We want to help you get plugged in.
Click on one of the group listings below to learn more, or simply scroll down the page to view all.
Wednesday Night Life Groups
Faith Riders
FBC Senior Adult Ministry
Boy Scout Troop 217
Book Club
Wednesday Night Life Groups
While our students are participating in choirs, youth, and mission groups, our adult small groups participate from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. These various group encourage the study and conversation about the word of God and how to apply it to our lives. There are two groups that read through the Bible in a year, and there are three other groups that do weekly studies featuring a specific topic or lesson in scripture. These groups are wonderful for building relationships and growing together in our spiritual walk in Christ.
For further information on small group studies and lesson material,
Contact Associate Pastor Brett Sanders at 706.886.6822 or at brettfbctoccoa@gmail.com
Faith Riders
"We can do this." With those four simple words, two couples sought after the divine leading of God, said "Yes" to His will, and established a motorcycle ministry called F.A.I.T.H. Riders in February 2002 at First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, FL. What began as a four-person step of faith has grown into a team of many dedicated believers committed to the cause of Christ and to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ on and with their motorcycles to any who will listen. The ministry has expanded to over one hundred seventy churches, with more chapters getting ready to be born across the United States — chapters comprised of motorcycle riders and others passionate about sharing F.A.I.T.H. through Christian fellowship.
Each Commissioned Chapter of F.A.I.T.H. Riders has a special responsibility to "set the standard" for the Ministry. We only accomplish this through obedient surrender to the voice of the Father, and NOT by our own efforts.
The F.A.I.T.H. Riders blazon — their "colors" — consists of four primary colors and four symbols:
Black: Indicates the sinful, disobedient nature of man after the fall
White: God’s Light. Glory. In God’s light all darkness disappears.
Red: The blood of Jesus—the only thing that can cleanse us from our sins
Blue: The regal, royal character of our King Jesus.
Gold: Purity in its truest form is Jesus.
Streamer: Our nation set apart by the only true living God of the Bible.
Eagle: God’s power
Stars: Seven complete stars; all is complete in Jesus
Cross: Is the center of our patch, showing that we are centered on Jesus.
What does F.A.I.T.H. stand for?
F=Forgiveness A=Available I=Impossible T=Turn H=Heaven
Forgiveness is available. It is impossible for Jesus to allow sin into Heaven. We must turn from self and to Heaven.
The Ministry of F.A.I.T.H. Riders
The command of God implores us as we "go into all the world we are to preach the Gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15); the F.A.I.T.H. Riders take this calling seriously as the lifeblood of its existence and passion. This is a ministry, not a riding club or gang, and our sole purpose is to share the life-changing Good News by equipping the saints to engage in practical ministry opportunities.
Through the ministry of F.A.I.T.H. Riders, bikers and others are learning about Jesus Christ and receiving His awesome gift of salvation and eternal life in Heaven with Him. F.A.I.T.H. Riders is reaching people with their bikes who may not normally step foot into an organized church or Bible study. It's putting rubber, as well as shoe leather, onto the Gospel message.
At First Baptist Church, Toccoa Georgia, F.A.I.T.H. Riders was organized with the purpose of glorifying God as it passionately seeks to share F.A.I.T.H. in Jesus Christ. Our group consists of people from all walks of life, riding all styles, makes, and models of bikes, all of whom love their church and have found a fun way to share their faith and beliefs with others.
FBC Senior Adult Ministry
The senior adult ministry is conducted in large part by the Senior Adult Committee. They plan the activities and trips for senior adults and accompany them on all of those trips.
One of the highlights for the seniors is the XYZ luncheon held on the second Tuesday of September through May each year. The meal is prepared by the women of the church, and lunch is held in the fellowship hall of the church. There is no cost for the senior adults who attend.
The Senior Adult Committee hosts at least one activity or trip each month. Some examples of these activities include movie night (dinner and a movie), day trips to places like Hamrick’s in Anderson or Gaffney for shopping and to the mountains to see fall leaves or spring azaleas and mountain laurel. Sometimes we take a mystery trip to an unknown location. We have attended plays at Flat Rock Playhouse or Abbeville Opera House and concerts at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Overnight trips (and sometimes 2- or 3-day trips) have included Pigeon Forge, Americus and Plains, Charlotte, Savannah, and Charleston. Every excursion includes at least one delicious meal and gives the senior adults an opportunity for fun and fellowship together.
