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Freedom. Friendship. Faith
First Baptist Church of Asheville is a caring and compassionate church which, like Jesus, accepts everyone, condemns no one, and is committed to serving our neighbors, community and world.
Maybe not to everyone, but to us, being Baptist means freedom:
Freedom for people to make up their own minds about God and faith, and to do it at their own pace.
Freedom to use the mind as a gift of God - to ask questions, to debate, and even, to doubt.
Freedom and equality between women and men, old and young, rich and poor.
"Church" means we are a community of faith gathered around Jesus. We want to be as compassionate and loving as he was, and to care as he would care - and as he does care - for our neighbors, our community, and our world. It's a bold thing for us to try, but we are trying to be like him - as alive and adventurous as he was. "Church" means we are committed to Jesus and to each other.
Jesus makes it clear that God loves everyone - the whole world and each person in it. All people deserve our respect and love. So, our hearts and arms are open to everyone - young and old, rich and poor, longtime Christians and seekers after faith.
Our landmark domed sanctuary was designed by renowned architect Douglas Ellington in the mid-1920s, but the church that meets under that dome has existed for nearly two centuries and has been shaped by the spirit of Jesus Christ into a community of acceptance, grace, and welcome, where people are encouraged to explore and discover faith, find friendship, and join hands and hearts with other people who would like to make a difference in the world. It's not about the dome or the institution; it's all about Jesus and his way of love and mercy. |
