Mission, Vision, Strategy and Values of First Baptist Church

The mission of First Baptist Church is to help people know, love, and become like Jesus.

Our vision summary statement is, “As we seek God, he will form us to become increasingly Christlike, and to be family to everyone who needs family.”

Our strategy is to personally and corporately grow in the three core areas of faith, love, and witness. Growth in these core areas will lead to our mission being accomplished and the results of our vision being realized in our community and around the world.

Our motivators are passionate discovery as demonstrated by an obedient desire to know God and His will, authentic relationships as demonstrated by being family to those who need family, and community transformation as demonstrated by courageous commitment to people who are without Jesus.

All of this is founded on and guided by the following values:

God’s Word

We are committed to Bible-based teaching and living. We believe the Bible is the authoritative Word of God, communicates what we believe, shows us how to live, and is used by the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives. As passionate followers of Jesus, we will seek to have the transforming message of the Bible permeate our lives through study and prayer. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Relationships

We are committed to deepening relationships with God, fellowshipping with other believers, and reaching out to those who do not yet know Christ. We believe that our relationship with God is primary and given evidence by our relationships with one another and that loving relationships are at the center of the Gospel. As passionate followers of Jesus, we will nurture our relationship with God and cultivate relationships inside and outside of the church. (Matthew 22:37-39)

Grace

We are committed to joyfully accepting God’s gift of grace and generously extending that gift to others. We believe that people matter to God, that the church is made up of broken people saved by grace, that authenticity cannot exist without grace, and that by extending grace to others we are reflecting the very heart of Jesus. As passionate followers of Jesus, we will live authentically, meet people at their point of need and walk alongside those on the path of recovery and reconciliation. (1 John 3:16)

Transformation

We are committed to becoming the individuals and the church that God desires us to be. We believe that the Holy Spirit transforms the hearts of those who seek God and intentionally live as disciples of Jesus, that as individuals are transformed into the likeness of Christ the church is also transformed, and that transformation is a lifelong journey. As passionate

followers of Jesus, we will utilize every day as an opportunity to become more like Him. (Romans 12:1-2)

Generosity

We are committed to being generous with the resources we have been given. We believe that generous living is a natural byproduct of a life in transformation and that it removes obstacles for accomplishing the mission to which we have been called. As passionate followers of Jesus, we will use biblical principles to manage the time, talent and treasure God has entrusted to us and we will seek to honor God by caring for those in need.

(2 Corinthians 8:5,7)

Outreach

We are committed to reaching out to the world with the message of Jesus Christ. We believe this work starts locally with our neighbors, expands regionally, and extends globally. As passionate followers of Jesus, we will reach out to the world by praying continuously, trusting fully, giving sacrificially, serving faithfully, and going confidently.

(2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Matthew 28:19-20)