Boy Scout Troop 217
Scout Master, Rex Patterson
Leaders:
Rex Patterson - Scout Master
Mitch Clary - High Adventure Coordinator
Roger Sheppard - Logistics Coordinator
Barry Whitworth - Special Events Coordinator
Joe Moore - Board of Review Chairman
Jim Simmons - Troop Committee Chairman
O.B. Patterson - Advancement Chairman
William Tucker - Troop Treasurer
Doug Anderson
Barry Whitworth
Marty Escoe
Terry English
Spencer Palmer
Tom Smith
Jon Zeches
Mike Meeks
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
First Baptist Church is a sponsor for Boy Scout Troop 217. This group is a very active troop. Currently the troop consists of more than forty (40) young men between the ages of eleven (11) and seventeen (17), and the troop has maintained a membership of this size for the last fourteen (14) years. Dr. Rex Patterson has been the current Scoutmaster for the last sixteen years. There are at least ten (10) adult leaders who work with the boys each week. Two of the leaders, Roger Sheppard and Mitch Clary, have been active for fifteen (15) years. Over the years, fifty-nine (59) boys have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
The aim of Boy Scouts is to make learning fun by doing as much as possible outside a classroom setting. A boy scout’s learning occurs on hikes on the Appalachian Trail or trips to the Okefenokee Swamp or longer excursions to destinations such as Colorado or Washington, DC. His learning occurs during the week long summer camp at Camp Rainey Mountain near Clayton, Georgia, or on simple one night camping trips to Currahee Mountain, the Chattooga River, or trips to the many national forests near Toccoa. Boy Scout learning includes rock climbing done safely, hiking, caving, rafting on rivers, and cooking over an open fire. Scouting is a great experience for boys, one that lasts a lifetime. Whether a boy participates for one year or goes all the way to Eagle Scout, his experiences will enrich his life and provide a lifetime of memories.
Troop 217 is a community troop with boys from all over Stephens County and many different churches. Every boy is welcome who is at least eleven years old or in the sixth grade. The troop meets in the Scout Hut building behind the FBC on Wednesday at from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. If your son is interested, just call Rex Patterson at 706-886-7433 or the church office at 706-886-6822.
Book Club
If you like to read and then discuss what you have read, come join in the discussions with us. We meet on the first Thursday of each month in the library at 5:00 PM for about one hour. Next discussion is on Thursday, April 6th, at 5:00 pm, in the church library. You would be most welcome.
WINTER JOURNEYbyDiane Armstrong
A mother's silence, a village with a terrible secret, as an Australian woman travels to Poland to uncover a mystery.
Forensic dentist Halina Shore arrives in Nowa Kalwaria to take part in a war crimes investigation, she finds herself at the center of a bitter struggle in a community that has been divided by a grim legacy. She does not realise that she has also embarked on a confronting personal sacrifice.
Inspired by a true incident that took place in Poland in 1941. Armstrong's powerful novel is part mystery, part forensic investigation, and a moving story of love, loss, sacrifice and hope.
Hope to hear from you.
Nancy St.Clair
Come by your church library and check us out!!
Equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12)
Learning is a lifelong process. Christian learning doesn’t stop with Sunday school or the Sunday morning sermon. The Library/Media Center at First Baptist Church has a long tradition of providing quality material for members of all ages. The library is a lending library operating on a check-out system. If you are looking to deepen your Christian walk, evangelize with confidence, or if you are simply looking for materials to enjoy entertainment with Christian values, you need to visit the library at FBC. There is something here for everyone. If you can’t find what you are looking for, we can check into obtaining the material for you. Mrs. Nancy St. Clair, our librarian, provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all visitors to the library.
Each month the library will have a book review featured on this site. We will also be including a list of new arrivals. Come by and visit us soon. We look forward to seeing you.