About Us
It’s a new day at First Baptist Church and we want you to be a part of it. Whether you are an established member of the community or a new resident, we invite you to come and join us. We are a community of faith committed to bringing glory to God and taking the gospel to the world. If you are looking for a place to connect to God and others, grow spiritually, and encourage your family, we would love for you to come and visit FBCA.
Here are some frequently asked questions:
What are Sunday School Small groups?
How can I become a member of First Baptist Church?
How can I have a relationship with Jesus Christ?
What are Sunday School Small groups?
We offer small group Bible studies for all ages, including groups for special needs (Friends of Jesus), couples, and singles. Each small group meets on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. We encourage you to get to know our classes by visiting them. Each Adult Sunday School class has a different dynamic and our guests or new members are encouraged to find a class that best meets their preference in teaching and fellowship. Youth and Children have Sunday School classes designated by age. For information and directions to each specific class, call the church office or check with one of the many greeters you will encounter when you visit.
What is worship at FBCA like?
Our worship service begins at 10:45 a.m. on Sundays and lasts approximately 1 hour. The music is up-lifting and God-honoring and the message is Bible-centered and applicable to today. There is no dress code except we encourage everyone to dress in such a way as to honor God.
How can I become a member of First Baptist Church?
Anyone who has a saving faith in Jesus Christ and has been scripturally baptized is a candidate for membership at First Baptist Church. You may indicate a desire to join our fellowship by responding to an invitation during one of our services or letting the pastor know of your desire to join in membership. If you have any questions regarding membership, our ministers would love the opportunity to speak with you. You may email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) your questions to us or call 423-745-5441.
How can I have a relationship with Jesus Christ?
One of the clearest statements about knowing Jesus is found in 2 Corinthians 5:21. It says: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This verse teaches us several key truths that we must know if we are to come to God. The first truth we learn is that we are separated from God because of our sin. The fact that Jesus had to become sin for us teaches us that we are sinners. The bible says “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) It’s not just that we have sinned, it’s that we are sinners. Everyone is born a sinner and because of our sinful nature we actually do sin and are separated from God as a result.
On the flip side, God is holy. (Isaiah 6:3; I Peter 1:15-16). That means that God is completely without sin. He has never sinned and never will sin. Being completely holy is what makes God who he is. If he were to overlook sin, he would cease to be holy and cease to be God. So sin has to be completely separated from God and therefore we are completely separated from God.
And the Bible teaches that sin requires death (Romans 6:23), and not just physically, but spiritually, forever being separated from God in a place called hell.
But the good news is, God has sent a substitute to die in our place. Since God loved us so much, he sent his only son to earth in order to die in our place. (John 3:16) The bible teaches that Jesus became our sin on the cross. God poured out the wrath and punishment that we deserved on Jesus in order that we might be saved. Jesus died to save his people from their sins! Thus 2 Cor. 5:21 says, For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Thus when we come to faith in Christ we are given Jesus’ perfect righteousness. It sounds too good to be true or too simple but the amazing fact is that in exchange for our sin, Jesus gives us his perfect righteousness! That’s good news and a great exchange. The bible teaches that we must come to Jesus in faith, placing our trust and belief in him alone. (Ephesians 2:8) Faith is trusting Jesus’ perfect work instead of trusting in ourselves. It is accompanied by repentance, or turning away from our sin. If we will turn from our sin (repent) and trust in Christ’s work alone (faith), then the bible promises us that we will be saved. In Christ, we are accepted by God and are able to live with him in everlasting life. First Baptist Church invites you to repent of your sin and turn to Jesus Christ in faith. Simply cry out to God in prayer and ask him to save you from your sins. God loves to save those who come to him with broken hearts. It is his delight! If you have committed yourself to Jesus Christ in faith and want to speak to a minister, please call us at 423-745-5441. We would love the opportunity to get to know you and talk with you further about Jesus Christ.
We are affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, Tennessee Baptist Convention, and the McMinn/Meigs Baptist Association.