September 3, 2026

Church Family,

I’ve told you from the beginning that one thing I’m going to do is communicate, communicate, and then communicate some more! I want you to know what’s going on, where we are, and where we’re headed. Most of all, I want us moving forward together.

And right now, I’m encouraged.

I’ve had the opportunity to look through the questionnaires from our Deacon Body, Church Council, and those who participated in our Business Meeting. While we may not agree on every little detail (when does a Baptist church ever do that?), the big picture is pretty clear—we really do seem to be on the same page about the kind of pastor we’re looking for and the kind of church we want to become.

That’s a good thing!

We still have a few things we need to talk through and clarify before we move forward. I’ll be meeting with our Deacon Body and Church Council in the coming week to have some of those conversations. As we work through it, I’ll keep you updated. I don’t want anyone wondering, “What are they doing?” or “What’s happening next?” You deserve to know.

I’m also really thinking and praying about our youth ministry.

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to sit down with some of our students and parents and, more than anything, listen. What do our students need? What do parents need? What should youth ministry at First Baptist look like?

I don’t want us to just restart something because “that’s what we’ve always done.” I want us to build something healthy—something our students want to be part of, our parents believe in, and our church gets excited about. Most importantly, something that helps students and families grow closer to Jesus.

And we’re not slowing down on Sundays either!

This month we’re beginning a new series called “What It Means to Be a Member.” We’re going to talk about what it really means to belong to a church—not just having your name on a roll, but actually being part of the body and the mission.

And yes...don’t forget your mirrors!

We’ve been talking about allowing Jesus to change the person looking back at us in that mirror. That doesn’t stop because a sermon series ends. My prayer is that God keeps changing us, shaping us, and helping us become more like Jesus—and in the process, helping First Baptist become the church our community needs us to be.

We’ve still got work to do. We’ve got some decisions ahead of us. And I’m sure we’ll hit a bump or two along the way.

But I’m excited.

I’m excited about what I see happening in our church. I’m excited about the conversations we’re having. And I’m excited about what God may have ahead for First Baptist.

And I just want you to know something personally...

I love being your Interim Pastor.

I really do.

It’s an honor to walk through this season with you, and I’m grateful that God has allowed me to be a small part of what He is doing here.

The best days of First Baptist don’t have to be behind us.

Let’s go see what God has next!

Phillip