What is Palmetto First Baptist's Mission Statement?
Palmetto First Baptist exists to connect people into loving relationships with Jesus Christ and with others.
When was PFBC founded?
Palmetto First Baptist Church was founded in January of 1892. For over 100 years the church has served the community as a source of salt and light. We have begun many local mission churches, contributed to the Southern Baptist Convention Cooperative Program, with other love gifts to global missions. The church annually sends members into the mission field to work with Christian missionaries throughout the world.
What do you believe?
We believe in cooperative fellowship and growth with Wednesday family suppers followed by Prayer Meeting for adults and mission and youth programs for our young people.
What role does music play in your ministries?
Our church is very music and drama oriented. Each year we produce musical dramas with extensive sets, costuming and orchestration that is designed to appeal to the saved and unsaved ~ giving them a clear vision of who Jesus is.
What programs do you have for children?
We offer WEE World Child Development Center, for ages two through Pre-K, Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. We also offer King’s Kids, an after-school care program for children K-5th grade. We present an exciting Vacation Bible School program for one week during the summer and Centri-Kid Camp available from the children’s department.
What programs do you have for youth?
Our youth have traveled to Venezuela, South Carolina and West Palm Beach as part of M-Fuge, Atlanta to present Judgement House and have traveled to Italy for street evangelism.
Do you provide counseling services?
The North River Counseling Center offers Christian psychological counseling, support groups and corporate training seminars.
What activites and programs do you provide for Senior Adults?
Joyful Hearts Senior Adult Ministry is an ever growing ministry of FBC. Our mission emphasis utilizes our puppet team made up entirely of fun loving, Jesus preaching, senior adults. You have to be at least 55 years old to be a part of Joyful Hearts.
How many members do you have?
We have approximately 2,500 members with 2,150 resident members. Our average Sunday School attendance is 600 per week. Our church is committed to a strategy of reaching our county through Small Group Host Homes. These homes are open, dynamic and designed to reach and multiply throughout our ministry area. They meet once a week at different times in different homes facilitated by members of our church.
What is a typical ministries annual budget?
The annual budget is more than $2.3 million. We are currently in a Capital Campaign Program to raise money for building improvements and additions. $2.5 million has been pledged by our membership to accomplish these goals.
What does the Palmetto/Manatee County area offer?
Palmetto is located at the south end of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge that spans the Tampa Bay. It is midway between Tampa/St. Petersburg (to the north) and Sarasota (to the south). Palmetto is considered the crossroads of Southwest Florida’s largest commercial centers. We have an international port, our agriculture industry is ranked eighth in the state and we are rapidly becoming known as a bedroom-community to our larger neighbors. For the sporting enthusiasts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Lightning are close-by. We also have many museums and performing arts concerts series available. Our temperature averages 72.7 degrees year round; perfect for golf, tennis and fishing. Plus, God has gifted us with the most beautiful sunsets anywhere. The Manatee County population is at approximately 273,000, with the city of Palmetto around 13,000. We have public elementary, middle and high schools in town; accredited Christian schools and a community college in the county, as well as, universities and Christian colleges in the surrounding Tampa Bay area.
