ALittleBitofHistory - Generations Free Will Baptist Church

A little bit of history...

Our church began in November of 1951 with a prayer meeting in the home of Sister Mona Johnson. The church was officially organized as the First Free Will Baptist Church of Joplin January 15, 1953. The first pastor was Reverend Paul Williams. After meeting in rented locations for the first couple of years the church purchased property at Eighteenth and Virginia in Joplin. A building was constructed and the church gathered there until the move to our current property at 2301 Connecticut. This new building was dedicated June 6, 1965. In 2007 the church voted to change our name to Generations Free Will Baptist Church.

Over the years there have been many changes and additions to our building, property, and now even our name, but our mission has remained the same, to proclaim the Gospel from generation the generation.

I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!" Psalm 122:1

Our Mission Statement

As the Body of Christ, we accept the call to fulfill the command of God to proclaim the Gospel to all generations and make disciples of all people.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matt. 28:18-20 (ESV)

Our Vision Statement

As the Body of Christ we will fulfill our mission by following His example and the example of the early church in devoting ourselves to the study of His word, the fellowship of believers, prayer, and worship and commit to disciple all generations to do likewise.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 2:42 (ESV)

Here are some other Free Will Baptist websites that might interest you:

National Association of Free Will Baptist: www.nafwb.org

International Missions: www.fwbgo.com

Home Missions: www.homemissions.net

One Magazine (our national magazine): www.onemag.org

Women Nationally Active For Christ: www.wnac.org

Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College: www.hc.edu

Missouri State Association of Free Will Baptist: www.mofwb.org

The Free Will Baptist Web Site: www.holywordcafe.com/fwb/