Organizations & Programs

BIBLE STUDY MINISTRY

The Sunday School is the Bible Study Ministry of our church. We emphasize the need of every church member for Bible Study and small group fellowship in a Sunday School class. There are classes for every age with well qualified and trained teachers leading the study of the Scriptures.

The goal of our Sunday School is to teach the Bible with integrity and relate it's truths to daily living. We also desire to create interest and a need for daily reading and study of the Scriptures.

It is the policy of our church that every new member automatically becomes a member of the church's Bible teaching program (Sunday School) when they become a member of the church.

Our Sunday School has a special ministry through its teachers, outreach leaders and group leaders that we feel is vital to every member. The small group involvement and fellowship is a part of our church which members who are only a part of our worship services would not experience. Children and Youth classes are based on age classification. Adults are not classified by age and have a number of opportunities to choose from. If there is ever a time when you, or a member of your family feel that your needs are not being met through your present class, our Sunday School Director or Pastor will welcome the opportunity to discuss with you ways to improve this important ministry.

Our Sunday School begins at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday Morning.

During our Sunday morning worship children are invited to come forward for the children's message (an object lesson) and at its conclusion, Preschool through 2nd Grades continue their worship with volunteers, who lead them in a Bible story, music, and crafts. Older children may return to sit in the congregation for the regular worship service.

MUSIC MINISTRY

Minister of Music Annette Tuten has been serving our church for over Thirty years. Mrs. Tuten has degrees from North Greenville College and Furman University. Mrs. Tuten retired from teaching in the North School District.

The Music Ministry of First Baptist Church is an organized effort using musical experiences to help the church accomplish its mission. It is the congregation, choir, instrumentalists, ensembles, quartets, trios, duets, and soloists, that bring together a voice of worship and praise to our Lord. The purpose of Music Ministry is to glorify God, lead people to Christ, contribute to spiritual growth and develop music abilities. This Music Ministry touches hearts and makes a way for every person to witness God's redemption.

Children's choirs are also a part of the ongoing Music Ministry.  On different occasions the children share their music with the congregation during the Sunday School Morning Worship or the Sunday Evening worship Service.

A Hand Chimes Choir is being organized and practice will be on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.  If you have an interest in learning to play handchimes and play in this choir, contact Annette Tuten, Music Minister.

If you have a special talent or enjoy singing; the Sanctuary Choir rehearsal is every Wednesday at 7:30 PM. We look forward to seeing YOU!!

Children and Youth are the growing leaders of our church in the future and that is why, at Varnville First Baptist Church, we have a ministry that seeks to train our children and youth in areas of Bible study, personal relations, family life and outreach.

A new program entitled FUNdamentals began September 8th, 2004 and continued on Wednesday evenings until the first of  May.  They will begin meeting again during the School Year beginning the first Wednesday of September, following Family Night Supper at 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm. The club is divided into three thirty-minute segments.  One segment is GAME TIME.  This is where clubbers enjoy fun action games as a group with several leaders.  Another segment is CHOIR TIME.  During this time, clubbers will enjoy learning music together with our music director, Annette Tuten.  The third segment is COUNSEL TIME.  This is where clubbers meet in a large group for a Bible message and for reciting the Bible verses they have studied during the week at home.

FUNdamental club members will wear T-shirts in colors to match their group.  Register Now to be a clubber.

The Children and Youth ministry is built on the basic organizations of the church (Sunday School, Mission Groups and Music organizations) and involves Bible studies, retreats, trips, fellowships and special projects such as a summer mission trip.

We encourage the involvement of every girl and boy ages preschool through grade 6 to actively participate in our Children's Ministry. We also encourage every young woman and man in grades 7-12 to actively participate in our Youth Ministry.

In order for this to be an effective ministry the involvement of parents is essential.

Books, magazines, filmstrips, maps, globes and study course books are available in our library. These are selected primarily for their value in reinforcing the various church activities. Leaders and pupils in every organization will find materials to help improve their work and help them in Bible study and teaching.

Recreational reading is provided for every age group, from the toddlers through the senior adults. There are books on almost every subject.

Any member of our church may borrow library materials. Items may be checked out for a two (2) week period. If there is no waiting list, a book may be renewed.

The Joy Club is a ministry for older persons, (Just Older Youth), that provides spiritual and recreational activities for adults ages 50 and up. Activities are usually held monthly. The Joy Club enjoys dinners, special music, guest speakers, games, and outings that range from shopping to fishing. The Joy Club is made-up of members from First Baptist Varnville and members of other sister churches in the surrounding community.

Our Pastor and staff are always available when a need for pastoral care arises in your life or family. They are assisted 'by a body of ordained deacons who are also eager to minister and serve.

The deacons have a plan for ministering to church families called "The Deacon Family Ministry Plan". Through this ministry, each church family is assigned to one deacon. A deacon may serve 20 - families or more. Your deacon will visit you and get acquainted with your family. He will be contacted to minister and help along with the pastor and staff during the times of need. He will also be there to share in times of joy and celebration. The goal of this ministry is to reach out to every member in love and compassion when Christian brothers and sisters are needed. We desire to communicate the importance of every church member and their vital role in our Lord's work.

Please notify the church office when a particular need emerges in your personal life or family. Our pastor and deacons desire to serve and minister in the name of our Lord.

Woman's Missionary Union (WMU) at First Baptist Church is an on-going program of missions involvement: teaching missions, supporting missions, engaging in mission action and providing and interpreting information regarding the work of the church and denomination. It isn't just a missions organization...  it is women fulfilling a mission!

WMU is Baptist "Women on Mission" who meet regularly for study, prayer, planning and action. These women support and promote the home, foreign and state missions with weeks of special prayer and prayer programs, encouraging our members to pray daily for missionaries all over the world.

In our church, WMU is mission study, summer camps, visiting our elderly, special projects, and summer mission opportunities.

WMU in our church is leaders who pray and plan together for the purpose of leading women in personal enrichment and mission awareness. They endeavor to help our ladies to develop their unique gifts through mission involvement, to discover God's plan for their lives and to find channels for obeying the command God. WMU is missions! There is a place for YOU in WMU!!!

Baptist Men is the church organization which provides missionary education for all men and boys.

The object of the Baptist Men’s program is to lead men and boys to a deeper commitment to missions, to a more meaningful prayer life for missions, to encourage stewardship on behalf of missions, and to a personal involvement in missions. This objective of the Brotherhood is in keeping with our church's desire to fulfill its mission - the presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the people of the world with the purpose of leading them to a personal faith and obedience to His Will.

The tasks of Baptist Men:    (1) Teach missions to all men and boys.
                                           (2) Lead all men and boys to participate in mission activities.
                                           (3) Provide organization and leadership for special projects of the church.
                                           (4) Provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and 
                                                the denomination.

For boys and girls ages 2-5 years old. Replaced by FUNdamentals Club.

GIRLS IN ACTION (GA's) -

For girls only in grades 1-5. Replaced by FUNdamentals Club.

For girls only in grades 6-12. Replaced by FUNdamentals Club.

BAPTIST YOUNG WOMEN on MISSION

For all young ladies ages 18-40 years. Meet the 1st Monday night of each month at 7:00 p.m., unless otherwise specified.

For all ladies ages 40 and up. Meet the first Monday after the second Sunday of each month.

Note: Mission Organizations for children and youth meet during the school year only.

For all boys in grades 1-6. Replaced by FUNdamentals Club.

For all men and boys age 17 and up. Meet the 3rd Monday night of each month at 7:00 pm, unless otherwise specified. Some of our men participate in Summer Mission Projects where they go and assist other areas.

08/27/2005                                                                                                                                                    Return to Home Page