Are you looking for a place to grow in your faith, get connected, serve, and to really become part of a unique community that is making a positive difference in Portland and beyond? Then First Baptist Church (FBC) is for you! Since our beginnings in 1855, FBC has been community-oriented. In addition to our weekly worship services, we offer a variety of Life Groups you can be a part of. With programing available for adults, teens, and kids, we offer something for everyone in the family. Are you musical? There are also many different ways to get involved in our music ministry. We are multi-cultural, offering these and other programs in the Cambodian language as well. Not only that, but for over 35 years, we have been meeting the needs of our city through Drop-In, serving 200-300 meals to our neighbors every Monday and Thursday. There’s just a lot going on around here! To learn more about First Baptist or to get involved, contact us today!
Here are some of the ways you can get involved today:
Sunday Services (What to Expect)
Due to COVID-19, our services are “hybrid,” meaning that you can attend in person or online. If you join us in-person, please don’t forget your mask! You can also participate each Sunday at 11:00 am by watching the livestream at our Facebook page. Previous services can be viewed at our YouTube channel.
At FBC, you are invited to come as you are. Do you like to dress up for church? That’s great, but not required. Are you more of a jeans and flip-flops person? That works, too! Do you have small children that have a hard time sitting through church? That’s great, too! There’s something for everyone at FBC. We just want you to know you’re welcome here, whether you arrive as a single person, a couple, or an entire family!
First Baptist Church has three regular Sunday worship services. Visitors are always welcome at any time! In fact, some people get “double church” by attending the 10:00 Morning Prayer and another service again at 11:00! On certain Sundays, our 11:00 services meet together for combined bilingual worship as one body in English and Cambodian.
The Morning Prayer (English) is at 10:00 every Sunday morning. We meet in the Dining Room. The service is “casual” in style featuring contemporary music. You are welcome to share a prayer request if you like, and there is always a thought-provoking devotional message shared by one of our pastors.
The Family Service (English) is at 11:00 every Sunday morning. We meet in the sanctuary for a time that is centered around the reading and preaching of the Word. Music is mixed, combining both traditional and contemporary elements. We think of this service like a family holiday celebration, where everyone is welcome at the table and where people of all generations will enjoy being together and growing in faith.
Children’s Church (English) is held in the Parlor near the Sanctuary, and begins at the conclusion of the “children’s message” portion of the Family Service (ushers lead the kids from the main sanctuary to this room). While children are always welcome to worship with their parents, this service offers an alternative venue with age-appropriate Bible reading, lesson, and activities for kids between the ages of 4 and 6th grade. Nursery care is available for infants and kids up through age 3.
The Cambodian Worship service is held at 11:00 in the Rose Chapel, located upstairs, in the Education wing of the building. The service is conducted in Khmer (Cambodian) language, for native and non-native speakers alike.
Cambodian Ministry
FBC offers many different ministries in the Khmer language of Cambodia. In addition to the Cambodian worship service at 11:00 on Sundays, we also offer Khmer-language Bible studies and cultural events. This ministry, under the leadership of Pastor Peter Im, has supported numerous missionaries and mission trips to Cambodia.
Drop-In
Every Monday and Thursday between 2-4 p.m.,the Drop-In Ministry Team serves 400-600 meals a week to the homeless and low-income people of our community. There are also evening programs for street youth (the weekly “Dinner & A Movie” gathering in the Activity Center). FBC distributes food baskets and participates with the Oregon Food Bank and other agencies to fight hunger in the downtown area.
To get an emergency, 30-day food box, just contact one of the following agencies: Outside In, Transition Projects Inc, Central City Concern or Northwest Pilot Project to get a referral.
Drop-In is still providing food during the Covid-19 crisis.
