Welcome to First Baptist Church!
Whether you are trying church for the first time, coming back to church after a long time, or trying to find a new church, we realize you probably have a lot of questions about the First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines. We are hopeful you can find the information you seek on this page. Feel free contact us at any time. We’d love to get to know you!
The First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines was founded In 1851 in downtown Des Moines. The 250-member congregation built a new church in northwest Johnston in 2002. First Baptist is affiliated with American Baptist Churches USA, a mainline Christian denomination.
Our mission is “Lighting the Way to Life by Centering People on Christ.” We exist to reach out and help people who are seeking to find, renew or strengthen a relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
We are a warm, loving church and we hope you find your time spent with us a blessing!
Throughout the week, The Church offers an assortment of programs and ministries for the entire family. We pride ourselves on being a family of faith located in the Green Meadows West Neighborhood in Johnston, Iowa.
Making church attendance a priority and pattern in your life is one of the best ways to continue to grow in your faith through corporate worship, Bible-based sermons, Christian education activities, and fellowship with believers.
To support and encourage participation by adults with young children, The Church provides childcare for infants and pre-kindergarten toddlers — from 9 am to noon for Sunday services and from 6 to 8 pm for Wednesday night activities.
What to Expect on Sunday
Our 10:00 am Sunday worship includes personally relevant and inspiring Bible-based sermons, traditional hymns and sacred music, and fellowship. Our worship is periodically enhanced by adult and children choirs and instrumental ensembles. The pew Bibles are the New Living Translation.
Accessible parking is available on the south and west sides of the building.
Enter through the main doors on the south side of the building.
The Church is sensitive to concerns about COVID-19 and respects an individual’s choice to wear a mask or to request social distancing when seated in the sanctuary. Masks, hand sanitizer, and tissues are available in the narthex.
The dress for worship is generally "casual," although all are welcome regardless of their attire. Our greeters and ushers are available to provide direction, and are happy answer questions and assist our guests.
Assistive listening devices are available for those with hearing impairments. Accommodations are available for persons who use wheelchairs. Large print editions of the Bible are available upon request. Members and guests are welcome to use their smart phones or tablets to access their Bible through our free guest wi-fi internet service.
Our Coffee/Tea/Juice Fellowship on Sunday mornings is a great time to meet people informally. The Fellowship is from 9:45 am to 10:00 am and from 11:00 am to 11:15 am.
If you are unable to attend worship, live stream and archived videos are available for you to view at home or on your mobile device!
Wednesday Night Activities
Wednesday night activities for adults and school-age children are a traditional part of Christian education and fellowship in the First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines. The mid-week activities offer informal opportunities to connect with The Church, fellowship with others, and to grow spiritually through Christian Education activities for children and adults.
The Church provides a free-will offering dinner each week at 6:00 pm, followed by activities from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Childcare for infants and pre-K toddlers is available from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. In addition, walk-ons are welcome at the 7:30 pm choir practice.
Here’s what you need know to be a part of our Wednesday Night Activities:
Dinners - A free-will offering dinner will be served at 6:00 pm. Occasionally, , these dinners are “potluck” or delivered pizza, but for the most part they are prepared by volunteers in the Church. Dinner reservations are due by noon on Mondays and may be made by signing up at the Church or calling the office, (515) 243-8161.
Childcare – Trained attendants will be available to provide care for infants and pre-k toddlers, 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Children activities (kindergarten through fifth grade) - Children will engage in a Bible lesson, play games, and do a craft while learning about how much Jesus loves them, 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
Youth group (sixth grade through 12th grade) – Programming for this class is timely and relevant, guided by the Church’s director of youth ministry. This class meets from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
Adult Bible study – Facilitated by the interim pastors, this interactive study, 6:30 to 7:30 pm, explores the Scriptures and.provides Biblical application to issues of the day. Occasionally, there are guest speakers who present topics identified by class members.
Choir practice – The adult choir practices at 7:30 pm on Wednesday. Walk-ons are welcome!
