First Baptist Church: On Mission
In our Community
First Baptist Church offers many ministries to those in our church and community. We believe in ministering to the WHOLE person, body, mind, and spirit. Explore below the many ways we seek to be a "mission on the corner" right here in Thomson and McDuffie County.
Bereavement Ministry
Our bereavement ministry provides meals for bereaved family members upon the death of a church member. Meals are prepared by four volunteer teams and typically served in the church Parlor.
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In the fall and spring of the year, we offer a 13-week support group and seminar for men and women who are going through or have experienced the pain of divorce. It is lead by trained individuals who know themselves the pain and separation that divorce causes. In DivorceCare, participants meet others who understand what they are feeling and who can offer encouragement. We hope people can find help, discover hope, and experience healing through this ministry. The weekly seminars include topics like:
- The road to healing/finding help
- Facing my anger
- Facing my depression
- Facing my loneliness
- New relationships
- Financial survival
- Moving on and growing closer to God
DC4K--DivorceCare for Kids, meets at the same time as DivorceCare and offers help and healing for children suffering from the hurt of divorce. It is designed for children ages 5-12 whose parents are separated or divorced. At the weekly DC4K meeting, kids make friends with other kids who understand how they feel and the things they're going through because of the divorce of their parents. Each meeting combines games, crafts, activities, music and DVD dramas to create a fun atmosphere where children feel comfortable and accepted.
For more information on DivorceCare and DC4K, visit their websites. And look for more information to come on when the next cycle of sessions will begin here at First Baptist Church.
DivorceCare is currently not in session.
Drive-through Nativity
For three nights in December, our church offers the community and surrounding areas a unique Christmas gift, "One Night in Bethlehem: a Drive-through Nativity." People drive there from all over the CSRA to experience a life-like trip back in time 2,000 years to Bethlehem. From Caesar's decree, to the angel's announcements to Mary and Joseph, to their trip to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus, and finally to the shepherds and wise men, participants get to experience that most Holy Night in sights and sounds. We use live animals and actors, elaborately decorated sets, and dynamic narration. It is truly a labor of love, as over 150 members of First Baptist devote their time and talents to this endeavor.
Drug & Alcohol Recovery Group
Every Tuesday at Noon in the Shepherd's Corner, a group of men and women gather to encourage and support each other in their recovery from the addictions of drugs and alcohol. Lead by caring, Christian people who have been there, it's a wonderfully supportive environment for those who are seeking help and healing.
"Let's Talk" Support Group
This is a group of people who come together to encourage and support each other through prayer and dialogue as they deal with family and friends who are struggling with drug, alcohol, and other addictions. It meets in various people's homes. Contact the church office for meeting locations.
Fall Festival
Every October, we open our church to the community for a fall day of family fun! Parents, grandparents, and children fill our park and gym as they enjoy activities such as face painting, clowns, balloon animals, putt-putt, ring toss, cake walk, concessions, hay rides, and more! It's a wonderful opportunity for people in the community to meet members of First Baptist and build or strengthen relational connections.
GriefShare is a special seminar and support group for people grieving the loss of someone close to them. The leaders of this group are people who understand what grieving people are experiencing and want to offer comfort and encouragement during this difficult time. Each GriefShare session includes a video seminar and group discussion. Each participant receives a GriefShare workbook to assist them with note taking, journaling, and grief study. The videos feature top experts on grief recovery, dramatic reenactments about living with grief and real-life stories of people who have experienced loss. The video seminars include topics like:
- Living with grief
- The journey of grief
- The effects of grief
- When your spouse dies
- Heaven
- and many more
GriefShare offers real help for deep hurt through community, understanding, support, and encouragement. Our goal is to help you on your journey from mourning to joy! For more information, visit GriefShare on the web.
GriefShare begins again September 14th, 2009, from 7-8:30pm in the church Parlor.
Manna
| First Baptist Church is a proud sponsor of Manna, which is a local, faith-based organization that aims to minister to the whole person. Manna’s main objective is to provide temporary and emergency aid, in the name of Christ, to persons in need living in McDuffie County and the surrounding areas. |
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Many of our neighbors are only a paycheck away from financial trouble. There are residents who are hungry, need warm clothing, and help with utility bills. Manna’s purpose is to assist as many families as possible with the resources available to us. Through the generosity of individuals, churches, and other local groups and businesses who share common Christian convictions, it is possible to allow others to see Christ as we reach out to them with food, financial help, and spiritual guidance. |
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How Manna Operates:
Participating churches make monthly contributions
Donations are received from individuals, businesses and organizations
Donations are accepted in the form of food, furniture, and other household items
The center is staffed by participating church volunteers
Services are rendered in the form of emergency food, housing, and partial utility payments, and emergency gasoline help
Recipients are interviewed before assistance is extended
Manna works cooperatively with the Department of Children’s Services, McDuffie County Health and Mental Health Depts., McDuffie Partners for Success, as well as Wal-Mart and other organizations in our community.
