The ministry of Immanuel Baptist Church is all about focus and the Bible defines our focus. We focus in three directions at the same time. We focus upward, inward, and outward. Let me expand on this idea of focus. Here at Immanuel our ministry is based on what we refer to as the 3 C’s, and we talk about them every Sunday morning.

If our focus is upward, that means we focus on Christ and that is our first “C”. Immanuel Baptist Church is “Christ Centered.” The Bible tells us in Colossians 1:16-17 “…by Him (meaning Christ) all things were created, both in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” These two verses tell us that Christ is first because He created all things. Revelation 22:13 tells us that Christ is “the Alpha (the first letter in the Greek alphabet) and the Omega (the last letter in the Greek alphabet), the beginning and the end.” So, it is only reasonable that He should be the upward focus and the first “C” at Immanuel.

We talk about an inward focus and that leads us to the second “C” which stands for “Church Connected.” Our inward focus is toward the “church family.” We believe very strongly in a strong, unified, ministry focused inward. As members of the Immanuel family, we are committed to pray for one another. That phrase, “one another” is found 547 times in the Bible, so, it must be important. James 5:16 gives clear instruction about praying for one another because there is a benefit in doing so. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” At Immanuel, we have a system whereby we can contact every family member with announcements, news, or prayer requests.

Each family unit at Immanuel has been assigned to one of the deacons of the church. It is part of their ministry to ensure that family’s needs, welfare, cares and concerns are prayed for. The ladies of the church bring meals to the family members that are sick, or shut in. Hospital visits are made by our pastor to bring comfort and support during a trying time.

So, our focus is upward and the first “C” is for a “Christ Centered” church. The second area of focus is inward and it is for “Church Connected” family. The third area of our focus ministry is outward and that is “Community Committed.”

The Bible gives us a “Great Commission” and that is to go. Matthew 28: 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” We believe the Great Commission can best be summed up in two words: “Give or “Go.”

Give what? Well, a percentage of the tithes and offerings at Immanuel go directly to furthering the ministry of the Gospel. We give financially to local, national and global ministries.

We not only give, but we go. Every year our VBS gets bigger and better. This outreach is for children, but parents are exposed to the ministry as well. The church is decorated, members dress up, food is prepared, and the Bible is presented. A New Testament is given to each young person at the end of the event.

Every year in October we host a “Trunk or Treat.” This is very different from a Halloween event because members bring their cars, open their trunks and show biblical displays, members dress in biblical era style, New Testaments and gospel tracts are given to everyone.

The ministry of Immanuel Baptist church is all about our focus and our focus first and foremost is on Christ, He is the first “C” and we are a “Christ Centered” church. We are Church Connected because we believe in being a part of something bigger than ourselves, and our outreach is Community Committed.

If you are looking for a church to worship the Lord that is a warm, caring, loving family atmosphere with a desire to reach, not just the local community, but the world, please accept my invitation to be my guest.