ABOUT US
ABOUT US
WE EXIST TO EXALT JESUS CHRIST AS LORD BY SEEKING, TEACHING, AND CARING FOR THE
PEOPLE IN OUR CHURCH, COMMUNITY, AND WORLD.
WELCOME
Welcome to First Baptist Church of Lakewood! We are so glad you found our online presence and look forward to getting to know you as you choose to do life with us. Whether this church thing is new to you or you have been following Jesus for years, FBCL has a place for you. We hope you will find this a place to belong.
There are many ways for your entire family to connect and grow with us. Be sure to take a look around and then contact us with any questions you might have!
- Pastor Walt Kellcy
WHO WE ARE
OUR MISSION
To exalt Jesus Christ as Lord by seeking, teaching, and caring for the people in our church, community, and world.
OUR VISION
To become a dynamic, life-transforming, community-ministering body of believers; to spiritually impact our city for Christ through effective ministries, attractive facilities, and friendly caring people.
OUR HISTORY
1952
FBC Lakewood was organized under the name “First Baptist Church of Lake City” on July 25, 1952.
Worship services were held in a leased, unfinished building on Veterans Dr, which is now a storefront building.
1953
Groundbreaking for FBC’s first building on Veterans Dr.
1954
Building completed.
1961
FBCL found a new location closer to the “heart” of Lakewood & better
suited for growth and ministry in the community near Clover Park High School.
Groundbreaking for the new location happened in 1961.
2005
In April, FBCL held their first worship service in their new facility.
2012
FBCL acquired the former Pierce County Sheriffs building next door to our campus. Through a whole lot of hard work, sweat, equity, & a generous church family, the “Youth and Community Center (YACC)” had its grand opening in May 2016!
In 2024, FBCL sold the property to our school district, & it is now the home of Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy. We look forward to partnering with Gravelly Lake Academy to serve our community in a variety of ways.
2025
Our mission has always been to exalt Jesus Christ as Lord. As we look to the future, it will still be our mission & will continue to guide everything we do!
WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT...
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
(SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 1:1, 26–27; 3:22; PSALM 90:2; MATTHEW 28:19; 1 PETER 1:2; 2 CORINTHIANS 13:14)
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
(SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 1:22–23; ISAIAH 9:6; JOHN 1:1–5; 14:10–30; HEBREWS 4:14–15; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:3–4; ROMANS 1:3–4; ACTS 1:9–11; 1 TIMOTHY 6:14–15; TITUS 2:13)
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
(SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 3:17; JOHN 16:7–13; 14:16–17; ACTS 1:8;
1 CORINTHIANS 2:12; 3:16; EPHESIANS 1:13; GALATIANS 5:25; EPHESIANS 5:18)
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
(SCRIPTURE: 2 TIMOTHY 3:16; 2 PETER 1:20–21; 2 TIMOTHY 1:13; PSALM 119:105, 160; 12:6; PROVERBS 30:5)
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
(SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 1:27; PSALM 8:3–6; ISAIAH 53:6A; ISAIAH 59:1–2; ROMANS 3:23)
Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
(SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 6:23; EPHESIANS 2:8–9; JOHN 1:12; 14:6; TITUS 3:5; GALATIANS 3:26; ROMANS 5:1)
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
(SCRIPTURE: JOHN 10:29; 2 TIMOTHY 1:12; HEBREWS 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 PETER 1:3–5)
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
(SCRIPTURE: JOHN 3:16, 14:17; ROMANS 6:23; 8:17–18; REVELATION 20:15; 1 CORINTHIANS 2:7–9)
FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION, SEE BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE.
WE EXIST TO EXALT JESUS CHRIST AS LORD BY SEEKING, TEACHING AND
CARING FOR THE PEOPLE IN OUR CHURCH, COMMUNITY AND WORLD.