OUR PURPOSE STATEMENT
"To develop ministering, mentoring messengers of Jesus Christ from every generation."

ABOUT OUR THEME STATEMENT
Real people – We are honest about our struggles and our victories. We want to be authentic people, not ones who are putting on a show. We want to live the authentic life not just talk about the life.

Real Faith - We really do talk to God, listen to God through his Word, and we really do express our love to Him through worship. We have a basic understanding of the doctrines of the faith and can communicate the basics of the message.

Real Life - We live an authentic life and our faith has practical application to our life. Jesus called it the abundant life. True religion is never something you just add on to your life - it is your life.

 DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
Our church has adopted the Baptist Faith and Message of the Southern Baptist Convention (2000) as our statement of faith. Below is a summary of six primary doctrines and what we believe about them. For a fuller statement and the references used please visit http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp

What We Believe About God - God exists eternally and He manifests Himself in three persons . . . God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

What We Believe About Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, was crucified, buried, and rose bodily from the grave, and will come again to this world to reign in righteousness.

What We Believe About the Holy Spirit - A person is baptized with the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ at the time of conversion, this baptism results in a believer being filled and
supernaturally empowered for service through spiritual gifts.

What We Believe About the Bible - The Bible is our supreme authority and it is sufficient as our only rule of faith and practice. The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is truth without any mixture of error.

What We Believe About Salvation - Forgiveness, salvation, and new life is made possible by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. This salvation is by grace through faith by the appropriation of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

What We Believe About Eternity - There shall be a bodily resurrection of the saved to eternal life and a resurrection of the unsaved to eternal punishment in hell. Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity.

 VALUES STATEMENT

Real Life Values

Being transformed into a Real Person, with a Real Faith is a high expectation in our church. This is not only targeted at lost people being transformed by Jesus Christ, but also seeing nominal Christians become enthusiastic, highly motivated Christians. We realize that nominal Christianity does not work. Nominal Christians are unfulfilled people and they miss the abundant life Jesus came to give (John 10:10). Our world does not need more nominal Christians. Nominal Christians do not advance the cause of Christ often they frustrate it. We therefore hold and strive to live these values to bring about transformed lives in both the lost and the saved so they can experience Real Life.

R - Relationships through groups for all ages and persons is encouraged.

Since God is interested in all ages of people and in the “whole" person, we must provide opportunities for people young and old, single or married to build healthy relationship and become the best for God. We believe a multi-generational church best expresses the balanced body of Christ. We encourage all generations to become involved in a small group.

E - Enthusiastic “one-another” spirituality is modeled.

We strive for believers to be enthusiastic in their life for God, so their enthusiastic faith would "infect" other people in the church and encourage them to share the Good News. We believe the “one-another” passages in the New Testament form the basic reminders of how the spiritual life is to be expressed to other believers.

A - Atmosphere of acceptance is cultivated.

Loving, supportive relationships must permeate every aspect of our church, especially our attitude and approach to the lost. God loves people, who they are, where they are, and how they are, but He loves them too much to leave them as they are, and we can do no less.

L - Lordship of Jesus Christ is recognized and emphasized.

Full devotion to Jesus Christ and His cause is normal for all Christians. This is expressed in using our time, talents and financial resources to advance His Kingdom.

L - Learning to hear Christ’s guidance through His word is stressed.

We strive to demonstrate how positive, practical and encouraging God=s timeless message is in terms that people in our community understand and to minister to them in ways that meet their spiritual needs For believers to grow in grace they need a spiritual foundation to build upon. These basic Christian disciplines need to be taught in a systematic way to progress believers from one level of maturity to another.

I - Intentional outreach highlighted.

Unchurched people matter to God and therefore, unchurched people must matter to our church. We must be intentional about being in the harvest fields both locally, through missionaries and mission projects. We believe every ministry we have must have the gospel at the forefront. The good news of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ is the best news our world will ever hear, therefore we believe every member should be equipped to share the good news though their personal testimony and the scriptures. The best opportunity we have for sharing the good news is with people we have developed relationships with.

F – Friendships and Friendliness is urged.

We want to be graceful, hospitable, encouraging and interested in the lives of people. We don’t want to have an anonymous atmosphere in the church. Friendliness is the first step to helping people find friends to assist them in their walk with Christ.

E - Equipped to understand and utilize our spiritual gifts.

Our church must operate as a unified community of servants employing our spiritual gifts. Every member is gifted by God for ministry and finds the greatest fulfillment when they are using those abilities for the glory of God.

 We are a body of believers committed to worshipping and serving Jesus Christ. As a purpose-driven     Southern Baptist Church, we join with likeminded Christians in spreading the gospel around the world.

 Our slogan, "Real People, Real Faith, Real Life," is more than just a catchy phrase. We hope that it gives   you insight into just who we are (see above).     We seek to be "Real People" whose lives have been changed by our relationship with a living God.  By helping others develop a "Real Faith" and growing in our own faith, we will help improve the emotional, mental and physical well being of people around us.  This will result in stronger family relationships and healthier marriages, changes that will impact both current and future generations in positive ways by leading others to a personal encounter with Christ.  We hope that our ministry leads to "Real Life" through the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Christ reached out to people of all ages and backgrounds and at First Baptist Church of Fair Oaks we desire to do the same. That's why you'll discover here ministries geared to various life stages and needs. That's why we have a place for everyone to study the Scriptures, fellowship together, and minister to others through numerous service opportunities.

 We want you to be a part of the blessings of God in the life of our church. We'll bring you updates often on just what's happening at First Baptist Church of Fair Oaks and share the stories of how Christ is making a difference in people's lives.