From the Senior Minister (May 26, 2026)
Not an object or a thing. But like another family member, our family farm in Tennessee has played a huge role in my life. It’s the place I feel most at home, where I feel closest to my parents and grandparents, and where my longing for them is heaviest. A couple of weeks ago, I […]
From the Senior Minister (May 18, 2026)
We have a good problem at First Baptist. So much is happening in the life of our church that it can be challenging to share about it all! As church staff, we continually discuss how to improve our communication so you can stay informed and connected. Over the past year, we have taken several meaningful […]
From the Senior Minister (April 27, 2026)
There’s something special about carrying a piece of church, home, into your everyday life. In 2024, the Garden Friends, which is a group dedicated to helping tend and beautify the church grounds, divided the irises around our church campus, a process that keeps them healthy and blooming. Rather than let those extra bulbs go to […]
March 16, 2026
First Baptist, I want to celebrate some wonderful news: we ended 2025 with a revenue surplus of $245,837 over expenses! Our congregation’s giving was very strong, and we met our contribution goal. This speaks to the deep level of commitment we have to our shared life at First Baptist. Included in the above amount is […]
March 9, 2026
Like many of you, I have followed the disturbing reports surrounding the Epstein case. Behind each headline are women who were exploited and abused. Many have shown extraordinary courage in coming forward and seeking justice. Because powerful people across the political spectrum are named, full accountability may never come. As I have reflected on these […]
From the Senior Minister (March 16, 2026)
First Baptist, I want to celebrate some wonderful news: we ended 2025 with a revenue surplus of $245,837 over expenses! Our congregation’s giving was very strong, and we met our contribution goal. This speaks to the deep level of commitment we have to our shared life at First Baptist. Included in the above amount is […]
From the Senior Minister (March 9, 2026)
Like many of you, I have followed the disturbing reports surrounding the Epstein case. Behind each headline are women who were exploited and abused. Many have shown extraordinary courage in coming forward and seeking justice. Because powerful people across the political spectrum are named, full accountability may never come. As I have reflected on these […]
From the Senior Minister (February 17, 2026)
Lent is a special 40-day season in the Christian calendar that helps prepare our hearts for Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. The 40 days (not counting Sundays) recall the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and praying in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. By […]
From the Senior Minister (February 2, 2026)
The well-known psychiatrist and author Elisabeth Kübler-Ross once wrote, “There are really only two emotions: love and fear.” All the emotions we think of as positive flow from love —happiness, contentment, peace, and joy. All the emotions we think of as negative grow out of fear—anger, hatred, anxiety, guilt, and jealousy. In other words, if […]
From the Senior Minister (January 26, 2026)
As many of you know, Matt Rollins, our Minister of Community Engagement, has accepted a position with Village Engage. Matt’s last day in the office was January 15. We are grateful for his years of service and dedication and look forward to what this next chapter holds for him. We will recognize Matt during worship […]