of having to do all his own cooking. He said he was very grateful for the groups who cook for the Soup Kitchen, especially when the food made was so good.
So please, all of you who devote so much of your time and effort to doing this project, feel good about what you are doing. You are making a positive difference in people's lives.
January 9, 2025 Soup Kitchen
January 9, 2025 was the date of our most recent soup Kitchen and the date of my final soup kitchen as the leader for the group at First Baptist. Decades ago when my daughter was young, she and I made desserts for the group which was lead by Gerry Pickard. He was such a good person and I tried to get him and Ray Homchuck to teach me how to make a meal for a large group and do it with kindness. They would be proud of the group we have today.
Thank you to the people there last Thursday: Jane Ogilvie, Everett Goodwin, Judy Pruszenski and her daughter, Donna Beatty, Tom Gilbert, Mabelle Miller, Kathy Gowell, Trish Sanders, Brenda Cheney, Stacey Taylor, Sylvia Chase. Thanks to the dessert makers, Erika Bailey, Tom Gilbert and Brenda Cheney. While the folks listed above were making sandwiches, John Cheney, Kate Roseberry and Erika were making and serving South Park soup over at the Salvation Army.
You all are so good at doing the sandwiches for the bag lunches, it would be a shame to end this mission. I am hoping you will soon get an e-mail saying that someone has volunteered to coordinate the efforts and that the group will meet on the second Thursday in February, but I can't say that yet and I really can't do it myself right now.
Thank you all for making this such a worthwhile project. It has, indeed, been my pleasure.
Karen​
