On December 30, 1854, an Ecclesiastical Council was convened in Olney, Illinois, for the purpose of organizing the First Baptist Church of Olney. Nine delegates met at the county courthouse and set in motion a ministry that has endured for more than 150 years. (The village of Olney was just thirteen years at the time). In the years since then, the
congregation has called three different buildings "home." More
than sixty-four different men have served as pastor and innumerable saints have
given of their lives to proclaim and worship Jesus Christ.
Obviously, much has changed in that 150 years. But what remains the same is our commitment to Jesus Christ and the Good News of salvation in His Name. Our commitment to the people of Olney and Richland County remains the same: love, obey God, and be committed to telling the truth God has revealed to us in the Scriptures.
We believe that the Bible is the God-given record of His dealings with humanity in history. It is also our rule for faith and practice as we share a six-fold ministry of:
WORSHIP - The most important thing a congregation does is worship because "God inhabits the praise of His people" (Psalm 149:1).
FELLOWSHIP - We need one another. To a degree that varies with the individual, God created all of us with a need for love. We love Him first and each other second. He commands us to meet this need by coming together for mutual support in faith and practice. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
SERVICE - Self-sacrifice is an important discipline for maturing our souls, helping us to become more like Jesus. Helping others is also a way to demonstrate Jesus to a world that needs to be introduced to Him. (John 13:14)
DISCIPLESHIP - We help one another to learn how to do the will of God in our daily living. Jesus is our example, Scripture is our guide - when we learn and apply what we learn, we work together toward maturity in our faith. (Psalm 119:105-106)
STEWARDSHIP - God has entrusted us with resources of time, wealth, personal power. All His gifts are to be used according to His will to extend His Kingdom. (1 Corinthians 4:2)
WITNESS - We are not only people of action, but we are also people of proclamation. We must speak the words of life for others to hear, understand, believe and be saved. (Philippians 2:14-16)
Obviously, much has changed in that 150 years. But what remains the same is our commitment to Jesus Christ and the Good News of salvation in His Name. Our commitment to the people of Olney and Richland County remains the same: love, obey God, and be committed to telling the truth God has revealed to us in the Scriptures.
We believe that the Bible is the God-given record of His dealings with humanity in history. It is also our rule for faith and practice as we share a six-fold ministry of:
WORSHIP - The most important thing a congregation does is worship because "God inhabits the praise of His people" (Psalm 149:1).
FELLOWSHIP - We need one another. To a degree that varies with the individual, God created all of us with a need for love. We love Him first and each other second. He commands us to meet this need by coming together for mutual support in faith and practice. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
SERVICE - Self-sacrifice is an important discipline for maturing our souls, helping us to become more like Jesus. Helping others is also a way to demonstrate Jesus to a world that needs to be introduced to Him. (John 13:14)
DISCIPLESHIP - We help one another to learn how to do the will of God in our daily living. Jesus is our example, Scripture is our guide - when we learn and apply what we learn, we work together toward maturity in our faith. (Psalm 119:105-106)
STEWARDSHIP - God has entrusted us with resources of time, wealth, personal power. All His gifts are to be used according to His will to extend His Kingdom. (1 Corinthians 4:2)
WITNESS - We are not only people of action, but we are also people of proclamation. We must speak the words of life for others to hear, understand, believe and be saved. (Philippians 2:14-16)