Bicentennial Events
For a complete list of all the events to celebrate our Bicentennial year in 2022 click the link below:
For current and upcoming events please see our latest Newsletter!
200th Anniversary Celebration
First Baptist Church was chartered on August 3, 1822. We commemorated that date on August 3, 2022 with a gathering in our beautiful sanctuary. This event included a proclamation from the Mayor’s office, recognition of the church by the American Baptist Historical Society, a brief telling of our rich history by Rev. Bill Deans and a re-dedication of the ministry of FBC. A reception followed.
Sweet Breeze Canal Boat ride for First Baptist members – September 7, 2022
Followed by dinner at Hall’s Gas House.
Old Fort Worship Service – September 25, 2022
We celebrated our founding with worship at the historic Old Fort with dinner following at the church.
Combined Worship Service with Burmese Christian Fellowship – October 16, 2022
We celebrated our international connection with our Burmese friends at their worship service followed by dinner provided by the Burmese congregation.
Recent Past Events
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes 2022
1,271 shoeboxes packed!
Pathfinders Chili Supper and Auction for Missions 2022
Our generous craft item donators and bidders helped us raise $1,463.50 for local, state, national, and international missions!
Trunk or Treat 2022
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes 2021
1,202 shoeboxes packed!
Pathfinder Chili Supper and Auction for Missions 2021
We raised over $2000 and had about 40 people attend our 2021 annual event.
Trunk or Treat 2021
Approximately 300 kids visited our p;parking lot and 12 cars passed out candy and goodies.
Another Baptism!
On March 15th, 2020 we baptized Caleb Caldwell
BAPTISM!
On February 16, 2020 we had the honor of baptizing Mark Buecker!
Christmas Child Shoe Boxes 2020
Once again the congregation has gone above and beyond to fill 1059 shoeboxes for children all over the world in 2020!
Chili Supper and Auction 2019
The Annual Chili Supper and Craft Auction was held Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 5 PM – 8 PM. This event is sponsored by the Pathfinders Sunday School class. Over $2200 was raised to support missions and benevolence.
Global Christian Fellowship Thanksgiving Without Borders
Fort Wayne Baptist Church hosted International students and their friends and supporters through a partnership with the Fort Wayne GCF on November 17th at 5pm. We had over 50 in attendance!
TRUNK OR TREAT 2019
In spite of bad weather we had about 300 kids come through our indoor Trunk or Treat.
BINGO With Residents of Byron Health Center 2019
Whitmer Family Shares Experiences in Thailand
On October 16th the church was pleased to have the Kyle and Debby Whitmer and their daughters Julia and Emma with us for our Wednesday night activities and a crowd of about 21 people. Debby and Kyle serve the Thai Karen Baptist Convention (TKBC) Siloam Bible Institute in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where they work in pastoral education and leadership development. Young people from the Karen ethnic group attend the school with the goal of following the call of God on their lives to be pastors and evangelists among the Karen villages in the hills of Thailand. Kyle is also involved in continuing education with TKBC pastors and evangelists. Debby is providing worship leadership to conferences in the area and helping with the English language program at Siloam. The Witmers continue discipleship with their own children through homeschooling.
If you want to learn more about the work of these ABC missionaries or to contribute to their work please go to their page on the ABC international missions site.
Blessing of the Backpacks 2019
Cub Scout Presentation
In May Don Schaab and Pastor Scott worked with Tye Cremins on the God and Family study as part of his Cub Scout training. They met each week to talk about how our family influences our faith and studied Biblical examples of families and faith. Tye also completed the God and Family workbook. Tye has earned the God and Family Emblem and badge. It was presented to him by the Pastor during the morning service on July 21, 2019. We pray that Tye will continue to experience the joy and blessings of family as he seeks to grow in God’s love.
May 2019 Baptism!
April 2019 Baptisms!
Easter Breakfast
We had a great time at our Easter Breakfast in 2019.
Good Friday
We had 20 people at our Good Friday service! Look for expanded Holy Week activities next year.
Palm Sunday
On April 21 2019 the Pastor and five kids marched into the sanctuary with palms and hosannas!
Praying for Burma
March 10th 2019 is the Global Day of Prayer for Burma. Fort Wayne Baptist has a long history of connection with the Burmese. Please join us in praying for our brothers and sisters with this prayer guide:
Shoe Boxes Ready to Go! 11/7/2018
More than 21 Helpers over countless days have produced 900+ Shoe boxes for needy boys and girls all over the world. Thank you for all who donated your time and money:
Blessing of the Hats, 10/7/2018
As part of our Samaritan’s Purse shoebox ministries we blessed these hats, the hands that made them, and the heads they would warm.
Installation, 9/9/2018
Pastor Scott Carter was formally Installed on September 9th. Phyllis Goodyear, regional minster for the American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky gave the charge and performed the ceremony. Dinner followed.
THE CHARGE TO THE PASTOR
Numbers 27:17 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint someone over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep without a shepherd.’ God has accomplished that in the calling of Scott Richardson to be your pastor.
Questions for the Pastor Leader: Scott, in the presence of this assembly will you commit yourself to this new trust and responsibility, in the confidence that it comes from God through the call of the church?
Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.
Leader: Will you preach and teach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and will you carry out this ministry in partnership with the ABC of IN-KY and ABCUSA?
Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.
Leader: Will you be diligent in your study of the Holy Scriptures? Will you love, serve, and pray for God’s people, nourish them with the word and lead them by your own example in faithful service and holy living?
Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.
Leader: May God, who has given you the will to do these things, graciously give you the strength and compassion to perform them.
People respond: Amen.
Questions for the Congregation
Congregation stands.
Leader: People of God, will you receive Scott as a messenger of Jesus Christ sent to serve all people with the gospel of hope and salvation? Will you regard him as a servant of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God?
Congregation: We will, and we ask God to help us.
Leader: Will you pray for him, help him, and honor him, so that he may fulfill all that you and God are calling him to do? And in all things, will you strive to live together in the peace and unity of Christ?
Congregation: We will, and we ask God to help us.
Let us pray: Almighty God, in every age you have chosen servants to speak your Word, and to lead your people. We thank you for Scott, called by you and by this church. In your goodness O Lord, give him the Shepherd’s heart and the Prophet’s voice. May he lead with strength and compassion. May he be true and faithful to you and to his people. Fill him with your Spirit that he may have the same mind that is in Christ Jesus, in whose Name we pray. Amen.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Head of the Church, we who are present here today recognize that you, the Rev. Scott Carter, are the pastor of this congregation
Blessing of the Backpacks, 8/12/2018
A Litany for Blessing of the Backpacks
Leader: When it’s the night before going to school, and I’m picking out my clothes and making sure I have all my school supplies…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m waking up and eating a healthy breakfast to start the day…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m getting on the school bus or being driven to school…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I meet my teachers and new friends in my class…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m playing with my friends at recess…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m finding the right school bus to ride home…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m telling my family about my day at school…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m praying at night and thanking God for my family, my friends and my school…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: Let’s pray together:
All: Thank you, Jesus, for always being by my side. I know that if I get nervous or afraid, you will be there with me. When I see the cross on my backpack, I will remember that you are always with me. I know that I can talk with you any time – day or night – and for that I am so thankful. I pray this all in your name. Amen.