Welcoming and Affirming

First Baptist is proud of its history as being one of the earliest Baptist churches in the country to openly declare itself, by an overwhelming congregational vote in 1994, welcoming and affirming of all persons without regard to sexual or gender identity.  This vital and heart-felt commitment continues to mean three things.  First, we welcome into full participation and membership all persons, regardless of sexual or gender identity, who seek to live in faithful relationship to Jesus Christ.  Second, our congregation and its pastors advocate for the full inclusion of LGBT persons within our denomination and larger society.  Examples of this include our senior pastor’s testimony in legislative hearings at the capital in favor of gay marriage and our congregation’s history of hiring ministers and staff without regard to sexual identity. Finally, we are proud and active members of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists.