From the Senior Minister (January 20, 2025)
In November 2024, NPR ran a story titled “Churches in America Are Having a Hard Time Finding Pastors.” The story opened with a sobering reality: “American religious institutions are facing a crisis: they don’t have enough clergy to lead congregations, particularly in rural areas.” Across the country, clergy are retiring and dying at a faster […]
From the Senior Minister (January 11, 2025)
Instead of making New Year’s resolutions, I try to take time at the end of each year to do a year-in-review. A few years ago, Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes offered a guided meditation on her podcast, which included reflective questions for reviewing the year. Life is so busy that we rarely pause to reflect and take […]
From the Senior Minister (January 5, 2026)
After 22 years of faithful service, Matt Rollins will transition from First Baptist Greenville to full-time work with Village Engage. As I reflect on his ministry among us, I am struck by the gift Matt has given this congregation: longevity, an increasingly rare contribution in our hyperactive and transient culture. Since Matt is a math […]
From the Senior Minister (December 22, 2025)
We all long for connection with one another, within a community where we belong, and for a sense of meaning at the beginning of a new year. Epiphany Sunday at First Baptist offers these gifts, and we hope you will be part of it! We will begin the new year together with a hot, church-wide […]
From the Senior Minister (December 15, 2025)
During Advent, we make room for Christ in our hearts and our lives. Christine Rogers captures this beautifully in her poem, “A Clearing”: Help me make a space for you emptying myself to create a place for you spreading the straw on the floor of my soul in joyful expectation of your coming. This season […]
From the Senior Minister
Dear Church Family and Friends, As the end of the year approaches, we invite you to give a financial gift to First Baptist. Your contributions directly impact vital ministries and help us continue to share God’s love. Donations can be made by check, online donation, qualified charitable distribution (QCD), or stock contribution. Information regarding all […]
From the Senior Minister (November 24, 3025)
Advent is a season when people long for hope, connection, and meaning, which makes it a great time to invite someone to attend worship with you! Visit https://firstbaptistgreenville.com/advent-christmas/ to view all of our Christmas services and activities. —Carol Sunday, November 3010:30am First Sunday of Advent: Hanging of the Green Worship Service (Sanctuary) with Proclaimer Camille […]
From the Senior Minister (November 17, 2025)
Our theme for the year is Invited, based on Romans 15:7: “So reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!” Each of us has an important role to play in creating a spirit of hospitality here at First Baptist: inviting people to church, greeting people warmly, getting […]
From the Senior Minister (November 10, 2025)
A few weeks ago, I preached about Christian character development and how growth happens as we come to know ourselves—our personalities, gifts, particular temptations, and flaws. I mentioned that when I get stressed, my natural response is to move fast and get things done—to hustle, check things off the to-do list, and keep pushing forward. […]
From the Senior
My birthday is coming up on November 6, and this year I would love to celebrate in a meaningful way. I invite you to bring canned fruit for the United Ministries food pantry! FBG collects canned fruit year-round, but the need is about to grow dramatically. As you may have heard, the U.S. Department of […]