First Baptist Church

Information may not be reliable

I am married to Vicki; father of Sarah and Rachel. As of the first of October I am serving as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Baxley, GA.I graduated from Mercer University (1977) and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1980).I am a former Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lakeland, Lakeland GA, Second Baptist Church of Rockmart, Rockmart, GA. Cedar Valley Baptist Church, Montezuma, GA, Radium Springs Baptist Church, Albany, GA, and Rosemont Heights Baptist Church, Waynesboro, GA.
David began his service as interim music minister in Feburary of 2010. David has an extensive background in music and theatre. He has entertained crowds in 41 states and also Canada. He has had wonderful success with two major solo recordings "reflections & memories" and most recently "Remember when". David is currently the Assistant Principal- Director of Instruction at Appling County High School.
Thanksgiving Day Meal ministryfrom 10am-2pm

25 21 16 PreSchoolDec 4th- Breakfast with Santa 8:30am-10:30amPreSchool and ChildrenDec 22nd- Caroling and Pizza 4:30pm-7:30pm
Upcoming EventsOctober:23rd- Cook out and Scavenger Hunt at the Copelands 11am-until29th- Football game in Vidalia and Lock-in 6:30pm-untilNovember:25th- Thanksgiving Day Meal MinistryDecember:10th-12th- Walk Through Bethlehem
Dianne serves as our Childrens Ministry Coordinator. Dianne has been a part of our congregation for over 25 years, where she has served in many different ministries. She is married to Anthony Ball and they have four children, Jerrod Ball, Jordan Ball and Jenna Ball all of Baxley and Jacob and Katie Ball from Starke Fla. Dianne is a graduate of Section High School in Section Alabama & graduate of the Ft. Payne School of Nursing in Ft. Payne Alabama. Dianne enjoys writing, teaching & spending time with the young ones; she enjoys playing softball as well as other sports. She loves the mountains and enjoys fishing. Dianne loves spending time with her family.

Vernon began his service in August of 2007. He is married to the former Jackie Lightsey. They have three children: Kyle, Kacey, and Lucas; and two granddaughters: Emily and Gracey. He enjoys shopping at flea markets, buying groceries, and cooking.
Claire first began her service in 1965 and has served in a full-time position since 1985. She teaches piano lessons and is married to Kenneth Tanner, a retired Georgia Power employee. They have two children: Jeff Tanner and Tamela Folsom; three grandsons and two granddaughters: Payne Ivie, Pierce & Abbigayle Tanner, Tanner & Anna Kate Folsom. Claires hobbies are working in the yards and collecting depression era glassware.
Gail grew up in First Baptist Church. She began part-time service at twelve years old and served periodically from then through her college years. She began full-time service in the early 1970s. Gail teaches mathematics and physics at the high school and was married to the late Jerry Carter, a retired high school English teacher. They have one son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy & Emily Carter.
Elesa began her service in June of 1990. She has been a resident of Appling County since 1973. Her family includes three children: Christy, Joshua, and Caleb. Her hobbies are birding, enjoying nature, and collecting Peanuts memorabilia. She is an avid Wal-Mart shopper and enjoys spending time with her family.
Laura began her service in January of 2009. She has been a resident of Appling County since 1976. She is married to Robert Bruce. They have been married for sixteen years. They have two daughters: Kaitlin and Jesse Riane. Her hobbies are reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Jason began his service with First Baptist Church in September of 2008. He is married to Ryan Ledbetter, and they have 2 sons, Knox and Nolan. Jason enjoys spending time with his family and friends. His hobbies include participating in sporting activities, watching college football and giving pitching and hitting leesons to kids and youth of all ages.

