First Baptist Church has a long tradition of serving others. Since 1866 we have identified specific activities and allocated a portion of our annual budget for missions. We currently devote 10% of our offerings for various mission partners:
FBC partners with the American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) and American Baptist International Ministries (IM) to share in the global and national ministries of the American Baptist Churches, USA. We engage in shared ministry through our prayers, finances, and time.
As a congregation, we are committed to blessing our neighborhood. We want to show Christ’s love to our community by being here for those around us – not just on a Sunday morning, but throughout the week. However, we realize that we can’t support our neighbors if we don’t know what they need.
That’s why we have canvassed the immediate physical neighborhoods adjacent to FBC. We sought – and continue to seek – to listen and respond to the needs of our neighbors.
The American Baptist Women’s Ministries at FBC encourages all women and girls to use their talents and gifts to serve God. Learn how you can help them make a difference in their local and oversees ministries.
FBC Partners with American Baptist Men's ministries for special work projects and disaster relief efforts.
In recent years, First Baptist Church has commissioned intergenerational teams to assist with emergency assistance and initial clean-up after natural disasters. Additionally, we helped begin the transformation of a blighted neighborhood in Georgia.
We don’t know when the next disaster will strike, or when the next call for assistance will come. But we do know that FBC will answer as we look to make a difference in God’s kingdom.
Agape ISU is a Registered Student Organization at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.
They are an inclusive community at Illinois State University, centered on the unconditional love of God. The Agape community is a partnership of the Lutheran Student Movement and Judson Fellowship
FBC is supporting Home Sweet Home Ministries’ food co-operative which empowers low-income individuals and families as they work to overcome chronic food insecurity and limited choices. This led to the development of our community garden – and the harvest so far has been bountiful!
Currently on the 4th Sunday of each month, five or six members of this group prepare ham, green beans, wild rice, mandarin oranges, corn bread, brownies, and lemonade to serve 50+ homeless men, women, and children who come to enjoy the dinner. Members of the group fund and purchase the items themselves.
First Baptist Church partners with Faith in Action in serving seniors age 60 and older by helping provide for basic non-medical needs such as transportation to doctors, grocery stores, and other necessary errands; friendly visiting; and minor home maintenance.
Services are free and provided by volunteers from a coalition of area faith communities as well as by other concerned community members.
Lifelong Access, formerly known as Marcfirst, has been providing services to the community since 1955. While they’ve grown, evolved, and changed, they remain a one-stop-shop that provides support from birth to end of life and everything in between.
Recycling Furniture for Families (RF4F) is a non-denominational Christian charity serving families in need across McLean County. They give furniture to people living at or below the federal poverty line, partnering with more than 50 local service agencies and churches, who provide referrals to their services.
FBC is partnering with Sugar Creek Elementary in order to make a difference in the life of a local child. Whether as a Reading, Math, or Lunch Buddy, or as a Special Events Helper, you can also support these young children in their early development.
