As a "A House of Prayer for All People," we seek to glorify God in all that we do, to love God and to love and encourage one another. Our mission is transforming lives - through faith - in the risen Christ! 

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As an American Baptist church in a vibrant urban, university, healthcare, cultural and business community, 

our IDENTITY IN CHRIST is shaped by...

Believer's Baptism

An outward expression of an inward faith in Christ, where consenting believers are immersed in water, symbolizing the washing away of our sin, and then as we are lifted up out of the water, to new life in Christ. We are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Lord's Supper: 

We practice open Communion in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. All who believe in Christ are invited to partake, sharing in the breaking of bread, which represents the body of Christ; and the cup, the blood of Christ. 

Priesthood of All Believer's

No one (pastor or priest) stands between God and us, but Christ alone. 

Congregational Autonomy

We operate independently with minimal hierarchical structure and with tolerance for differing views; to interpret scripture as led by the Holy Spirit. We also strive to offer inclusiveness & hospitality: Welcoming & connecting people of diverse cultures to Christ. 

Sharing Space

We glorify God and serve our community, in part, through the activity that takes place inside the historic sacred place entrusted to our care. 

Generosity

The Bible in Acts 20:35 states 'It is more blessed to give than to receive”, which teaches that there is joy in the act of giving when it is done with pure motives. God also wants to bless us for our generosity. To live by example, First Baptist tithe's on church rental & investment income in support of various local, regional and international missions.  God owns everything. We are stewards for a time of what God entrusts to our care, demonstrating trust and obedience through personal generosity.

Compassion for spiritual and physical needs

Prayer and action are important elements of faith in Christ. Spirituality, our connection to God, comes by way of faith in Christ and the gift of he Holy Spirit. We nurture our spiritual needs and those of others principally through prayer, Bible study, and a personal relationship with God.  We tend to the physical needs of others through prayer -- as well as action, where appropriate, providing for the physical needs of others, through the generosity of those who support our Deacon's Fund.

Transformation through faith, starts, by the grace of God, with genuine repentance, a turn toward God, 

and belief in our heart and confession with our lips that Christ is our Lord and Savior.