Pastor of Youth & Community Candidate Visit

June 6-7

We are excited to share that we will be hosting Hayden Dennis for the position of Pastor of Youth and Community here at First Baptist Church the weekend of June 6 and 7. Hayden will be visiting with various groups over the course of the weekend. In particular, youth and their parents are invited to dinner on Saturday, starting at 5pm in the Fellowship Hall. Childcare is available Saturday night. Please email Pastor Brittany names and ages no later than Wednesday, June 3 to reserve childcare.

Hayden has been in ministry for over a decade serving in various churches in Oklahoma. He is married to his wife Emily and they have 2 dogs named Dion and June B. Hayden loves creating safe places for students to wrestle with their faith and partnering with parents and guardians as they navigate life with teenagers. His hobbies include playing video games, spending time with Emily and their dogs, and watching basketball. Hayden's resume will be available in worship on Sunday.

We want to take a moment to thank the members of the interview committee for this candidate: David Chang, Becki Forsee, Lillian Hoell, Sophia Kim, Bill Lautenschlager, Sydney Ludwig, Lexi Simmerman, Rachel Wolpert, and Randy Wyatt. 

-Rev. Kristin McAtee, Senior Pastor

-Noah Hartsfield, Personnel Committee Chair

Church Business Meeting

June 7 

We will hold a business meeting Sunday, June 7, following the Faith Formation hour. At 11:15 am, we will gather in Fellowship Hall. There are currently two items on the agenda. One, we will be presenting a candidate for Pastor of Youth and Community. They will be with us that weekend. More details will be given soon! Two, we will vote on certifying Pastor Kristin McAtee as a member in good standing. This will allow her ordination to be recognized by the American Baptist Church, one of our denominational partners. If there are any additional items, please notify the Church Moderator, David Wallace.

Ice Cream Social

Sunday, June 7

Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 7 at 4 pm for an Ice Cream Social! We will provide the ice cream and invite you to bring your favorite toppings (please no peanuts) to share as we enjoy some good treats and fellowship. After enjoying some ice cream, stay a while and help us prepare for Journey Together, our Family Vacation Bible School happening the following weekend. There will be options for the least and most skilled decorators among us. For those who stick around a little longer, we will be ordering pizza around 6 pm. Thank you in advance for helping us make Journey Together an immersive experience! 

Summer Worship Series

June 7 - 9:15 am - Awakening Worship in the Fellowship Hall

June 14 - 11:15 am Journey Together worship in the Fellowship Hall

June 21 - 9:15 am - Awakening Worship with Jonathan Ray preaching

June 28 - 9:15 am - Awakening Worship in the Fellowship Hall

July 5 - 10:15 am - Brunch Worship in Fellowship Hall

July 12 - 11:15 am - Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

July 19 - 11:15 am - Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

July 26 - 11:15 am - Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

Together on the Way: A Family Sunday School Experience

Begins June 7

This summer, First Kids is trying something new for Sunday School!

Beginning June 7 in the Children’s Suite, children and their adults are invited to join us for Together on the Way, a Family Sunday School experience focused on learning and growing in faith side by side.

Over the course of the summer, we will explore themes of the Spirit, discipleship, the church, and prayer through hands-on activities, conversation, storytelling, and shared practices designed for all ages. Along the way, we will collect mementos on carabiners as reminders of what we are discovering together.

While this experience is designed with First Kids families in mind, we also believe the church is strengthened by intergenerational experiences and relationships. Because of that, we want to extend the invitation beyond families as well. Adults of all ages are welcome to join us as we learn and grow together in community.

Part of the vision behind Together on the Way is creating space for relationships across generations and recognizing that faith is something we nurture best in community. Whether you come with children or come on your own, there is a place for you in the journey.

We hope you will join us beginning June 7 as we journey together through the summer to August 16. 

Journey Together: Connect (June 12–14)

First Kids is excited to announce that registration is now open for Journey Together: Connect!

Join us for this intergenerational faith formation weekend where children, youth, and adults come together to explore what it means to belong to one another and to God.

Throughout our time together, we’ll hear stories from scripture that invite us to practice connection in meaningful ways - making room for others, staying connected, listening well, and opening our hearts. Through worship, storytelling, hands-on activities, and shared experiences, we will discover how our lives are woven together and how we can grow in faith as a community.



This year also includes Wayfinders: Making Sense of the Pieces, a space for 5th and 6th graders to explore their faith more deeply through questions, conversation, and reflection.

We hope you and your family will join us as we build relationships, grow in faith, and experience the joy of connection together.

For more information or to register visit fbc-columbia.org/together

First Baptist Church Picnic

June 14 at 5:00 pm



On Sunday, June 14, First Baptist will gather for our annual church picnic at Cosmo Park in the Lamb Shelter. All are invited for an afternoon of games, walking, and food. Lee’s fried chicken, drinks, and place settings will be provided. We invite you to bring a vegetable, appetizer, or dessert to share!

We Want to Pray for You

At First Baptist, we believe community is stronger when we support one another in prayer. If there’s something on your mind, a concern, a hope, or a celebration, our pastors would be honored to hold it in prayer with you.

Your prayer requests are kept private with our pastoral team. Share your request anytime through our Prayer Request page, and know that you are held in prayer. Because we are better together, your joys and burdens matter to us.