God’s Kingdom spans the world and as a believer in Jesus Christ you become a member of that Kingdom and claim identity in the family of God.  God designed the body of Christ to meet in groups of local believers to become more Christ-like and carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).  First Baptist is one of those local groups.  There are four ways to become a member of First Baptist Church:1) Profession of Faith and Baptism, 2) Letter, 3) Statement of Faith, and 4) Watch Care.

1.  Profession of Faith and Baptism

Profession of Faith  - Profession of Faith means that you are publicly "professing" or confessing your faith in Jesus, making him the "Lord" or "boss" of your life. You are making the decision to become a Christian and wish to be baptized as an outward symbol of your faith.  Opportunity to make this public profession is given during the worship time.  Simply come forward and one of the ministers will counsel with you and present you before the church.  At that time the local believers will affirm your decision and baptism arrangements will be made.

Baptism  - The most important thing that can happen in your life is to be a believer in Jesus Christ. After you publicly announce your faith, God asks you to take your first step of obedience, baptism. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus.  It is a testimony to the believer's  faith in the final resurrection of the dead.  Matthew 3:13-17.  Maybe you became a Christian at some time in the past and were never baptized or maybe you are a member of another church, but have not been baptized by immersion, you can join here by being scripturally baptized to symbolize your personal acceptance of Christ and your desire to obey and serve Him here. After baptism, you are a member.


2.  Letter

If you are a member of a Baptist Church and you wish to join here you may do so by transfer of letter. Our church clerk will communicate with your former church and request your letter of transfer.


3.  Statement of Faith

If you have previously become a Christian, have been baptized by immersion as a symbol of your faith, but for some reason would not be able to join by transfer of Letter" (i.e. you are coming from a church background very similar to Baptist but which does not keep membership records, your previous Baptist church disbanded or somehow lost your membership records, etc.), you may come for membership by statement. FBC will accept your personal statement that you are a believer, have been baptized, and wish to become a church member.


4.  Watch Care

If you are a Christian of like faith and a temporary resident in the area, and you desire to affiliate with this Church without severing connections from your home church, we can accept you as a member in Watch Care.  One example of watch care is a college student away from his/her home church yet active in our church while attending college.