We are a conservative, independent Baptist Church.
By conservative we mean that we have a very high regard for God’s Word. We believe that Scripture is our infallible revelation of God’s will and our guide to life. The Bible ought to be received at face value and trusted as historically accurate. We believe that God’s morality doesn’t change with changing times, and that His Word should always be our standard, not the shifting opinions of society. God’s word is active and powerful. It is the instrument by which the Holy Spirit speaks to human hearts, reveals Jesus Christ to us, and teaches us how to please God. It trains us in holiness and righteousness, helps us defeat sin, and tells us about the Kingdom of Christ to come. If all that is so, then all that remains is for it to be taught! Therefore, expository Bible teaching is the main thrust of our ministry.
By independent we mean that we are not formally affiliated with any ecclesiastical denomination. This does not at all mean that we regard ourselves as self-sufficient—only self-governing, under the guidance of God and accountable to Him. “No man is an island,” and neither is any church! Connections with other Bible-believing churches are a vital influence in the life of any local congregation. “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). Unfortunately, in a denomination, a church is by default linked with straying, and even apostate congregations. There is also a denominational hierarchy consisting of people with dramatically varying levels of commitment to God’s truth. We have found it best to let the Spirit of Jesus, rather than our church’s denominational history, determine our course here. And so in response to an increasingly liberal tilt, we withdrew from our denomination in 2011.
By Baptist we mean that baptism is an act of voluntary obedience to the Lord Jesus, undergone at the time of one’s initial public confession of faith. It is “the pledge of a good conscience toward God” (1 Peter 3:21), that is, a sign of one’s acceptance of salvation, and commitment to walk in His ways henceforth. Therefore it is suitable for people who can comprehend and receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ of their own free will (thus excluding infants). Since baptism is a symbolic enactment of burial and resurrection (death of the old, birth of the new), it ought to be by immersion, unless this is impossible for some reason.
Through the years, First Baptist has experienced its ups and downs, like many churches. High attendance, low attendance; spiritual strength, spiritual weakness. We are presently small, but our focus is in the right place: being disciples of Jesus Christ, trusting Him alone for our salvation, and learning His Word together. If you want to learn God’s Word and be a part of a close, family-like congregation, come pay us a visit!
Our present congregation averages about 40. Our worship style is what they call “Traditional,” meaning that we sing hymns with piano accompaniment (or sometimes piano-and-organ), but we don’t have a worship band. We have a small choir that presents special music twice a month.
Pastor Aleksander Saar has been our minister since February of 2011. He has been associated with First Baptist since marrying into the congregation in 2000, and has formerly served as organist and deacon. He and his wife Danielle have three sons. His education is from Northwestern University (Chemical Engineering), and he received his theological training (B.A., Biblical Studies; M.A., Pastoral Ministry) at Trinity College of the Bible and Seminary (Evansville, Indiana).
Sunday School meets at 9:45. We have an Elementary class (up to 4th grade), Teen class (5th to 8th grade), a Men’s class and a Women’s class (9th grade and up).
After many years of not holding a Sunday evening service, we started them up again in 2011, and they are one of our favorite times of the week, capping off the Lord’s Day with some songs, prayer, and another helping of the Word of God, followed by coffee and dessert. We are one of only a few churches in Bridgeton that offer an evening service. Several people who attend other churches in the mornings have found our evening services a fine time of fellowship, and we have enjoyed forging these links with other parts of the Body of Christ. Every other Sunday night there is Kids’ Club (for youth 4 thru teen): a lesson, a game, and a craft or other activity. Even if you already have a church home, come visit us at 6 pm, Sunday nights!
We look forward to meeting you and growing together in Christ Jesus.
By conservative we mean that we have a very high regard for God’s Word. We believe that Scripture is our infallible revelation of God’s will and our guide to life. The Bible ought to be received at face value and trusted as historically accurate. We believe that God’s morality doesn’t change with changing times, and that His Word should always be our standard, not the shifting opinions of society. God’s word is active and powerful. It is the instrument by which the Holy Spirit speaks to human hearts, reveals Jesus Christ to us, and teaches us how to please God. It trains us in holiness and righteousness, helps us defeat sin, and tells us about the Kingdom of Christ to come. If all that is so, then all that remains is for it to be taught! Therefore, expository Bible teaching is the main thrust of our ministry.
By independent we mean that we are not formally affiliated with any ecclesiastical denomination. This does not at all mean that we regard ourselves as self-sufficient—only self-governing, under the guidance of God and accountable to Him. “No man is an island,” and neither is any church! Connections with other Bible-believing churches are a vital influence in the life of any local congregation. “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). Unfortunately, in a denomination, a church is by default linked with straying, and even apostate congregations. There is also a denominational hierarchy consisting of people with dramatically varying levels of commitment to God’s truth. We have found it best to let the Spirit of Jesus, rather than our church’s denominational history, determine our course here. And so in response to an increasingly liberal tilt, we withdrew from our denomination in 2011.
By Baptist we mean that baptism is an act of voluntary obedience to the Lord Jesus, undergone at the time of one’s initial public confession of faith. It is “the pledge of a good conscience toward God” (1 Peter 3:21), that is, a sign of one’s acceptance of salvation, and commitment to walk in His ways henceforth. Therefore it is suitable for people who can comprehend and receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ of their own free will (thus excluding infants). Since baptism is a symbolic enactment of burial and resurrection (death of the old, birth of the new), it ought to be by immersion, unless this is impossible for some reason.
Through the years, First Baptist has experienced its ups and downs, like many churches. High attendance, low attendance; spiritual strength, spiritual weakness. We are presently small, but our focus is in the right place: being disciples of Jesus Christ, trusting Him alone for our salvation, and learning His Word together. If you want to learn God’s Word and be a part of a close, family-like congregation, come pay us a visit!
Our present congregation averages about 40. Our worship style is what they call “Traditional,” meaning that we sing hymns with piano accompaniment (or sometimes piano-and-organ), but we don’t have a worship band. We have a small choir that presents special music twice a month.
Pastor Aleksander Saar has been our minister since February of 2011. He has been associated with First Baptist since marrying into the congregation in 2000, and has formerly served as organist and deacon. He and his wife Danielle have three sons. His education is from Northwestern University (Chemical Engineering), and he received his theological training (B.A., Biblical Studies; M.A., Pastoral Ministry) at Trinity College of the Bible and Seminary (Evansville, Indiana).
Sunday School meets at 9:45. We have an Elementary class (up to 4th grade), Teen class (5th to 8th grade), a Men’s class and a Women’s class (9th grade and up).
After many years of not holding a Sunday evening service, we started them up again in 2011, and they are one of our favorite times of the week, capping off the Lord’s Day with some songs, prayer, and another helping of the Word of God, followed by coffee and dessert. We are one of only a few churches in Bridgeton that offer an evening service. Several people who attend other churches in the mornings have found our evening services a fine time of fellowship, and we have enjoyed forging these links with other parts of the Body of Christ. Every other Sunday night there is Kids’ Club (for youth 4 thru teen): a lesson, a game, and a craft or other activity. Even if you already have a church home, come visit us at 6 pm, Sunday nights!
We look forward to meeting you and growing together in Christ Jesus.