From the Senior Minister (October 6, 2025)
Our theme for this 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!” Out of love for Christ and others, we are called to take the initiative in inviting, including and supporting newcomers to our church. We commit ourselves to […]
From the Senior Minister (September 29, 2025)
Beloved First Baptist, I am back from Turkey! Our group visited sites where Paul preached the good news of Jesus’ love, and we studied the books of Acts and Galatians along the way. Paul proclaimed the gospel while trying to hold the fledgling church together. Yet factions quickly emerged, leading Paul to write these striking […]
From the Senior Minister (September 7, 2025)
This week, I am excited to travel to Turkey with a group from First Baptist to sail along the coast, following in the footsteps of Paul. We will be visiting Ephesus and other significant sites from his missionary journeys. While I am away, you are in for a special treat! On Sunday, September 14, Kyle […]
From the Senior Minister (August 24, 2025)
Our theme for the year is Invited, based on Romans 15:7. We are invited by God into grace, belonging, service and purpose. In turn, we invite others into faith, friendship and the life of the church. To reflect on this theme, I’ve invited newcomers to share their experiences. —Carol Reflection by Cliff and Jeanette Christian, […]
From the Senior Minister (August 18, 2925)
Join me for an unforgettable travel-learning experience next summer, June 23–30, as we explore faith, culture, and Christianity through the life and work of Pastor and Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. On behalf of his neighbors and Jesus Christ, Bonhoeffer was a courageous resister of Nazi Germany. His bold witness continues to challenge and inspire Christians around […]
From the Senior Minister (August 4, 2025)
August 17 is Blessing Sunday, and we hope you will join us as we regather after summer and recommit ourselves to God and the life of the church. It will be a day of celebration marking the beginning of a new school year, a new church season and a new opportunity to live into our […]
From the Senior Minister (July 28, 2025)
A few weeks ago in worship, I preached on Jeremiah 20, one of five laments found in the book of Jeremiah. Laments are a deeply honest form of prayer that express sorrow, pain, anger, or confusion before God. The practice of lament has been an essential part of my own faith journey—especially in 2020, when […]
From the Senior Minister (July 21, 2025)
I was a bit surprised by how much my sermon from a few weeks ago about singing in worship resonated. Pun intended! Many of you have mentioned how it brought up memories of meaningful songs or had you singing your favorite hymn all afternoon. As we celebrated the arrival of our new Minister of Music […]
From the Senior Minister (June 14, 2025)
I want to take a moment to celebrate the arrival of our new Minister of Music and Worship. Yesterday, July 13, marked Laura Ritter’s first Sunday with us! As a reminder, Laura most recently served as the Director of Music and Worship and Organist at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Seneca, SC, as well […]
Thank You, Fred Defoor!
First Baptist, We were truly blessed to have Fred DeFoor step into our interim Minister of Music role with such grace and skill in July 2024. He guided us through the transition and gave us time to thoughtfully search for a new music minister. Now, having faithfully led us through this important season, Fred gets […]