First Baptist College & Young Adults

There is something special about the beginning of a college semester.

Campus comes alive again. Sidewalks fill with students carrying coffee and backpacks. New friendships begin. Familiar routines return. And for many students, a new semester brings a new set of questions: Who am I becoming? What do I believe? Where do I belong?

For Pastor Brittany, the beginning of this semester has meant showing up.

Throughout the first weeks of school, Brittany has been on campus daily with TIDES College Collective, spending time with students from across Columbia’s affirming churches and campus ministries. Sometimes ministry looks like a conversation about faith. Sometimes it looks like answering a question, sharing cookies, or simply being a familiar face in the middle of a busy morning. And sometimes it looks like celebrating the very ordinary moments that become meaningful memories.

Like taking Danielle’s first-day-of-school picture with the Pope. Yes, that Pope, courtesy of a great idea from the Newman Center at Speakers Circle!

These are the moments that remind us that ministry is not always about having the perfect words or planning the perfect program. Sometimes it is simply about being present enough to celebrate with someone when they begin something new.

That spirit of connection continued on September 1, when TIDES gathered for its first Night of Worship of the semester at Missouri United Methodist. Students from throughout the Columbia community came together to worship, connect, and begin the semester together. Different churches and campus ministries, one shared table, and a room full of young adults making space for faith, questions, and community.

The next TIDES Night of Worship will be Tuesday, October 6, at First Baptist Church. Ella Pritchett will preach, and the Awakening Praise Band will lead us in worship. We hope students from across Columbia will join us for another night of gathering together.

Back at First Baptist, our College and Young Adult ministry begins its regular Sunday rhythm on September 13. This year, we will gather around Manna and Mercy, a study of the Bible through the lens of liberation theology. Together, we will explore Scripture with curiosity and a willingness to ask what our faith has to say about justice, liberation, and the healing of the world.

There is plenty of room for study, too. Open Study Hours happen every Sunday from 5–7 PM, with free Wi-Fi, snacks, and drinks. Bible Study follows from 7–8 PM.

And because not every good conversation needs to happen around a Bible study table, we also gather for Tea Time at Wynnsome on the first Thursday of each month from 4–6 PM. Sometimes a cup of tea and an hour or two of conversation are exactly what we need.

A new semester is underway, and we are grateful to be part of it. We are grateful for the students who are asking big questions, trying on new ideas, finding their people, and figuring out what faith means for them. We are grateful for the churches and ministries that make up the TIDES community. And we are grateful for every opportunity to simply show up.

FBC Pastors Participate in Community Focus Group on Houselessness

This week, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services hosted a community focus group focused on houselessness. Pastors Kristin, Brittany, and Hayden represented First Baptist as faith leaders from across the city gathered to share their perspectives on the challenges facing our unhoused neighbors. The conversation began by highlighting programs and partnerships that are making a positive difference in our community. Several organizations were recognized for their effective work, including many of our partners such as Love Columbia and VAC.

As the discussion turned to ongoing challenges, participants found significant common ground. Faith leaders identified several pressing needs, including improved transportation options, more affordable housing, and expanded access to services throughout the community. They also emphasized the lack of long-term support for individuals living with serious mental health challenges.

Among the ideas discussed were increasing the number of social workers in the community and developing models in which social workers respond alongside law enforcement, an approach already used successfully in many cities. Pastor Brittany encouraged use of the term houselessness rather than homelessness, reflecting a desire for language that recognizes a person's dignity and humanity rather than defining them by their housing status. Participants also expressed a shared desire to change the narrative around houselessness, moving away from language and attitudes that vilify or dehumanize unhoused people and toward a posture of compassion, dignity, and community care.

This focus group is part of a broader effort to develop more effective and holistic responses to houselessness in Columbia. Organizers have convened conversations with a wide range of stakeholders, including people currently experiencing houselessness, individuals at risk of losing their housing, civic leaders, and business leaders.

We are grateful that our city is seeking solutions informed by many voices, and we appreciate the opportunity for faith leaders to contribute to these important conversations. One encouraging outcome of the gathering was a shared commitment among local faith communities to continue meeting and collaborating, allowing us to serve our neighbors more thoughtfully, effectively, and faithfully.

The Welcome Table

We are excited to introduce the Welcome Table, formerly known as the Fellowship Table. The new name reflects its purpose: to offer a warm welcome and help connect people to the many opportunities for worship, faith formation, service, and fellowship in our congregation. 

The Welcome Table has been relocated to the elevator lobby, where it will better serve our congregation and guests while creating a natural point of connection as people move through the life of the church. Its new location also provides a safer, more welcoming environment for our preschoolers and for the Faith Formation classes that meet in the Connector Building.

The Welcome Table is a place of hospitality, connection, and invitation. Through the simple gift of coffee, refreshments, and conversation, it welcomes both longtime members and first-time visitors, helping each person feel seen, valued, and at home. It is a visible expression of our commitment to hospitality, opening doors, building relationships, and inviting people more deeply into the life of our church.

Debbie Jacobs and Anne Bills are now responsible for obtaining weekly hosts for the Welcome Table. They will be contacting those who have hosted previously. If you are interested in hosting, contact Debbie at musicedphd@yahoo.com.

We invite you to stop by the Welcome Table, say hello, enjoy a refreshment, and find connection and nourishment for the journey.

Join the Chancel Choir and Chancel Bells tonight!

Wednesday, September 9

Tonight we formally begin our new rehearsal structure of Chancel Choir 6:00-7:00 in the choir loft and Chancel Bells 7:15-8:15 in the transept. If you've ever considered lending your time and talents to one or both groups, now is the perfect time!

For choir, if you are interested in singing in the fall ecumenical concert on Sun, Oct 25, please know that we will rehearse mostly concert repertoire during the first half of rehearsal and regular Sunday anthems in the second half. (There will be some concert repertoire that we offer on Sunday mornings. You are invited to every portion no matter what!)

Please know that there is no audition process for either group! (Although an email notice is sometimes helpful for bells, it is not required.) You can show up to either group and we will find a place for you! All you need is a willingness to learn!

Reach out to Jonathan or Noah if you have any questions at all. We can't wait to see you!

PrideFest 2026: Decorating & Tie-Dye Party

Tuesday, September 22nd, 5:30–8pm, in the Fellowship Hall

Get ready to deck out your wagon, stroller, or whatever creative thing you dream up for the Pride Parade on Sunday, September 27th! We're also bringing back the beloved "You Are Loved" shirts to tie-dye. More details to come — but mark your calendars now!

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.