Growing in knowledge and service to our Lord and Savior
Preschool
First-Time Guests
Welcome! Please stop by the Preschool Welcome Desk to check in your child. Fill out our Information Card and you will receive a security nametag. Then, we’ll show you where your child’s class is located and introduce you to his or her teachers.
If you have an infant or toddler, please complete one more card that will be placed in the crib or diaper bag. This will help us better care for your child.
Nursing Room
This room is provided so mothers can have privacy while feeding their children. It’s equipped with a changing table, diaper-changing supplies, and an adult restroom.
Sundays
Preschool Connections Groups | 8:15am | 9:30am | 10:45am
Preschoolers (Babies – Kindergartners) attend classes while their parents are in Connections Groups or worship. Teachers prepare for the sessions using a curriculum called Gospel Project for Kids from LifeWay Christian Resources.
Each age group participates in planned learning activities based on a central Bible teaching truth/verse and a Bible story. They also hear the biblical message on their level of understanding. We want children to value coming to church. Parents will receive a take-home page designed to help them reinforce the biblical message throughout the week.
Wednesdays
Childcare (Birth—Age 2) | 6:00pm—8:00pm
Childcare is provided to support Bible studies, training, and ministry-related meetings. If your child is placed in childcare, we ask that you be on campus and involved in ministry.
Safety and Security
Our top priority is for every child to hear God’s Word in a fun and secure environment.
The Children’s Ministry staff and volunteers have been screened through a background check and trained in safety procedures to provide your family with security as you attend worship or Bible study.
Children (1st-6th Grade)
First-Time Guests
Welcome! We’re happy that you’re going to visit! Please stop by the Children’s Welcome Desk on the second floor to check your child in. We’ll also show you where your child’s class is located and introduce you to his or her teachers.
Sundays
Children’s Connection Groups | 9:30 am
Children in grades K-5 Bible study God’s Word, have fun and build friendships. These classes offer a safe, comfortable environment conducive to kids sharing and growing together. Teachers prepare to teach using a curriculum called The Gospel Project for Kids from LifeWay Christian Resources.
Each age group participates in planned learning activities based on a central Bible teaching truth/verse and a Bible story. They will also hear the biblical message on their level of understanding. We want children to value coming to church.
Parents will receive a take-home page designed to help them reinforce the biblical message the child learned during their Connection Group.
Fun In the Son Day
Fun In the Son is a free 12-week, Christ-centered, summer Wednesday evening ministry for children who have completed kindergarten through sixth grade. Students will have a fun-filled schedule to choose from which involves: Life Lessons from the Bible, fun activities, snacks, and occasional excursions to fun places! Fun in The Son is scheduled weekly on Wednesdays beginning at 6:15-7:15 pm from mid-May through mid-August.
Safety and Security
Our top priority is for every child to hear God’s Word in a fun and secure environment.
The Children’s Ministry staff and volunteers have been screened through a background check and trained in safety procedures to provide your family with security as you attend worship or Bible study.
Students (7th-12th Grade)
The Student Ministry at First Baptist is here to help your students embrace the life God has for them as they believe, belong, and become who He wants them to be. Small groups are a great opportunity to interact with other students, study God’s Word together, and develop godly relationships. We have opportunities for our Students on Sundays and Wednesdays weekly.
Sundays
9:30 am | Fellowship Hall | Grades 7—12
Sunday morning Connect groups are the primary places where we engage students in Bible study and community. Each leader and group offers a unique approach to investing in your teenager and connecting you with what’s happening in that group. We have classes for every grade on Sunday mornings. We encourage all students to be involved in a Connect group to engage in Bible study, get connected, and build community.
Wednesdays
6:15 pm—7:15 pm
The Mid-Week Worship is held at our Recreation Building at 1701 Plattin Road and is a gathering time for students to connect with others and with God. Each week one of our Student leaders teaches students a passage in the Bible that relates to real life and real change.
After Mid-Week Worship, students are welcome to hang out with friends, play games, basketball, volleyball, ping pong, or pool to unwind from the stress of the week.
Events & Activities
Each month we will have a different activity or event. Events and activities range from fellowships, Disciple Now, retreats, concerts, local outreach opportunities, summer camps, and mission trips.
Adults
We want to help our big church feel much smaller so that you can find a place to belong. One way this happens is by helping you connect with a small group of people regularly to study the Word and do life together. We call these Connections groups. Connections meet on Sundays at 9:30 am
We have groups for couples and singles at various stages in life. To find a group, visit the Welcome Center located outside the lobby for information.
We offer various Women’s and Men’s Bible studies; support groups for those who are suffering from grief over the death of a loved one; those struggling with being separated or divorced; and we partner with Dave Ramsey by hosting Financial Peace University to help people realize financial independence.
Men’s Ministry
The purpose of our Men’s Ministry is to encourage and equip men to evangelize the lost, develop Godly character through a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, and enable them to minister to others through service.
