First Baptist Church Sunday Services

We are currently conducting in-person Sunday Worship Services, but also streaming them virtually on Facebook, YouTube and on our website.

Chris & Renny Blancaflor
Chris & Rennie Blancaflor
‘I'm Chris. This was the church
I grew up in. When I married Rennie
the church embraced him too.
We’ve always felt welcomed,
loved and accepted here!’
Janet Middleton
Janet Middleton
‘I love the welcoming, caring nature
of First Baptist Church It truly is
an extended family to me.’
Chris Hall
Chris Hall
‘I came to First Baptist Church
because my family did.
But now First Baptist
is my family.’
Tim & Lisa Austin Testimonial
Tim & Lisa Austin
‘At its very best church becomes
a touchstone. A community.
A home away from home. And
certainly First Baptist Church
is that for us.’
Testimonial TERRA BURMOOD
Terra Burmood
‘I feel at home at First Baptist.
Everyone is warm and accepting.
I can be myself and live an
authentic life in a church like this!’
Engaging Minds & Hearts

Engaging minds and hearts.

Engaging Minds & Hearts

Upcoming Events

Our Lenten Worship Series

We will follow the stories of Jesus as they would have traveled by word of mouth from town to town. Each week the stories of Jesus’ ministry will be retold by a family living in first century Israel. Together these children, parents, and grandmother will recount the astonishing tales they are hearing throughout the city about this mysterious carpenter from Nazareth. The children, Jacob, Asher, and Tamar, express amazement at the healing of a blind man. Uri and Talia, their parents, each have their own reactions to the stories they are hearing. The grandmother and matriarch, Miriam, insists this is the messiah. The one thing they all agree on, these stories are astonishing!!

Lenton Dinners 2023

Lenton Dinner Series

  • Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15 & 22

  • Begins at 6:30 pm

Special Music and Dr. Collins is teaching a series entitled Ragamuffin. 

YOU ARE ALL INVITED BY INTERN SIDNEY ALPERS!

Sigma Alpha Iota Concert
March 25, 2023 at 5:30 pm

AN INVITATION FROM OUR MUSIC INTERN, SYDNEY ALPERS On March 25th (note date change) at 5:30 First Baptist Church is sponsoring a concert provided by Bradley’s chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. SAI is a music fraternity for those who identify as women. The group will be performing some of their traditional SAI choruses, as well as enjoying appearances from other Bradley guests and musicians.

Stay tuned for coming highlights!

Engaging Minds & Hearts

New Photo Page

Engaging Minds & Hearts

First Baptist Residency, Internships and Jobs

Youth and Children Ministry Resident Position

A pastoral care position with responsibility to lead children and youth activities, under the the supervision of the lead minister and the Board of Christian Education. Compensation will include an annual salary of $41,000, an annual allowance for health insurance and housing.

Children's Ministry Intern

Children's Ministry Internship

Assist with children's small groups on Sunday mornings and occasionally on Wednesday evenings or Sunday afternoons. Scholarship is approximately $500 per semester, with around 2.5 hours per week.

Music Ministry Intern Web

Music Ministry Internship

Music interns rehearse on Wed. nights and serve on Sundays at 10am worship. Music interns can be instrumentalist, singers, and/or sound techs. Scholarship is approximately $500 per semester, with around 2.5 hours per week.

Nursery Worker

Nursery Worker Part-Time

Nursery Workers assist in our childcare on Sunday mornings and/or Wednesday nights. They receive an hourly wage of $15 per hour, with a minimum of 2 hours worked each shift.

TO APPLY FOR AN INTERNSHIP OR NURSERY WORKER POSITION CLICK BELOW.

Social Justice Source Materials

Engaging Minds & Hearts

Contemporary Issues Class

Jail and Prison Reform

Date: Sunday, October 30, 2022
Time: 11:15 am in the Sanctuary

Speaker:  Michael E. Brandt 

Michael Brandt is a practicing attorney who concentrates in criminal defense, traffic defense and expungement of criminal records. He previously served as Peoria County assistant prosecutor, assistant public defender, and civil court judge, including one term as chief circuit judge.

WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY:

A Different Kind of Baptist Church!

There are a lot of churches out there. At First Baptist we do our best to be a loving, inclusive, merciful, community of faith.
  • If you are looking for a church that wants you to ask questions and to read the Bible with both your brain and heart, then come visit.
  • If you are looking for a church that chooses mercy over judgment, equality over prejudice, and mystery over certainty, then come visit.
  • If you are looking for a church that cares about embracing all people as image-bearers of God, then come visit.
  • If you have doubt, fear, or pain, you are not alone. We have all those things too.
Come visit and we will find hope, freedom, and healing together.
Perhaps First Baptist is the church you have been looking for.