A Word from Dr. Jim Somerville, Pastor

I like to tell people we are the "Jimmy Carter kind of Baptists" and not the Jerry Falwell kind. 

Usually they get it right away.  

Not that I mean to slander Jerry Falwell, but his brand of Baptist Christianity is very different from that which we strive for at First Baptist Church.  Ours is more inclusive than exclusive, less interested in political power than the surprising, self-giving power of Jesus, more concerned with the total life of the person than with "saving souls."   It's much more like the faith of Jimmy Carter, who was a member of First Baptist Church during his four years as President.  Since then he has distinguished himself through his involvement in global peacemaking and programs like Habitat for Humanity.  He was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  He is an active member of his local Baptist church and an outspoken follower of Jesus Christ.  If we could be Christians like that I think we would be closer to what those early Baptists had in mind when they laid claim to the principles of religious freedom and individual responsibility.

First Baptist Church is known for creative, liturgical worship in one of the most beautiful Baptist churches ever built; for the diversity of its congregation, not only in age, gender, and ethnicity, but also in national origin; and for its commitment to mission and ministry that will impact the neighborhood, the city, the nation, and the world.

Check out the rest of our web site, and then come pay us a visit.  We'll save you a place on the "Jimmy Carter Pew."

Download  and Listen to Sermons (.mp3):

• Bapopresbycostal (July 15, 2003) 

PRINTED SERMONS:

• Stood Up....Again  (Easter  2003)

• Touching the Untouchable  (Feb. 16, 2003)

• Beasts and Angels (March 9, 2003)

• A Remarkable Thing Happened (November 24, 2002)

• Where Is the Treasure? (October 20, 2002)

• Into the Third Century (March 10, 2002)

• Rewind the Tape (Easter) (March 31, 2002)