About our Church
First Baptist Church of Hapeville was organized in 1884 and in 1923 built its first permanent building. The church has gathered to worship God and serve Christ, with the leadership of the Holy Spirit in carrying out God’s mission in our community for 135 years.
Through the years, the church has experienced the love of God through His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. The fellowship of believers has taught one another the Scriptures, encouraged one another in faith, given freely to local, state, national and foreign missions, and praised God through music in worship. Through lifestyle evangelism, people in the community have given their life to Christ and were baptized. Our memories are full of special times of baptisms, weddings, and funerals for our loved ones and friends.
God goes before us creating our future as he has our past! First Baptist remains steady in its calling to worship God and serve Christ in this community through the power of the Holy Spirit! The community continues to change and so will the church in order to be a viable witness with Christ.
This year in August, The Gateway Christian Academy began to utilize our educational space which will strengthen their ministry and created a new awareness of First Baptist Church and positive community conversations. Gateway Christian Academy (GWCA) is a Preschool, Elementary, Middle school and Mothers Morning Out (MMO) part-time educational program. The school strives to set the highest Christian and academic standards in a unique learning environment that is designed to ensure every student’s success. The small class sizes enable each student to receive individual attention ensuring that students are fully engaged in the learning process and empower children to reach their highest potential. Grades 1st – 6th are accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission. On top of academics, children learn to trust in God, love others, and to believe in themselves. The enrichment classes provided are Music, Art, Spanish, and CrossFit.
The church ordained two new young deacons in 2018: Jermaine Barnes and Cecil Ward. We welcome them to lead and support our congregation.
Our Director of Music, Jimmy Lovern, continues to share the gospel through song and leads us in praising God with our hymns. Our music ministry continues to sing for Offertory and meets for rehearsal on Sunday afternoons. The Community Choir sand Handel’s Messiah on the evening of Good Friday. Jimmy Lovern led a wonderful evening of music during “Thankssharing”. Six churches united to worship, share a meal and fellowship. In December, special music filled the sanctuary from the children’s Christmas program during Sunday worship. Our choir led us in singing Christmas favorites each Sunday during advent. The band of “Front Yard Singer’s” has faithfully met on the third Thursday of the month to visit and sing to our shut-ins. This ministry provides an avenue to share their gifts and encourage homebound friends by lifting their spirits.
God goes before us creating our future as he has our past! First Baptist remains steady in its calling to worship God and serve Christ in this community through the power of the Holy Spirit! The community continues to change and so will the church in order to be a viable witness with Christ.