ABOUT US
Core Beliefs
Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to religiously educate our children; to seek to salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our department; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that, when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word. And now unto Him, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, be Power and Glory forever.
Amen.
CONTACT US
You may submit a prayer request to Pastor Ricks by email to:
[email protected]
First Missionary Baptist Church
410 Scarborough Street
Lufkin, Texas 75904
936-632-2426
936-639-6648
936-632-2466 (fax)
Church Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 936-632-2426
The Ride To Church Van service has been suspended until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this interim period we hope you will join us from the comfort of your own home for our Facebook Live Online Worship services at 11:15am.
When in-person services resume you may contact Church Secretary at 936-632-2426 ext 101 on Sunday before 10:30 a.m. or leave a message anytime during the week.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 KJV
Suspended SCHEDULE OF SERVICE
SUNDAY
Sunday School…………………………………………9:30 a.m.
New Member Orientation…………………………….10:00 a.m.
Morning Worship……………………………………..11:00 a.m.
Evening Service………………..TBA………………….6:00 p.m.
TUESDAY
Sunday School Review………………………………..6:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Prayer Meeting…………………………………………6:00 p.m.
Adult Bible Study………………………………………6:30 p.m.
ORDER OF SERVICE
Congregational Song Congregation
Devotion Deacons/Brotherhood
Congregational Song Congregation
Selection Choir
Responsive Reading Congregation
Announcements Designated Announcing Clerk
Sick List Report Appointee
Pastoral Observation Pastor W. R. Ricks
Tithes/Benevolence/Mission Offering Deacons/Ushers
Selection(s) Choir
Altar Call Pastor/Appointee
Hymn of Preparation Congregation
“Word from the Lord” Rev. W. R. Ricks
Invitation to Christian Discipleship
Benediction
First Missionary Baptist Church invites you to become a part of the fellowship of the church: By Baptism…By Letter…or By Statement.
SUPPORT TEAM and STAFF
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. John 9:4
Administrative Staff:
Dorothy Bennett, church secretary
Joyce Simmons, Deaconesses secretary
Rachel Coutee, recording secretary
Finance: Roy Poole, W.H. Johnson
Deacons: W.H. Johnson, interim chairman
Associate Ministers: Rev. Webster West
Other Support Groups:
Deacons-in-training
Ministers’ and Deacons’ Wives
New Member Orientation
Support Team
Sunday School Leaders
Brotherhood
Women’s Outreach
Youth Department
Music Department
Usher Department
Culinary Committee
Program Committee
Media Team
Church History
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt. 16:18
The history of First Missionary Baptist Church is rife with struggle, strife, perseverance, triumph and resilient people.
The original church was organized between 1900 and 1903. There was little recorded history of the early days of the church. It was written that sometime between 1903 and 1906 the church burned and from the ashes two churches emerged. These churches were Pilgrim Rest and Iron Wheel.
Iron Wheel later relocated across town. Pilgrim Rest later relocated back to the old location where the church first burned. They purchased more land and rebuilt the church in 1917. The membership split again and some members organized what is now New Zion Baptist Church. Pilgrim Rest became First Baptist Church in the mid 1920s and would eventually become First Missionary Baptist Church but not before splitting again in the early 1960s.
From 1903 – 1938 the church struggled to survive but then made a significant turn for the better around 1944 when the church started having full time weekly Sunday worship service.
The next three decades would bring dramatic spiritual and financial growth for the church in the form of increased membership, expanded ministries and a vast of capital improvements.
The name of the church was changed in the 1960s to remove the word “Colored” from the bank statement which was used to distinguish it from the “white” First Baptist Church.
Ten years later, Rev. J. D. Simmons, described as a great preacher, teacher, leader and songster, would be credited with leading the modern day First Missionary Baptist Church to new heights. He and his wife, Marjorie Nell, were often referred to as the dynamic duo. In 1979, the Trustee Board took a leap of faith and decided to purchase the Leach Street property. Two years later they stepped out on faith again to build a new church at the current 410 Scarborough location. They moved into the new sanctuary in 1982.
Between 1971 and 2000 First Missionary Baptist Church reached sustained spiritual healing and the membership swelled to over 800 members. Church ministries grew exponentially and dynamic new programs were added during that time. Then sadly, in 2000 Rev Simmons died.
Determined to keep the church growing spiritually a search committee was formed. The search committee’s primary charge was “to find a new pastor who was called by God.” In 2001 the search committee discovered a dynamic young preacher named William R. Ricks. After much prayer and consideration, Rev. Ricks resigned his post at New St. Matthews Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas. He and his wife, Gloria, and their talented children, Aryn, Lauryn and Kaleb, moved to Lufkin in order to accept the pastorship.
Rev. Ricks has added a weekly Bible Study class for adults and youth, purchased two new vans, organized the Publicity Committee, Support Team for new members, Audio/Video ministry, Church Website, Sunday School Rallies, Vacation Bible School and continued to oversee other advancements to enhance the church facility as well as the body of Christ. During morning worship, he gives “Pastoral Observations” and leads in offering by giving his tithes/offerings first.
His continued love, devotion and heart for people provides a gateway for the growth of the church with development of new ministries, increase in administrative staff/Deacons, community outreach/fellowship and youth empowerment.
Under this leadership he has eight sons in ministry: Rev. David Avant, Rev. Napoleon Shaw, Rev. Elton Foster, Rev. Archie Tinsley, Rev. Michael Zachary, Rev. Don Jackson, Rev. Elode Joseph and Rev. Brian Bass.
To this day, Rev. Ricks continues to guide by example First Missionary Baptist Church as the church moves “forward, looking ahead and reaching outward” toward Salvation. Undeterred and still faithful, Rev. Ricks is leading his congregation during these most challenging times caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic using modern day platforms like Facebook Live, web live streaming, Zoom, teleconferencing and more to connect and spread the gospel.
