OUR HISTORY

“…and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18(b)

First Missionary Baptist church is the fruit of seeds sewn in 1895 when a sweet young lady named Elvira Parker came to Southern Pines with a vision from God. Each Sunday morning, she would walk throughout the community gathering children for a Bible study in her home. Mr. Charlie Boggan, a local black food store owner, saw what she was doing to help bring God’s word to the community and saw how much her ministry was growing. So he began assisting her, first by riding Ms. Parker and the children in his mule drawn wagon, then by opening his and his wife’s home to the Bible study meetings. Seeing their efforts continue to bear fruit, Ms. Parker and the Boggans were later joined by Jim Brown, Henry Petervine, John Battle, and Rev. Berry Hasty, along with other prominent figures in the community.

The ministry continued to grow until one day in 1897, it became necessary to build a new building to house the meetings. With the assistance of two deacons from a neighboring church in East Southern Pines, First Baptist in Manley, the ever growing Sunday school group was organized into what is now First Missionary Baptist Church and the cornerstone was laid.

God has been with us for over one hundred years. With His leadership, hundreds have come to know Him, found comfort and salvation through His word, and found Him to be their best friend. Pastor Joshua Haire and Assistant Pastor Allister Coleman pray that they will be worthy and able, with God’s constant leadership, to continue the work that began at First Missionary over a century ago and teach through word and deed about how to develop a personal relationship with God.

If you do not know Him for yourself, please visit First Missionary Baptist Church, and let us help you make His acquaintance.

OUR MISSION

At First Missionary Baptist Church, we believe that society cannot be changed until the family is changed. Every area of our ministry revolves around the value and importance of family and our roles as Christians within the family.

The direction of today's society is determined by the direction of the family. The Pastors find it not only necessary to teach and preach about the importance of family, but to be an example to every family, member, and friend of First Missionary Baptist Church.

WORSHIP SERVICES

First Missionary Baptist Church offers a traditional morning service beginning at 10:30 every Sunday with Pastor Joshua Haire presiding.

Mid-week Bible study offers an opportunity to dig deeper into the word in more of a classroom setting with Pastor Joshua Haire every Wednesday evening beginning at 7 pm. We hope to see you there!

Our Contemporary Service - Saturday Night Alive! - is every first and third Saturday of the month at 7 pm with Minister Michael Atkins bringing a fresh and exciting word.  It's "not your usual church service" with gospel rap, spoken word, and other ways of spreading God's message to those who may not feel completely at home in a traditional service.  Come as you are!

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