ABOUT FBCOPV
WELCOME TO THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PROGRESS VILLAGE!
We believe that God’s purpose for First Baptist (the First Family) is to show people how to have eternal life and experience abundant life through vital connections within a church family.
Therefore, we have committed our lives to keep the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and fulfill the Great Commission, thereby Growing the Church for Global Change for the Glory of God! (Matthew 28:19, 20; and Acts 1:8)
Matthew 22:36-40 – The Great Commandment: “Jesus said…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment
(Worship). And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Ministry). On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Matthew 28:19-20 – The Great Commission: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations (Evangelism), baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Fellowship): Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Discipleship): and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
As a result of our commitment the First Family continues to grow Stronger through Worship, Broader through Ministry, Larger through Evangelism, Warmer through Fellowship, and Deeper through Discipleship.
These five purposes guide the First Family to Maintain Balance in the Mission and Remain Biblical in the Message. This balance between the mission of the church and the message of the Scripture presupposes the spiritual reality that if “we concentrate on building people, God will build the church, and the church will build buildings to His Glory”.
If you believe God wills it, COME GROW WITH US!!!
CHURCH HISTORY
Rev. Booker T. Williams
1960 - 1977
Rev. Roosevelt Robinson, Jr.
1978 - 1993
Pastor Dr. Sam Maxwell, Sr.
1994 - 2023
Senior Pastor Todd E. Hammond
2023 - Present
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Ephesians 1:9-11,12
The local assembly of The First Baptist Church of Progress Village had its beginning in 1960 under the vision of The Mount Pilgrim Baptist Association and the shepherding of Rev. Booker T. Williams who was charged with the task of “planting” God’s church in the Progress Village community. Upon his homegoing the Lord blessed the flock with another servant-leader; Rev. Roosevelt Robinson, Jr. who continued to nurture the growth of God’s church – “watering” that which had been planted. Upon his homegoing, God blessed The First Baptist Church of Progress Village with a Pastor-Teacher; Sam Maxwell, again continuing to water that which was planted, knowing that “
… neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” Dr. Maxwell was succeeded by his mentee when he retired from full-time pastorate. Todd E. Hammond currently serves as our family's fourth Senior Pastor and continues the strong shepherd legacy of those before him.
We are grateful to God for all the founders and pioneer members as well as those who are still with us today who recognized the need to fulfill God’s purposes in His church and the lives of His people through Fellowship, Worship, Discipleship,Ministry, and Evangelism. We embrace these five-fold purposes in the ministry of the “First Family”.
We recognize that THIS CHURCH has been Planned for God’s Pleasure, Planted for His Purpose and we will continue daily Pursuing the Praise of His Glory!!! As we celebrate Jesus we continue to answer with much assurance the question –
“What On Earth Am I Here For?”
We were Planned for God’s Pleasure
We were Formed for God’s Family
We were Created to become like Christ
We were Shaped for serving God
And
We were Made for a Mission
It’s All About Him!!
CHURCH PURPOSE
The purpose of our church is summarized in a single sentence based on two key scriptures: Matthew 22:36-40 - The Great Commandment: "Jesus said...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen"
"We believe we must commit our lives to keep the Great Commandment and fulfill the Great Commission, thereby Growing the Church for Global Change for the Glory of God!"
The statement of purpose is fulfilled in five major areas:
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Worship - To strengthen the church by celebrating God's presence.
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Outreach - To communicate God's word to the unsaved people in the immediate community and to the world.
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Fellowship - To encourage members to grow warmer as it relates to their interpersonal caring and sharing one to another.
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Discipleship - To educate God's people toward spiritual maturity through corporate learning and a call for the response of personal obedience to the Scripture.
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Ministry - To demonstrate God's love within the body of Christ in particular and to the world in general. The church grows broader as each member actively participates in a ministry.
We embrace the five purposes to maintain balance in the mission and remain Biblical in the message.
"Glory to God, Great Things He Hath Done"
MEET PASTOR TODD
Pastor Todd Hammond is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is husband to Stacia Hammond of St.
Petersburg, Florida. Married for over twenty-five years, they are grateful to God for three children: Xavier,
Christian, and Roselyn. He accepted Jesus Christ and the gift of salvation at eight years of age and has since
been active in many church ministries. Pastor Todd and his family joined the First Baptist
Church of Progress Village membership in 2004 upon relocation from Durham, North Carolina. After
answering his calling from God in 2008, he served as Associate Minister and, in 2017, as Executive Pastor
under the direction and mentorship of Dr. Sam Maxwell, Sr., now Pastor Emeritus. In 2022, in preparation for Dr. Maxwell’s retirement, the First Family prayerfully called Pastor Todd to be the fourth Senior Teaching Pastor in the church’s 63-year history.
Pastor Todd was a dedicated employee at International Business Machines (IBM)for twenty-three years. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Florida A&M University School of Business & Industry and aBible Diploma from Faith Bible Institute. He is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Liberty University.
Pastor Todd is passionate about God’s word with its relevant and transforming power in the lives of believers. Relying on the sufficiency of God’s grace, Pastor Todd the matically reminds us that nothing is too hard for God, nor can anything separate us from the love of God.
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us,who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31
MEET THE STAFF
CONTACT & QUESTIONS
For additional information or questions, please email the staff or call the church office during business hours at (813) 677-1948 or visit us in person.