First Baptist Church

"Sharing the WORD with the WORLD"

Our Philosophy Of Missions

    The First Baptist Church of Marilla believes that missions is the responsibility of every believer. Jesus said: "Go ye therefore and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15. While some are called of God into vocational missionary service, all are ordained to share the good news with those who are lost. The "world" that we must reach is right outside our doors.

    First of all, we must reach our own community with the Gospel. The lighthouse in Marilla must ever be pointing those in darkness to the Savior. (See our brochure entitled: "Outreach Ministries") At the same time, we must be supporting those who have devoted their lives to carrying the light to far distant places. About 20% of all offerings received at this church go directly to missionaries.

This past year our Church planting ministry in Carbondale, PA under James Schmidt, held their official Grand Opening Worship Service.

Our Missionary Emphasis

Missions Month

    Each year, the month of October is set aside as Missions Month. Each Sunday evening features a missionary speaker. It is our way of renewing our vision for the fields of the world.

Teen Missions Trips

    A group of young people from our church have the joy of experiencing missions work first hand in our annual teen missions trip. We are trying to expose youth to the needs of the world, so that God might call them into His harvest fields. Also, from time to time, college age young adults or eve retired adults, take short term missions trips, and we as a church help with 1/3 of their support.

Ways for our members to get involved!

The Missionary Cupboard

    One entire large room on the second floor of our building is devoted to storage of items for missionaries to use when they are home on furlough. All the items are brand new. Bed linens, towels, kitchen utensils, personal care items, maintenance supplies, recreational items, baby care items, office supplies, tools, and non-perishable food items are well stocked. Missionaries are delighted to go through the cupboard and choose items they need. Once each year, often at Christmas time, an appeal is made to our congregation to buy an item and donate it to the inventory on hand.

    Adopt -A - Missionary Program

    We encourage our people to write letters each month to our missionaries. This "adopt-a-missionary" idea fosters personal relationship building and is a good way to get your children interested in missions. It also motivates us to pray more specifically for missionary needs. Is there a missionary family you would like to write to each month? Contact our office for suggestions.

We also support the following institutions:

Shepherds Home                Cedarville College
Baptist Bible college          Practical Bible college
Bethany Camp                    Radio Bible Class
Empire State Fellowship     Life Savers Ministry

The Missions Committee

Mr. Charlie Woodard - deacon in charge of Missions
Mrs. Sue Woodard
Mr. Harold Gossell
Mrs. Phyllis Gossell
Mrs. Shirley Morris
Mr. Gordon Pike
Mrs. Myra Pike
Mr. Kenneth Hoehman
Pastor Richard Seefried
Mr. Bill Smith
Mrs. Anna Mae Smith

Serving the Lord together to enlarge our missionary outreach.