What We Believe

First Baptist is a “big tent” kind of church. If you could put us all on one pew you would have the full spectrum of theological and political diversity. But the center pole of the big tent, the thing that holds us together in spite of our differences, is our shared belief that Jesus is Lord.

It’s a confession that goes back to the first century, back to that time when Jesus was inviting ordinary people—fishermen and tax collectors—to follow him.

Notice that he didn’t ask them if they believed that he had been born of a virgin or that he would rise bodily from the dead. He simply said, “Follow me.” I think he knew that if they spent enough time with him they would figure out who he was.

We think that’s still true, and that’s what we’re trying to do at First Baptist Church: we’re trying to spend enough time with Jesus to figure out who he is and what he wants.

When those first disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray,” Jesus taught them to pray that God’s kingdom would come and God’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. The kingdom was his passion. His “good news” was that it was coming (Mk. 1:15). He mentioned it 120 times in the Gospels, more than anything else, and certainly more than heaven and hell, because he wasn’t just trying to get people to heaven:

He was trying to bring heaven to earth.

As his modern-day disciples that’s what we’re trying to do: we’re trying to be an answer to the Lord’s prayer, a living, breathing embodiment of the gospel. Our mission is small enough to fit on a license plate but big enough to change the world. It’s KOH2RVA—bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to Richmond, Virginia—and beyond! How do we do that? We simply look around for anything that doesn’t look like heaven, and then roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Will you join us?

Several times a month, FBC volunteers drive our mobile markets to several local low-income neighborhoods in the city. These markets provide basic items not covered by EBT at a small cost. Additionally, vegetables from our Farm at Charlotte acres are given to these neighborhoods for free.
More than a dozen FBC family members make the journey to Slovakia every year to teach conversational English and hold sports camps for village children.
FBC’s Summer Celebration is held in the church’s courtyard and is meant to kick-off a season of fun and fellowship. Our neighbors are invited to join us for food, music and yard games.
Allison Collier, the Associate Pastor of Christian Formation, leads prayer during Church in the Community. This is a time during the summer when we take worship to the city. From Baptism in the River, to praying for the city at Richmond Hill Park, this is a true reflection of bringing KOH2RVA.
May Month of Missions is dedicated to gathering our FBC family together in fellowship with the goal of preparing supplies and other materials for missions throughout our city, state and country.
The Farms at Charlotte Acres produce thousands of food a year for food deserts in our community. We also lend the land to several urban farmers in exchange for their maintenance of our farm. Church volunteers also help to maintain, plant and harvest the garden, as well.
Nearly 150 elementary school children gather from across the area to take part in our Summer Vacation Bible School, annually. Led by Amanda Lott, our Minister to Children and Families, this week-long program is an extremely popular way to teach children the love of Christ.