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Manna’s Board of Directors
The Board of Directors, which establishes Manna, Inc. policies, is comprised of individuals from participating area member churches as well as members of community organizations.
The Board meets quarterly to address issues and to resolve problems so that the area needs can be met efficiently and effectively.
Manna is staffed by volunteers under the direction of a compensated manager.
You can support MANNA and its operation in the following manner:
By prayer,
By monetary and item contribution,
By volunteering at MANNA.
|
| There are so many needs in our community. Come join with other Christians throughout our community who are willing to serve others in need. How wonderful you feel when you are able to give back a portion of what God has given you. How wonderful to know that others can see Jesus in you as you serve them. The person who benefits is you. May God direct you in Manna’s direction. To learn more about Manna, to volunteer, or contribute, call 706-595-3138. |
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MANNA is open
Monday--Friday, from 10 AM to 2 PM, and is located at
451 E. Hill St. in Thomson, GA
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Mission: McDuffie 
Every summer, teams of students and adults from FBC and other area churches join together for a week of service to homeowners in need in McDuffie County. We provide services such as exterior house painting, minor exterior repair, wheelchair ramp construction and repair, yard work and clean-up, and more. Homeowners can apply in the Spring, and we take each application into careful consideration, giving preference to those in the greatest need. Teams work in the mornings and come back together at one of the participating church for an evening worship celebration. For more information, visit www.missionmcduffie.com.
Thursday Ministries
This ministry provides freshly prepared, healthy meals every Thursday afternoon to families in our church and community who are in a crisis situation, such as:
- families who have someone in the hospital or recently released from the hospital,
- people dealing with long-term health issues at home,
- elderly home-bound church members,
- and other crisis situations.
We have a team of about a dozen cooks and drivers who prepare each meal, using a rotating menu so that people get some different each week, and deliver each meal hot and fresh. We rely on church members to help make us aware of people who may be in need of this ministry. If you know of such a person or are interested in volunteering your time or resources, you can use a simple on-line form to get in touch with us, or call the church office.
First Baptist Church: On Mission
In our Community
First Baptist Church offers many ministries to those in our church and community. We believe in ministering to the WHOLE person, body, mind, and spirit. Explore below the many ways we seek to be a "mission on the corner" right here in Thomson and McDuffie County.
Bereavement Ministry
Our bereavement ministry provides meals for bereaved family members upon the death of a church member. Meals are prepared by four volunteer teams and typically served in the church Parlor.
&
In the fall and spring of the year, we offer a 13-week support group and seminar for men and women who are going through or have experienced the pain of divorce. It is lead by trained individuals who know themselves the pain and separation that divorce causes. In DivorceCare, participants meet others who understand what they are feeling and who can offer encouragement. We hope people can find help, discover hope, and experience healing through this ministry. The weekly seminars include topics like:
- The road to healing/finding help
- Facing my anger
- Facing my depression
- Facing my loneliness
- New relationships
- Financial survival
- Moving on and growing closer to God
DC4K--DivorceCare for Kids, meets at the same time as DivorceCare and offers help and healing for children suffering from the hurt of divorce. It is designed for children ages 5-12 whose parents are separated or divorced. At the weekly DC4K meeting, kids make friends with other kids who understand how they feel and the things they're going through because of the divorce of their parents. Each meeting combines games, crafts, activities, music and DVD dramas to create a fun atmosphere where children feel comfortable and accepted.
For more information on DivorceCare and DC4K, visit their websites. And look for more information to come on when the next cycle of sessions will begin here at First Baptist Church.
DivorceCare is currently not in session.
Drive-through Nativity
For three nights in December, our church offers the community and surrounding areas a unique Christmas gift, "One Night in Bethlehem: a Drive-through Nativity." People drive there from all over the CSRA to experience a life-like trip back in time 2,000 years to Bethlehem. From Caesar's decree, to the angel's announcements to Mary and Joseph, to their trip to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus, and finally to the shepherds and wise men, participants get to experience that most Holy Night in sights and sounds. We use live animals and actors, elaborately decorated sets, and dynamic narration. It is truly a labor of love, as over 150 members of First Baptist devote their time and talents to this endeavor.
Drug & Alcohol Recovery Group
Every Tuesday at Noon in the Shepherd's Corner, a group of men and women gather to encourage and support each other in their recovery from the addictions of drugs and alcohol. Lead by caring, Christian people who have been there, it's a wonderfully supportive environment for those who are seeking help and healing.