We strive to:
- Introduce men to Jesus Christ with community-wide fellowship events
- Give men the opportunity to develop spiritually through Bible study and small group meetings
- Share the love of Jesus Christ in our community with service projects and short-term mission opportunities
Just some of our regular ministries include:
- Annual Fellowship Events
- Weekly Bible studies in the fall and spring
- Weekly prayer groups
If you are interested in learning more about one of the activities for Men’s Ministry, email firstbaptist@fbcfcc.org or call the church office at 636-937-3668.
Women’s Ministry
The Women’s Ministry helps women build real connections with each other and a deeper relationship with God. You’ll find that the heart behind this ministry is the unconditional love of Jesus—and you will see that in everything they do. There are many ways to get involved including Bible studies that are uniquely tailored for women, fun events with well-known speakers, and weekly Connection Groups that allow you to be yourself.
- Annual Women of Joy retreat in Branson, MO
- Weekly Bible studies
- Weekly Women’s Prayer Group
- Fellowships throughout the year for ladies and couples
For more information about Women’s Ministry events and schedules email firstbaptist@fbcfcc.org or call the church office at 636-937-3668.
Senior Adults
Welcome! We are glad you’re here. We would also love the opportunity to get to know you better! If you’re planning on visiting one of our worship services on Sunday morning, please fill out the communications card you’ll receive there. It will help us connect with you, or get you connected to a Connections Group(Sunday School).
Our Senior Adults enjoy a quarterly luncheon for fellowship; check the schedule for details.
Our Seniors also stay active with monthly day trips to interesting, fun, and exciting places within Missouri and Illinois. The cost to attend varies but is very affordable and usually covers the cost of admission.
In addition to monthly trips, they have gone on multi-day trips to places like Philadelphia, PA; Washington D.C., the Ark Experience in Kentucky, and Branson, MO. These trips provide opportunities for Seniors to fellowship and make new friends while being inspired by the sights to see!
Missions
Missions have been a part of First Baptist Church for nearly all of its 130-year history with countless church plants and endeavors around the world. This is why we’re constantly engaged in our community and our world through serving others and sharing Christ with them. You can help us change the world around us.
Pray
One of the most important things you can do is pray—for our unconnected neighbors, our missionaries, and our ministry partners. For the past several years, a faithful group of mission prayer warriors has gathered every Sunday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. to intercede for our mission efforts.
Give
Not everyone can go on a mission trip or dedicate their career to missions but we can all give to support those in our church and some 5000 missionaries the Southern Baptist Convention supports around the world. Part of every dollar you give goes to missionary efforts plus you can designate gifts to missionary efforts for here at our church or around the world.
Go
Short Term Journeys
Each year, many of our members travel here and around the globe on mission journeys and short-term trips to a specific location to serve a people group in a particular way. We equip our members to make a real-time contribution during their journey to our ministry partners on the ground to further their ministry. Our church has been to Africa, Mexico, Canada, Ecuador, and El Salvador partnering with locals to reach their neighbors with the gospel of Jesus.
We currently are in partnership with Pray for El Salvador ministries that seeks to spread the gospel of Jesus to the whole country with evangelistic events that support local churches.
Homeless Ministry
Our homeless ministry exists to help the homeless get relief and ultimately find a home! We have a special outreach day every Thursday between 1 and 3 pm to give the homeless a free hot meal, shower, free clothing, snacks, blankets, tents, and such to help them get by. We want to help end homelessness for as many as we can. We partner with several social organizations that meet with the individual every Thursday to evaluate their situation and help them get connected with appropriate organizations that can get them into permanent housing. We have seen many get housing and the help they need!
Worship
Psalm 105 “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; proclaim His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell about all his wonderful works!”
The goal of the First Baptist Festus Crystal worship ministry is to glorify Christ. We do this through proclaiming and singing who He is and what He has done. Our musical worship is led by a praise team, praise band, worship choir, and media/tech team. If you would like to learn more about opportunities to serve in one of these areas, please contact the church office and speak with our Music and Worship Pastor, Aaron Walden.
Child Safety Statement and Information
First Baptist Church is committed to the safety, welfare, and protection of all children and youth participating in the activities and programs of this church. This policy is intended to protect both the children and volunteer workers and is intended to be a helpful resource in addressing the issues of child safety. Throughout this policy, the terms “child,” “children,” and “youth” refer to all persons under eighteen (18) years of age. Children’s programs at FBC include infant – 6th grade, and youth programs and activities involve grades 7-12. The standards implemented in this Child Protection Policy seek to uphold our commitment to the safety of the children and youth of FBC, whether members or guests. This policy governs all volunteers enlisted to work with children and youth in positions filled by the Nominating Committee.
Volunteer Information
Thank you for your desire to work with children at First Baptist Church. All adult volunteers 18 years of age and older, who work with minors below 18 years of age, are required to have a background check. The check is totally confidential, will take approximately five minutes, and is done at no cost to you. To take your background check please click here: Background Check