Missions

 

	MISSION STATEMENT: In commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to the mission of the church, American Baptist Women's Ministries provides opportunities for each woman to become and develop as God's person, build God's faith community, and serve God's world.
Here at First Baptist, we have two women's circles: Alice Findley Circle    Edna Martin Circle   Women of all ages participate.  Leadership is also provided for American Baptist Women's Sunday.
Hurricane Katrina Relief Several members and friends of First Baptist have supported  "Project Reclaim", an American Baptist mission effort, in Pass Christian, Mississippi through several mission trips to the area.  The focus of the trips has been to rebuild homes in the town of Pass Christian.	Saturday Shoppers   For over 20 years members of First Baptist have provided a ministry to residents of apartment complexes downtown. At 8:30 every Saturday morning the van picks up residents, most of whom are elderly, to take them to the grocery story and to run other errands.  In addition, the group has special get togethers throughout the year, such as an annual Christmas Dinner.
Habitat for Humanity Pictures - August 26, 2006   CHURCHES JOIN HANDS TO BUILD HOME Published on August 14, 2006 © 2006- Evansville Courier & Press Byline:    SUSAN ORR, Courier & Press staff writer 461-0783 or orrs@courierpress.com Members of a dozen Christian congregations gathered under one roof Sunday in the name of Habitat for Humanity of Evansville. They were at First Baptist Church for a worship service to kick off Habitat's first-ever Apostle Build, a project that will unite the 12 groups in building a single home. With prayers, song and speeches, participants took part in a spiritual kickoff in advance of the official groundbreaking on Aug. 26. Habitat for Humanity of Evansville is a Christian organization that builds affordable housing in partnership with low-income families. Partner families must contribute 300 hours of "sweat equity" towards construction, and they must have the ability to make $260 monthly mortgage payments. Jim Prickett, pastoral assistant at Old North United Methodist Church and a longtime Habitat supporter, called the organization "the most important Christian ministry that I've ever been a part of." "We love others because God first loved us, and we put that love into motion," Prickett said. Apostle Build participants Participating Apostle Build churches are: American Baptist East, CenterPoint Community Church, Eastminster Presbyterian, First Baptist, First Seventh Day Adventist, Forest Hills Baptist, Korean Church of Evansville, North Park Baptist, Northside Congregational, Westminster Presbyterian and Westwood Baptist. Faith-based ministry The Potter's Wheel also is a participant. Each of the churches is contributing an equal share towards the $47,500 sponsorship cost, and The Potter's Wheel is providing an in-kind donation of food during each Saturday's work session. One purpose of Sunday's service was to introduce the various churches to each other. "Part of the essence of the (Habitat) ministry is to bring people together," said Sister Jane Michele McClure, Habitat for Humanity of Evansville's development director. "A lot of the churches are very engaged in mission work overseas, but they loved the idea of helping a family right here in our community," she said. The Apostle Build home, to be constructed on West Tennessee Street off First Avenue, will be the home of Patricia Richardson and her children -- a 5-month-old son, Elijah, and a 3-year-old daughter, Payton. Richardson, a school social worker at Washington Middle School, said she had applied for a Habitat home but kept her options open by also applying for a home loan. She was approved for a loan, but said that with day-care costs and student-loan payments, Habitat was her best chance at a home she could afford. "Even though I could get a (commercial) loan, I knew I couldn't afford the payments," Richardson said. In thanking the Apostle Build churches, Richardson urged the gathering to remember that every Habitat home represents the efforts and love of many volunteers. "I'm really so grateful," Richardson said. "A Habitat home is truly a blessing."