Statement of Basic BeliefsWe affirm the Holy Bible as the inspired word of God and the basis of our beliefs. This church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of The Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1963. We voluntarily band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind. The ordinances of the church are Believer's Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Our History In 1880 First Baptist Church of Baxley, Georgia was organized with the following charter members: Mr. & Mrs. J. Isham Carter, Mr. & Mrs. John W. Carter, Mr. T.H. Carter, Mr. W.J. Carter, Mr. & Mrs. John Hamilton, Mr. & Mrs. George Herndon, Mr. & Mrs. H.M. Herndon, Mr. & Mrs. William C. Parker, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Parker, and Mr. W.H. Parker. This was ten years after the Southern Railroad completed this section of Georgia when Baxley was known as Station No. 7, and five years after Baxley became the county seat of Appling County. Also, in 1880 the first Sunday School in Baxley was organized in a small school building with W.C. Carter, three women, and twelve children as members. The first church building for First Baptist was erected on the north end of North Main Street at the time of the organization of the church. The congregation grew rapidly and it was soon necessary to build a larger church. It was said that the noise of a grist mill across the street from the church interfered with the Saturday services so an alternate location was selected for the new building. In 1890 the church's present site was purchased by William C. Parker and Co., who "in consideration of the love they have for Christ and His Kingdom on earth" gave the land to the deacons of the church. The second church building was completed free of all indebtedness and dedicated on March 12, 1893. The first youth organization at First Baptist was started in 1898 as B.Y.P.U. (Baptist Young People's Union). In 1902 the Convention minutes listed Baxley Baptist with a Ladies Missionary Society. The church had preaching one Sunday a month until 1904 when Rev. Jessie M. Gilmore became pastor and services were held two Sundays each month. In 1911 Rev. E.F. Rice was made full time pastor holding services every Sunday. On November 29, 1925 under the leadership and inspiration of Rev. Zach Everett Barron, the church voted unanimously to build a new church plant. The old building was moved to a lot behind the courthouse and used for services while the new building was under construction. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on November 21, 1926. The building was completed and opened for worship on Sunday, July 10, 1927. Rev. Barron preached the dedicatory sermon on May 7, 1939. It was said on that day by members of the church "that every brick in the building was laid in the prayers of Zach Barron". The auditoriums were air conditioned in 1955. In 1957, under the leadership of L. Bert Joyner, a two story brick educational building was constructed. Air conditioning was added in 1961. The pipe organ was installed in the sanctuary in 1962. The church purchased additional properties surrounding the church as membership continued to grow and additional space was necessary to enlarge its present facilities and for parking. For many years the two story Dunn House was used for Sunday School classes.On November 12, 1989 the church initiated a Forward in Faith program to raise funds to begin construction of a ground level sanctuary. A reassesment committee determined the priority of a new fellowship hall in 1992. The new fellowship hall building with kitchen, stage and offices was constructed in 1994 under the leadership of Rev. James Dant. The addition of an elevator structure was completed in 1998 during the interim of Rev. Virlon Griner.First Baptist Church has always been a strong supporter of missions. The church has sponsored two missions, one which began as Dunn Memorial Baptist Church in the forties while Guy Atkinson was pastor. The other, Riverside Mission, began when Hugh Garner was pastor in the sixties. A scholarship fund for seminary students from First Baptist was put into the budget in 1998.First Baptist Church was a member of the Piedmont Association until 1894 when the Consolation Association was organized. Since 1894, it has been a member of the Consolation Association.Over the long history of First Baptist Church many outstanding men have served as pastor: James F. Reeves, George A. Blount, A.R. Richardson, M.O. Carpenter, L.A. Cooper, Jessie M. Gilmore, J.A.J. Dumas, Joseph A. Ansley (1909-10), E. F. Rice (1910-12), R.J. Mincey (1912-14), W.J. Ballew (1914-17), R.L. Bonsteel (1917-19), B.D. Porter (1919-22), Rufus D. Hodges (1922-24), Zach E. Barron (1925-29), Walter B. Feagins (1930-37), Ernest A. Kilgore (1938-43), Guy N. Atkinson (1943-48), Charles D. Stewart (1949-53), L. Bert Joyner (1953-60), Hugh P. Garner (1961-64), Ernest L. Carswell (1964-69), David B. Howle (1969-72), Cecil D. McCollum (1973-78), James W. Howard (1979-85), Julian Griner (1986-90), James C. Dant (1991-1997), James A.Meadows (1999-2009). Dr. Ches Smith (2009-2010). Rev. Keith Alderman (2010-Present)
Contact UsFirst Baptist Church15 N. Main StBaxley, Ga 31515Office: (912)367-2738 Fax: (912)367-2732DIRECTIONS
This Month This Month Our PurposeMission StatementFirst Baptist Church is a community of Christians dedicated toliving and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:44-47Vision StatementAs a community of Christian believers, First Baptist Churchseeks to live and share the love of Jesus Christ throughworship, prayer, fellowship, teaching, and service.
Our Purpose l Global