We are blood bought sons and daughters of the Lord called out of a life of darkness into the kingdom of light.
Our identity isn’t wrapped up in our career, our talents, or the labels the world puts on us. Our identity is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul described the gospel in 1 Cor 15:3-4 “That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” Although we come from many different walks of life, this gospel unites all members of FBC. We are a family of God on the mission of God.
Our Mission
Our mission is to call out the called, cultivate obedience, and commission the sent.
Calling Out the Called
The word kaléō is used throughout the New Testament. It means “to call, summon”. We see it used in Matthew 4:21. “He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”
We believe the Lord decides what fish we catch but it’s our responsibility to go fishing for people. The word for church in the new testament means “the called out ones”. Just as we were called out of darkness, we now extend God’s call to the lost. We call out the called through personal evangelism, corporate worship, missions, and special events.
Cultivating Obedience
Being born again is the starting point for a disciple of Jesus. If Jesus is Lord, then we must take his yoke upon us and learn from him. We believe Jesus was clear in Matthew 28:19-20. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
God never calls us to make converts, but rather, to make disciples. Obeying God is the most counter cultural thing we can do. Jesus told His disciples on more than one occasion, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 The call to follow means a call to die. When we rest crucified, God’s indwelling Spirit takes us over and He lives through us. Jesus came to give us abundant life. We may cultivate obedience through corporate worship, fellowships, and serving together. But we believe sharpening one another happens best through small groups such as Connect Groups & D Groups.
Commissioning the Sent
Jesus gave us our mission in Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” For over 140 years, the heart of FBC Columbia has beat for the nations. We expect every member to be engaged in carrying out the great commission. FBC is proud to raise up, mobilize, and send out disciples to make disciples. Our secret weapon is Christ in us the hope of glory. Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 We believe his power came at Pentecost and his power now indwells us as his body. Our clear aim is to send disciples to the city of Columbia, America, and the nations.
Our Story
Where We Began
In 1883, Pastor Theophilus Shuck Powell rode a horse from Bunker Hill down to Columbia with a burden for the people of Columbia and with the hopes of finding people who would join him in planting a Baptist church. Columbia in the late 1800s was a thriving river city that was known for her saloons and loose living. The city was lost without a light to guide them. Theophilus and seven others would covenant together to start a baptist church in Columbia. Their first worship gathering took place in the Marion County Courthouse. The seven trailblazing members were Dr. and Mrs. M.L. Banks, Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Mobley, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Fortenberry, and Mrs. Elizabeth Fenn. In 1890, the first house of worship was built on Dale Street near the city cemetery and the church had a total membership of about fifty members.
In 1912, FBC moved to 900 High School Avenue and a new state of the art building with classrooms that were erected in 1913. FBC Columbia hosted the MS Baptist Convention Meeting in 1913. In 1960, the current sanctuary was built. The sanctuary was renovated in 2018.
Through the Years
For nearly 140 years, FBC Columbia has been pointing the thirsty people of Columbia to the fountain of life found in Jesus our Lord. For most of these years, FBC Columbia has been one of the leading baptist churches in our state. In 1979, a young South African couple sold everything they owned and purchased one way flights to NYC. With only their suitcase and a few hundred dollars to their name, they came by faith on a journey to study at an American Baptist Seminary. Once in NYC, they called the only American phone number they knew. They called the church office of FBC Columbia on a Saturday. It just so happens the pastor at the time, Dr. J. Roy McComb, had come by the church office for just a few minutes and heard the phone ringing. The rest is history. Dr. Don Wilton served on staff for two years while attending New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Soon after FBC Columbia licensed, ordained, and commissioned the Wiltons to a lifetime of faithful ministry. Dr. Don represents so many young people who have been raised up and sent out by FBC Columbia.
One of our greatest ministries through the years has been to furlough missionaries serving around the world. We currently have three missionary homes – two retired missionary homes and one for active missionaries. We host missionaries usually six months at a time.
You can learn more about our missionary homes from this article by the Baptist Record: Click Here
Where We Are Headed
For us, it’s the nations or bust. Jesus gave us our mission in Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” For over 140 years, the heart of FBC Columbia has beat for the nations. We expect every member to be engaged in carrying out the great commission. FBC is proud to raise up, mobilize, and send out disciples to make disciples. Our secret weapon is Christ in us, the hope of glory. Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 We believe his power came at Pentecost and his power now indwells us as His body. Our clear aim is to send disciples to the city of Columbia, America, and the nations.
