Our Church Life
While many people use the word “church” to refer to a particular building or to the services which are held in that building, the Bible uses the word “church” to refer to a congregation of believers who gather to worship and serve God. The New Testament likens this congregation of believers to a body or a family. The individual members of that body or family have a vital relationship to one another – each one benefits from interacting with one another.
The New Testament church stands in stark contrast to a music hall, lecture hall, stadium or gymnasium, where people gather as spectators but have very little interaction or ongoing involvement in each others’ lives. To be a part of a biblical church is to be a part of a family which loves and cares for one another. God that He has produced a very special family relationship within the congregation of First Baptist Church, and it is a blessing to be a part of it. It is encouraging to know that people are contacting one another, helping one another, praying for one another, and serving alongside one another.
The New Testament church stands in stark contrast to a music hall, lecture hall, stadium or gymnasium, where people gather as spectators but have very little interaction or ongoing involvement in each others’ lives. To be a part of a biblical church is to be a part of a family which loves and cares for one another. God that He has produced a very special family relationship within the congregation of First Baptist Church, and it is a blessing to be a part of it. It is encouraging to know that people are contacting one another, helping one another, praying for one another, and serving alongside one another.
Our Background
Under the leadership of Pastor John Schroder, a group of believers began meeting for Sunday services in the Memorial Building in January of 1961, and by August of that year they officially organized as First Baptist Church. In 1963 the church purchased property on East 41st Street and began the construction of their own building. As the church grew it became evident that they needed more space and in 1979 they began construction of a large addition which provided a much larger sanctuary, as well as a fellowship hall, kitchen and office space. A significant renovation of the exterior of the building was completed in 2008.
First Baptist Church is an independent, fundamental Baptist church affiliated nationally with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, and on the state level with the Minnesota Association of Regular Baptist Churches. It is the mission of the church to carefully preach and teach the Bible so that people will understand and believe the Gospel message of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, and so that believers will want to live and minister in accordance with God’s Word. To accomplish that purpose, the church holds a full slate of weekly church services, plus many other special ministries at various times throughout the year. Since the 1970's the church has conducted a summer camp program (Camp Swampy) from its own facilities on Little Harriet Lake. Besides ministering to children through Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Camp Swampy, the church also has ministries for teens (youth group and special activities), for women (monthly women’s Bible studies as well as hands-on projects), and for seniors (fellowship and activities), besides a variety of periodic church-wide activities and events. For parents with small children, a nursery is available during all church services, with carefully-screened staff.
First Baptist Church can be reached from eastbound Highway 169 or East 41st Street, and there you will find well-maintained, comfortable facilities which are easily handicap accessible. Our worship services include traditional music, gifted musicians, and a focus on Bible preaching. Visitors are welcome to join us for worship and meet our warm and friendly congregation.
First Baptist Church is an independent, fundamental Baptist church affiliated nationally with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, and on the state level with the Minnesota Association of Regular Baptist Churches. It is the mission of the church to carefully preach and teach the Bible so that people will understand and believe the Gospel message of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, and so that believers will want to live and minister in accordance with God’s Word. To accomplish that purpose, the church holds a full slate of weekly church services, plus many other special ministries at various times throughout the year. Since the 1970's the church has conducted a summer camp program (Camp Swampy) from its own facilities on Little Harriet Lake. Besides ministering to children through Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Camp Swampy, the church also has ministries for teens (youth group and special activities), for women (monthly women’s Bible studies as well as hands-on projects), and for seniors (fellowship and activities), besides a variety of periodic church-wide activities and events. For parents with small children, a nursery is available during all church services, with carefully-screened staff.
First Baptist Church can be reached from eastbound Highway 169 or East 41st Street, and there you will find well-maintained, comfortable facilities which are easily handicap accessible. Our worship services include traditional music, gifted musicians, and a focus on Bible preaching. Visitors are welcome to join us for worship and meet our warm and friendly congregation.
Our Beliefs
For the sake of brevity, here is a summary list of the doctrinal beliefs of First Baptist Church:
WE BELIEVE the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, to be divinely inspired, inerrant, and only infallible Word of God.
WE BELIEVE that there is one triune God as revealed in the Bible, eternally existent in the persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one, but distinct in person and function.
WE BELIEVE God the Father is the first person of the trinity. As infinite Spirit, He is the source, support, and end of all things. He is the creator, speaker of revelation, author of redemption, and sovereign of history.
WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is the second person of the trinity. We believe in His deity, his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, His bodily resurrection, and His bodily ascension to the right hand of God the Father.
WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity. He is the agent of conviction, regeneration, indwelling, baptism, sanctification, and illumination of all who are born into God’s family through Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE the universe and everything in it was created by God in six literal 24-hour days.
WE BELIEVE that salvation is the free gift of God received only by repentance and personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work.
WE BELIEVE in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost. Those who are saved will be raised to eternal life, and those who are lost will be raised to eternal damnation.
WE BELIEVE that God has ordained the local church for the perpetuation of His truth and work in the world.
WE BELIEVE in the literal, visible return of our Savior, Jesus Christ for all believers. The rapture of the saints will be followed by the Lord’s wrath upon the unbelieving world.
WE BELIEVE in a personal new birth. We believe that in order to be saved from Hell, all men must be born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son. The new birth is a result of repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE in the blood atonement for sin. The salvation of sinners is wholly by grace, that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, shedding His blood on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice.
For a more detailed doctrinal statement, you can view the Articles of Faith of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (the association of churches with which we fellowship). Click here:
To obtain a copy of our own detailed doctrinal statement, go to the "Contact" page to request it.
WE BELIEVE the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, to be divinely inspired, inerrant, and only infallible Word of God.
WE BELIEVE that there is one triune God as revealed in the Bible, eternally existent in the persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one, but distinct in person and function.
WE BELIEVE God the Father is the first person of the trinity. As infinite Spirit, He is the source, support, and end of all things. He is the creator, speaker of revelation, author of redemption, and sovereign of history.
WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is the second person of the trinity. We believe in His deity, his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, His bodily resurrection, and His bodily ascension to the right hand of God the Father.
WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity. He is the agent of conviction, regeneration, indwelling, baptism, sanctification, and illumination of all who are born into God’s family through Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE the universe and everything in it was created by God in six literal 24-hour days.
WE BELIEVE that salvation is the free gift of God received only by repentance and personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work.
WE BELIEVE in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost. Those who are saved will be raised to eternal life, and those who are lost will be raised to eternal damnation.
WE BELIEVE that God has ordained the local church for the perpetuation of His truth and work in the world.
WE BELIEVE in the literal, visible return of our Savior, Jesus Christ for all believers. The rapture of the saints will be followed by the Lord’s wrath upon the unbelieving world.
WE BELIEVE in a personal new birth. We believe that in order to be saved from Hell, all men must be born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son. The new birth is a result of repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE in the blood atonement for sin. The salvation of sinners is wholly by grace, that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, shedding His blood on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice.
For a more detailed doctrinal statement, you can view the Articles of Faith of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (the association of churches with which we fellowship). Click here:
To obtain a copy of our own detailed doctrinal statement, go to the "Contact" page to request it.
To receive a PDF copy of our church Articles of Faith, please go to our "Contact" page and request a copy.