Plug In! Use your gifts.

CHOIR | PRAISE BANDS | SPECIAL MUSIC
 DRAMA | MEDIA MINISTRY | SMALL GROUPS
COMMUNITY MINISTRIES | CARING MINISTRIES

Music/Worship:

Use your musical gifts and connect with others who share your interests by plugging into music ministries at First Baptist Church  (FBC). We have numerous places for musicians and vocalists. FBC has an active and accomplished choir, plus several praise bands and music teams that share music outside our walls. Musicians include guitar players, organists, pianists, drummers, bass, strings and brass.

Choir:

Upon the resignation of Ross Bertran, Lee Hixon has accepted the position of Choir Director and Worship Leader for the 8:45 AM Sunday Morning Worship Services. We thank God for Ross and Candi’s fifteen years of faithful ministry with us! God is good    and we look forward to the Hixon’s musical ministry at First Baptist Church.

We believe in offering quality music in our entire church life, especially during our worship times. God has blessed us with a remarkable depth of musical talent, ranging from classical to contemporary, soloists to choirs, instrumentalists and vocalists.   Our choir, under the direction of Lee Hixon, leads us in excellent worship,       as well as providing ongoing programs throughout the year.    We believe in providing opportunities for the training and development of the musical gifts within people. Worship teams and groups are also available to minister to neighboring churches.

A partial listing of rehearsals include:
	Adult Choir		Thursday - 6:45 p.m.
	Orchestra		Selected Sundays - 11:45 a.m.

Praise Bands:

First Baptist Church has several praise bands that lead worship during the 11 AM hour. If you are a musician looking to share your gifts in a contemporary music format we would love to have you involved. Current praise bands include vocalists, keyboard players, electric and acoustic guitar players, bass players, percussion, and violinists. Call the church office - 773-3123 - if you would like more information..

Drama Ministry:

The drama ministry is designed to creatively and effectively communicate the gospel through dramatic arts. Under the leadership of the Worship Commission, the drama ministry participates in worship services and special events. Contact            Dr. Delvyn Case for more information.

Community Groups

Community groups are open to all adults. Small Community Groups meet in homes and are usually bi-weekly or monthly. For more information contact Pastor Michael Olmstead - 773-3123

Media Ministry

The Media Ministry produces audio and video broadcasts of the Sunday morning worship services to be heard throughout Southern and Central Maine. Service opportunities exist for camera operators, audio technicians, and editors. Training is  available. We also use Power Point and Media Shout in morning services. Contact the church office at 773-3123 for more information.

Community Ministries

ABBA Ministry -- Contact: Judy Cushing at 253-5555
	Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we seek to reach out to women in pregnancy related crisis in the Greater Portland area who seek help in their decision making process by providing life affirming, Christ-centered solutions. The ministry's goal is to show these women that they are loved and cared for emotionally, physically, and spiritually so they can have hope.

Root Cellar -- Contact: Pat Iriana at 774-3197
	The Root Cellar is an inner city mission where needy families and committed volunteers build loving, stable and supportive relationships, demonstrating the love and hope of Jesus Christ. We have two goals: to lead people to a relationship with Jesus Christ, and to encourage participation by our neighborhood families in local churches. We meet these goals by providing programming such as food distribution, a clothing closet, after-school programs for children and adolescents, a teen ministry, a weekly praise and worship dinner, tutoring, Bible studies, a ladies breakfast, health clinics, and much more. Any skill and gift is welcome and useful at The Root Cellar. We are always in need of volunteers to: work one-on-one with neighborhood children and adults, work in group settings by supporting team leaders and building relationships, lead or teach these groups, organize sports, chaperone trips, prepare and/or serve meals, help administratively, and provide professional services.

Soup Kitchen -- Contact Vern & Barbara Howell at                            781-2137
	First Baptist Church participates in the Wayside Soup Kitchen located at the Preble Street Resource Center every fourth Wednesday of the month. The Soup Kitchen serves the homeless and hungry in Portland. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Vern and Barbara directly.

Van Ministry
	Our church van provides transportation for people in Portland needing a ride to a Sunday Morning Worship service. The van runs for the 8:45 AM Worship Service and Sunday School. Contact the Church Office at 773-3123 for more information.

The Food Pantry
	The Food Pantry ministry reaches out to poor and needy families with food for the body and the soul. The food pantry operates out of First Baptist Church on Wednesdays, from 1 - 2 PM. For more information, contact the Church Office at 773-3123.

Financial Assistance
	The Caring Fund at First Baptist Church is used to help people in our church and community, when possible, with needs such as food, fuel, utility assistance, etc. Requests go through the church office, at 773-3123, and are administered through the Caring Pastor and the Deacon Board. Applicants must complete a Financial Assistance Request Form.