"Let's Talk" Support Group
This is a group of people who come together to encourage and support each other through prayer and dialogue as they deal with family and friends who are struggling with drug, alcohol, and other addictions. It meets in various people's homes. Contact the church office for meeting locations.
Fall Festival
Every October, we open our church to the community for a fall day of family fun! Parents, grandparents, and children fill our park and gym as they enjoy activities such as face painting, clowns, balloon animals, putt-putt, ring toss, cake walk, concessions, hay rides, and more! It's a wonderful opportunity for people in the community to meet members of First Baptist and build or strengthen relational connections.
GriefShare is a special seminar and support group for people grieving the loss of someone close to them. The leaders of this group are people who understand what grieving people are experiencing and want to offer comfort and encouragement during this difficult time. Each GriefShare session includes a video seminar and group discussion. Each participant receives a GriefShare workbook to assist them with note taking, journaling, and grief study. The videos feature top experts on grief recovery, dramatic reenactments about living with grief and real-life stories of people who have experienced loss. The video seminars include topics like:
- Living with grief
- The journey of grief
- The effects of grief
- When your spouse dies
- Heaven
- and many more
GriefShare offers real help for deep hurt through community, understanding, support, and encouragement. Our goal is to help you on your journey from mourning to joy! For more information, visit GriefShare on the web.
GriefShare begins again September 14th, 2009, from 7-8:30pm in the church Parlor.
Manna
| First Baptist Church is a proud sponsor of Manna, which is a local, faith-based organization that aims to minister to the whole person. Manna’s main objective is to provide temporary and emergency aid, in the name of Christ, to persons in need living in McDuffie County and the surrounding areas. |
|
Many of our neighbors are only a paycheck away from financial trouble. There are residents who are hungry, need warm clothing, and help with utility bills. Manna’s purpose is to assist as many families as possible with the resources available to us. Through the generosity of individuals, churches, and other local groups and businesses who share common Christian convictions, it is possible to allow others to see Christ as we reach out to them with food, financial help, and spiritual guidance. |
| |
|
|
|
How Manna Operates:
Participating churches make monthly contributions
Donations are received from individuals, businesses and organizations
Donations are accepted in the form of food, furniture, and other household items
The center is staffed by participating church volunteers
Services are rendered in the form of emergency food, housing, and partial utility payments, and emergency gasoline help
Recipients are interviewed before assistance is extended
Manna works cooperatively with the Department of Children’s Services, McDuffie County Health and Mental Health Depts., McDuffie Partners for Success, as well as Wal-Mart and other organizations in our community.
|
|
Manna’s Board of Directors
The Board of Directors, which establishes Manna, Inc. policies, is comprised of individuals from participating area member churches as well as members of community organizations.
The Board meets quarterly to address issues and to resolve problems so that the area needs can be met efficiently and effectively.
Manna is staffed by volunteers under the direction of a compensated manager.
You can support MANNA and its operation in the following manner:
By prayer,
By monetary and item contribution,
By volunteering at MANNA.
|
| There are so many needs in our community. Come join with other Christians throughout our community who are willing to serve others in need. How wonderful you feel when you are able to give back a portion of what God has given you. How wonderful to know that others can see Jesus in you as you serve them. The person who benefits is you. May God direct you in Manna’s direction. To learn more about Manna, to volunteer, or contribute, call 706-595-3138. |
|
MANNA is open
Monday--Friday, from 10 AM to 2 PM, and is located at
451 E. Hill St. in Thomson, GA
|
Mission: McDuffie
Every summer, teams of students and adults from FBC and other area churches join together for a week of service to homeowners in need in McDuffie County. We provide services such as exterior house painting, minor exterior repair, wheelchair ramp construction and repair, yard work and clean-up, and more. Homeowners can apply in the Spring, and we take each application into careful consideration, giving preference to those in the greatest need. Teams work in the mornings and come back together at one of the participating church for an evening worship celebration. For more information, visit www.missionmcduffie.com.
Thursday Ministries
This ministry provides freshly prepared, healthy meals every Thursday afternoon to families in our church and community who are in a crisis situation, such as:
- families who have someone in the hospital or recently released from the hospital,
- people dealing with long-term health issues at home,
- elderly home-bound church members,
- and other crisis situations.
We have a team of about a dozen cooks and drivers who prepare each meal, using a rotating menu so that people get some different each week, and deliver each meal hot and fresh. We rely on church members to help make us aware of people who may be in need of this ministry. If you know of such a person or are interested in volunteering your time or resources, you can use a simple on-line form to get in touch with us, or call the church office.