During 2015, the leadership of First Baptist Church of Indianapolis used the following five words to illustrate our ministry and mission.
Inspired
Our Sunday worship themes included:
- The First Words of Jesus
- Questions Jesus Asked
- Drawing Outside the Lines
- Great & Small: Smaller Books of the Bible with Great Things to Share about God
- A Light for All People
We rejoice in the weekly intergenerational and multicultural expressions of our worship life together. We share communion and worship on the first Sunday of the month with First Karen Baptist Church.
Curious
In 2015 we became curious about the arts as a way to express our relationship with God and our own spirituality. We enjoyed “CREATE!” (A weekend focused on the Arts, Photography and Faith) under the leadership of Brad Berglund. We spent the summer in a new venture (FBCINDY Reads) with a special focus on the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird. With the leadership of the Ministry Resource Team we began to explore the challenges of our current building needs with an eye towards financial sustainability.
Welcoming
In 2015 we welcomed Beginnings parents and children to an updated facility, as well as to a much-needed, extended hours, child care program. We welcomed the Nora community to a new sidewalk and safer walkway along College Avenue. First Baptist Athletics continued to expand their program offerings as “The Place for Good Sports” to over 3000 participants. We continued to host and provide facilities and support for First Karen Baptist Church and the Burmese Center for Community Education. Every Sunday we welcomed new friends and provided warm hospitality to all.
Engaged
Our outreach team sponsored “Serve 2015” encouraging members to serve 2,015 hours OUTSIDE of the walls of FBC in the community. We heard many stories of how God is calling us to ministry beyond the doors of the church and the difference this makes in the lives of people all around us. The Crow Mission Team returned to Lodge Grass, Montana. Ten people served as delegates to the American Baptist Mission Summit in Kansas City, KS. And over 30 folks participated in an All Church Work Day where we cleaned and repaired church facilities both inside and out. We saw FBC members and friends engaged in mission from Kenya to Nicaragua to Green Lake, Wisconsin.
Generous
In April, we celebrated the legacy and generosity of members who remembered our church through financial gifts as part of their planned giving through wills and bequests. We intend for this Life Gift Sunday to become an annual event. In the fall of 2015 we introduced a new stewardship emphasis and noted the generosity of so many members and friends who are excited to say “I Am First Baptist!”
First Baptist Church continues to generously support ABC of Greater Indianapolis and ABCUSA in United Mission and American Baptist Mission Support through four special offerings: America For Christ, One Great Hour of Sharing, World Mission and the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Than You Offering.
We look forward to ministry in 2016!
April Giannini
Communications & Marketing Director, FBC of Indianapolis