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Community
Ministries
Your Opportunity To Get
Involved!
Fort Walton First
Thank You Note
(click here to read)
Each fall First Baptist partners with
local agencies, schools, the city of FWB, and others to do a one day
mission project around our city. In 2007 there were
approximately 200
participants of all ages who painted homes and schools, mowed lawns, did landscaping, gave out food to
firemen and police officers, loved on nursing home residents, and
did many other things. Contact
Trisha Topicz for more information.
ttopicz@fbcfwb.org
Back-to-School Project
Low income families from around FWB receive free school supplies to
get ready for the new school year. Items include backpacks, paper,
notebooks, pens, crayons, and other items. Contact Brandon
Hutchinson at
bhutchinson@fbcfwb.org
for more information.
Homeless Ministry
First Baptist joined 6 other churches in 2006 who open their doors
as a homeless shelter when the temperature drops below 40 degrees.
Each church takes a different night of the week. Friday night is our
night, and we provide dinner, breakfast, a movie, and a warm place
to sleep. We opened 7 times in 2006/2007 with an average of around
65 homeless. We also host a Bible study each Sunday night at 6:00 PM
that focuses on issues related to those in need. Volunteers are
needed to provide food and man the shelter when open, and to provide
food for the Sunday night Bible study. For more information or to
volunteer to serve at the shelter contact Richard Enos at renos8@cox.net.
To volunteer to help with food at the Bible study contact Nancy Hale
at
hale32579@yahoo.com
Farm Day
Map to
Farm Day
Next fall (2008),
everyone is invited to the Rocking
B-A-B
Ranch in Defuniak Springs for an incredible day on the farm
with the goal that the world may know “who Jesus is”.
This
year there were approximately 2200 people of all ages involved!
There is always TONS of food, a petting zoo, horseback rides, a visiting
pirate who leads a treasure hunt, fireworks, a hayride, and who
knows what else? Bring your large side dish of food to
the table…hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.For more information
or to volunteer contact Bill Buckelew at
babuckelew@cox.net
Live Nativity
This is First Baptist’s opportunity to share the message of Jesus’
birth at Christmas. Locations have included Uptown Station and the
Santa Rosa Mall. Each night during the week before Christmas the
community stops by to pet animals, have their picture made in the
manger with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, drink hot chocolate and
coffee, and listen to great entertainment. This is FREE to the
community, and volunteers are always needed. For more information or
to volunteer contact Bob Bennett at
rebennett1@cox.net
Operation
Outreach
Operation Outreach is a visitation program designed to reach new
families who desire more information about our church. We are always
looking for volunteers will to be trained in the visitation process.
If you are interested in
serving in this exciting ministry, please contact
Trisha Topicz at the
church office
ttopicz@fbcfwb.org
or 243-3163.
International English School
The International English School at First Baptist Church has been
holding weekly classes since it began in 1964. Classes are held on
Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 during the public school year.
There are classes for seven different levels of English proficiency,
and a class for those seeking to take the exam for US citizenship.
Free van service for Fort Walton Beach and Mary Esther is provided,
as well as free child care for the children of students. Alice Stone
is the current director of the school and can be contacted at
651-2887 or
gtsto@cox.net
Transportation Ministry
The transportation ministry provides van and bus transportation for
church trips, but they are also available to pick up those who need
a ride to Sunday School and worship on Sunday mornings. If you would
like to volunteer as a driver, contact the
church.
Military Ministry
First Baptist has been working to increase our ministry to the many
families of our military who reside in the greater Fort Walton Beach
area. There is great need within our military community due to the
current war and the large number of military personnel who are
deployed from our area at any given time. If you would be interested
in serving in this ministry please contact Trisha
Topicz in the church office
ttopicz@fbcfwb.org
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Organizations
Supported
by First Baptist
Fresh Start
Fresh Start provides transitional housing for homeless women and
children and helps them get ready to move into a more permanent
living situation. Residents are allowed to stay six months and they
are required to set aside money each week so they will learn to save
and have something to begin their new life. The facility currently
has 12 apartments. First Baptist Church ministries to Fresh Start
include providing volunteers to sort clothes and work in the office,
doing light maintenance, and adult Sunday School classes are
adopting apartments to provide items such as pots and pans, rugs,
curtains and bedspreads as well as learn about the families and help
minister to them individually. First Baptist would also like to
bring a van to the facility each Sunday and invite the residents to
come to church. Contact Richard Enos at
renos1998@yahoo.com
to volunteer.
Children in Crisis
Children in Crisis is a charitable organization of caring people
working to provide homes and establish hope to the abused, neglected
and abandoned children in our community. There is a severe shortage
of foster homes and no emergency shelter for infants, toddlers and
young children exists. CIC is building a Children’s Neighborhood
with a shelter and group homes that will fill this need. First
Baptist will be working with CIC to collect toys, kitchen items, and
clothes to stock the emergency shelter and will be looking for other
ways to minister to the children. The facility
opened in February of this year. First Baptist serves as a
birthday partner for the month of April. Contact
Trish Topicz at
ttopicz@fbcfwb.org
for more information.
Sharing and Caring
Sharing and Caring provides food, clothing, and medications to the
poor and needy in the community. First Baptist is providing
volunteers to be on standby should the regular Sharing and Caring
volunteers need help. These volunteers will need to be trained to
either interview individuals in need or help work in the food
pantry. Please contact Richard Enos at
renos1998@yahoo.com
Shelter House
The Shelter House is an agency for victims of domestic violence in
Okaloosa and Walton counties. They provide emergency shelter at
undisclosed locations and help these victims begin a new life. They
provide counseling, legal assistance and protection from the
perpetrator for both the victim and the children. First Baptist will
be collecting clothing items, diapers, and used cell phones that
will go directly to help the victims and their children. First
Baptist will also be helping collect items for their silent auction
fund raiser in May. If anyone has valuable door prizes either from
their business or would like to purchase a gift basket to donate,
please contact Kay or John Brooks at
johnandkay2@cox.net
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you"
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