Our story:
After twelve churches in twenty-five years of moving around the country with the United States Navy, my wife, Cindy, and I are members of Alabama’s first Baptist Church, over 200 years strong. Home to a remarkable music ministry, with a beautiful choir, classic pipe organ, orchestra and extensive ministry outreach to musicians around the world, the church captured our hearts twelve years ago.
First Baptist puts a major focus on mission work—in Alabama, across the nation and around the world. Through their ministry work, lives are touched with the message of Jesus Christ in our community through an active community service ministry, in Alabama with outreach missions to needy peoples within our reach, and outside the United States in Canada, Guatemala, West Africa and Southeast Asia.
Their motto:
Our service:
Cindy serves as a pianist and accompanist with the First Baptist Orchestra for worship and their amazing annual Living Christmas Tree celebration of Christmas music. Together we have served in children’s Sunday School and I’ve taught many classes on the Bible, witnessing, and “Understanding Islam” for adult Sunday School classes over the past decade. My heart is in teaching, and in mentoring adults and students who want to learn how to share their faith with others. It’s through sacrificial service, and through the fellowship of the saints—in community with your brothers and sisters in Christ—that you come to better understand the joy of being a follower of Jesus.
My advice to you:
- Find a church home in your community where you can serve—not simply be served.
- Commit to a ministry activity early in your experience in that church home and you’ll find some of the deepest friendships you’ve ever experienced, and some of the most rewarding moments of your life.
- Commit to be a tither: 10% of your income dedicated to the work of your church. Watch in wonder at how God stretches and blesses you through committed service and faithful stewardship.