Advance 2023
Two thousand years ago God commanded His followers to advance His kingdom to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. In 2012, First Baptist Church embarked on a nine year plan to advance the Gospel with our time, talents and treasures. Our plan involves focused prayer, focused giving and focused service.
Advance 2023 Focused Prayer
FBC provides meaningful opportunities to advance the Kingdom through organized and private prayer. We regularly pray for our partners in corporate worship, leadership gatherings and all small group gatherings.
Advance 2023 Focused Giving
The FBC faith family is encouraged to make a financial commitment (above and beyond our regular budget) to our Advance 2023 fund. We use these funds to support missionaries, church planters and other ministries on a consistent basis. Although our ability to give will vary from family to family, our prayer is that everyone will participate at some level. Through the fund, monthly contributions are made to the Real Life Crisis Pregnancy Center, Messiah Haitian Church, the Great Physician Clinic, Marshall Christian Services, Grace Falls Church in Atlantic City, Every Nation Ministries in Philadelphia, Trey and Robyn Cates in Vermont, Footprints Abroad in Brazil, Crossover CUPS Mission in the Dominican Republic, Mark and Mie Busby in Osaka, Japan, Dr. Carol Spears in the UAE, Sonya Velliux in Uganda, the Porch family in Senegal, JW in Middle East, the Todd Family in Lebanon, and two more partners in Central Asia.
Advanced 2023 Focused Service
The entire FBC faith family is encouraged to be involved in the following:
*Personal involvement in service projects conducted by your Sunday School small group and/or various church ministries.
*Personal involvement in one short term mission project (outside of our area) over the next 3 years.
*Personal involvement in an ongoing ministry of First Baptist Church on a regular basis.
Advance 2023 Goals
Over the course of the 9 year emphasis, First Baptist Church sought to reach the following goals:
*Form and carry out at least two partnerships with overseas ministries. (We currently have six overseas partnerships!)
*Form and carry out three partnerships in the USA. (Currently partnering in New Jersey and Philadelphia. We have already completed a partnership in Maine and Tennessee. A new partnership in Alaska began back in 2019.)
*Transition the Cahill Baptist Chapel into a vibrant ministry center. (The facility is currently shared by FBC and the Second Chance Food Pantry.)
*Support two local ethnic church plants. (We currently partner with Messiah Haitian Church.)
Advance 2023 Conference
Each January, we host missionaries from around the world for an exciting weekend of testimony, challenge, and commitment.
Click here to watch the recap video from the 2018 Advance 2020 Conference.