First Baptist Roswell

Ministry combines personal touch, traditional worship and contemporary programs.

By Michelle Martin

Throughout its 142-year history, First Baptist Roswell (FB-R) has enjoyed a rich tradition in the Roswell community. The church is known for its strong biblical foundation in sharing the Gospel and serving others in Christ's name, combining the personal touch and traditional worship typically found in smaller churches with contemporary programs designed to minister to the spiritual needs of individuals and families across life's different stages. Now, following the retirement of Dr. Ron Bradley, senior pastor for the past 17 years, FB-R prepares to enter a new phase under the leadership of Dr. Kevin Head, Interim Pastor and Minister to Young Families. The church's newly redesigned website and logo featuring liturgical colors blue, for the sky; purple, for God's majesty; red, for the blood of Jesus Christ; teal green, for new birth through baptism in water; and yellow, for the sun and Son illustrate FB-R's "revitalized" commitment to reaching the community for Christ.

Dr. Head is excited about the opportunity to usher FB-R into a new chapter that embraces the future while also holding true to the church's history. "I think it is important that our members feel a sense of stability during this time of transition," he says. "As minister to young families for nearly three years and a member of FB-R for six years, I already know and love the staff. I enjoy working with them and with our families." Dr. Head says he looks forward to bringing new ideas to the church without breaking from the traditions that are important to the church's identity, particularly Sunday morning worship services that feature traditional hymns, a traditional choir in traditional choir robes, and a pipe organ, along with a contemporary message. "I am excited to explore ways that I can bring something new and different to our traditional worship experience," he says. "For example, this could be a great opportunity to include lay leaders in parts of worship, such as prayer and reading scripture."

Before coming to FB-R in 2008, Dr. Head had served as pastor of four different churches. He and his wife, along with their two children, moved to the East Cobb area in 2007 to start their own faith-based counseling practice together. "Right away, we knew FB-R was the church for us," he says. They quickly became active in Sunday School and different ministry programs, and Dr. Head also served on several committees over the years before joining the FB-R staff part-time in 2012 as minister to young families.

One of the most popular programs of the Young Families Ministry is Family University, a special series of workshops designed to help guide young couples and families through marriage, parenting, budgeting and investing, caring for aging parents, and other family issues. "We feel it is important as a church to help young couples and families understand how to approach common issues in life from a Christian perspective, based on biblical teachings," says Dr. Head. FB-R's Young Families' Ministry also offers weekly devotionals. As Dr. Head explains, "These seasonal devotionals offer insight into spiritual disciplines and provide families with an opportunity to interact together as they relate stories in the Bible to their own families. Children and adults are busier than ever and have more distractions than ever, so this helps bring them all together in a focused time of family devotion." The Young Families Ministry also hosts an annual Couples Banquet at the church and Art of Marriage couples' retreat. All of these programs are open to families in the community regardless of their church membership, Dr. Head says. "Our purpose is to serve others within our church family and the local community and provide families a Christian model for addressing the issues that are relevant to them today."

Reverend Robert Turnbull has served as FB-R Minister to Students since 2005. "I love this church and our families. It is neat to watch our students grow, both physically and spiritually, over the years." Rev. Turnbull devotes a lot of time to visiting middle and high school students in local schools, attending their sports events and other activities. "It is important for me to get on their own turf and meet them where they are," he says. "When we show a real interest in what is important to them and that we care about them, kids (and their parents) begin to open up and trust and that is the key to a personal relationship." Rev. Turnbull says one of the biggest youth programs at FB-R is the community basketball program, part of an inter-denominational church league that plays at area churches. "It is a very good outreach tool. Just recently a young girl from our basketball team came forward with her mother to join FB-R." The Student Ministry offers weekly Bible Study, Sunday School and other activities, as well as local and international missions. FB-R's Senior Prayer Partners program is a special opportunity to minister to high school seniors. As Rev. Turnbull explains, senior students are paired with a secret adult prayer partner who commits to praying for them and encouraging them throughout their senior year of high school; the secret prayer partners are revealed at the Senior Recognition Banquet in May. "The program is based on the relationship of Paul and Barnabas, and the encouragement that Barnabas offered to Paul in his ministry of spreading the Gospel," he says. "It is moving to hear the seniors reflect on their time at FB-R and also to hear their prayer partners share stories about each student." Rev. Turnbull adds that all of FB-R's youth leaders play an important role in students' lives. "Our youth leaders do an amazing job caring for and connecting with our students. Without them, our Student Ministry would not be successful."

FB-R's Children's Ministry is led by Reverend Jessica Asbell. She says that she loves working with children and families, and believes it is important to partner with parents in nurturing children spiritually. "Busy families today need balance, so I try to develop programs and activities that are intentional in bringing families together." In addition to weekly Sunday School, Missions, and Choir programs, FB-R's Children's Ministry also hosts an annual Fall Festival, Vacation Bible School, Daddy-Daughter Dance, Mother-Daughter Tea, and several Parents' Night Out events. They also hold a Family Christmas Eve Service in which children also participate in Communion with special elements of their own (white grape juice and goldfish crackers, instead of the traditional wafer and grape juice). A new activity for 2015 will be a special Prayer Event that will include prayer stations for children and parents to use various objects to help them pray, as well as time for parents to talk about ways that they can pray for their children. "We like to design programs that engage children and relate the Bible in ways that they can understand," Rev. Asbell says. The Children's Ministry also offers parenting resources, such as weekly family devotions that guide parents in connecting their stories with the stories of the Bible; blogs; monthly e-zines; and videos on everything from marriage to parenting to Bible Study from Right Now Media.

In addition to the Young Families, Students, and Children's ministries, FB-R also offers special women's, men's, and senior adult programs to minister to individuals throughout life's stages. Visit First Baptist Roswell during its special holiday services, and celebrate "the reason for the season!"

First Baptist Roswell
710 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell
770-587-6980
FBRoswell.org

Weekly Worship & Bible Study
Sunday Worship: 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Sunday Bible Studies: 9:45 a.m.
Wednesday Men's, Women's & Youth Bible Studies: 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Pastor's Bible Study & Prayer: 6:45 p.m.

Celebrate Christmas at First Baptist Roswell!
December 7, 11:00 a.m.: Greening of the Sanctuary
December 7, 6:45 p.m.: An Instrumental Christmas Concert
December 14, 11:00 a.m.: Chancel Choir Christmas Concert
December 14, 7:00 p.m.: "Light of the World" Childrens' Christmas Musical
December 24, 5:00 p.m.: Worship and Communion (children welcome)
December 24, 11:00 p.m.:Candlelight Christmas Communion Service (adults)