MISSIONS

First Baptist Church seeks to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in word and in deed by supporting and participating in mission work at home and abroad, including regular trips to Costa Rica and Indianapolis, Indiana. ​

​This video is an overview of how United Mission works to support our churches, regions, ABCUSA and our partners.

International and Overseas Missions

FBC partners with several missionaries through International Ministries, a mission organization that “works cross-culturally to invite people to become disciples of Jesus Christ and to proclaim, through both word and deed, God’s reign of justice, peace and abundant life for all creation” (from their website). Here are a few of the missionaries that we support. ​

Kristy Engel

Kristy is a global consultant with a health care focus. She is trained as a pediatric nurse practitioner and served for 12 years in the Dominican Republic, leading teams, and working with public health issues. Click here for more information.

Larry and Becky Stanton

The Stantons serve with International Ministries partners Hungarian Baptist Aid and the Baptist Union of Hungary. Becky works with schools in the eastern region of the country, primary and elementary community schools in Téglás and a college-prep high school in Debrecen. Larry assists Serbian Baptist churches in Stara Moravica and Paçer with their service to the community and to refugees along the Balkan route. Click here for more information. ​

​Jeni Pedzinski

Jeni serves on the leadership team at the New Life Center Foundation (NLCF) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The NLCF serves adolescent tribal girls who are at risk for, or survivors of, human trafficking, forced labor and sexual abuse. Click here for more information.

Ruth Vindas

Ruth is a member of the Latin American Biblical University (UBL) faculty, a seminary founded in 1923 that prepares pastors and leaders to serve churches throughout Latin America and in various institutions that do community work. Ruth teaches Christian Education and Practical Theology and serves as a campus chaplain. Click here for more information.

Mylinda Baits

Mylinda is a pastoral artist and trainer. Serving as a global consultant for Training Through Restorative Arts, she partners with IM colleagues, national church leadership and social change organizations to seek justice, healing and transformation through restorative art and creative expression. Click here for more information.

World Mission Offering

First Baptist Church also supports International Ministries directly every year through the World Mission Offering which takes place in September and October. ​

Costa Rica Mission Trip

First Baptist Church strives to send a team to Costa Rica every year. Although this was temporarily interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, FBC plans to continue this tradition in summer 2023. For more information, please contact the church office. ​

Home and Local Missions

Youth Mission Trips

The Cultivate youth ministry participates in a mission trip every summer. We have been partnering with an organization called Mission Indy to serve the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area. ​

Community Ministries

First Baptist hosts and helps to support many community groups and ministries, including…

Boy Scouts 
Girl Scouts
Backpack food for Williams School 
Mattoon Community Food Pantry 
P.A.D.S. – Public Action to Deliver Shelter 
Salvation Army
Mattoon Assistance Fund 
Crisis Pregnancy Center