WELCOME TO FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH OF TOPEKA!

Thank you for visiting our web site! We hope you find the information you are looking for about our ministries and our people.

This is our mission statement:

Growing in Jesus Christ, Serving the Family, Community and World.

Won't you join us on that mission? Visit our services this Sunday to learn about small groups, growing in your own personal faith and relationship with Jesus, and how you too can make an eternal impact on your community and world.

The Delight of Spiritual Discipline

We have begun a Summer-long journey along a path that will take us from all the knowledge we gained from Truth Project to applying it in our lives as practicing Christians. This journey is called "The Delight of Spiritual Discipline." 

Romans 8:29 says, "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son."  God intends that we grow to look like his Son. This process of growing to become more like Jesus takes cooperation on our part...holiness and godliness are not automatic; we must pursue it.  You may be asking, "How do we pursue godliness?  How do we grow to look like Jesus?"  The clear answer is in 1 Timothy 4:7 - "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." 

Imagine being able to nurture an intimate relationship with the One who died for your sins. Imagine spending sweet time growing in love with the God who made the world and all that is in it. The tools, habits, practices, or disciplines we need to grow in our relationship with Christ are available to us. The Spiritual Disciplines study will walk us through many of the basics that will get us on our way to holiness. 

With Jesus as our model, the Holy Spirit as our Guide and Spiritual Disciplines our method, we are on the path to Christlikeness.

G'Day Mate! Hop on Board "Boomerang Express" VBS

Hop on board Boomerang Express as VBS 2009 takes a train ride across the Land Down Under! As kids wind their way through Australia, they'll discover the vastness of God's love, and they'll learn that no matter where they go or what they do in life-it all comes back to Jesus.

This year's Vacation Bible School will be July 13 - 17, 2009 from 9:00 am to noon. VBS is open to kids who have completed Kindergarten through 6^th grade.

Each day The Boomerang Express will begin with a time of worship, Worship Rally Central. This provides an opportunity for the Kidaroos to have a worship service designed just for them and is designed to enhance the Boomerang Express experience.  It is a great way to introduce and/or reinforce the joy that comes from worshiping God. After this they will rotate to the following sites:  Bible Study Outback, Music Opera House, Crafts Crossing, Missions Harbor, Recreation Rock and G'day Café. 

Outback Guides will accompany the Kidaroos to the different sites. Activities at each site will provide opportunities for the Kidaroos to build on the Bible study topic of the day. While Kidaroos are having fun in recreation, or moving to music, or making a great craft to share or keep, they will have opportunities to learn more about the Bible-study topic for the day.

After the Kidaroos have finished visiting each site they will continue trackin' to the Bible Study Outback to develop Bible skills and review and apply the day's Bible study.  This is an important wrap-up and reinforcement time.

FAMILY NIGHT: Family night will be held on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m.  The event will feature songs and a picture show of all the events of the week.  After the rally the children will be dismissed to show their parents their classrooms and activities they made during the week. 

H.E.A.R. Our Prayer

Jesus said that his house was to be called a house of prayer. Here is one thing we are doing to promote prayer at FSBC:

H.E.A.R. Our Prayer
Inter-generational Prayer Time
Everyone welcome
3rd Saturday of each month

Kristen Powell and Gary Shook are heading up this new prayer meeting. H.E.A.R. is an acronym and the following explains with Scripture the heart-beat of this meeting.

Key Verse: "If your people go out into battle against their enemy, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to the Lord toward the city you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, then hear in heaven their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause." 1 Kings 8:44-45

H: Honor 1 Peter 3:15 " but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect"

Prayer focused on the people of God and the community of those who do not believe, to honor our God as He deserves. Prayer focused on living our lives in a way that is glorifying to a Holy God; and thus sharing our hope of Jesus Christ to the world.

E. Eternal John 17:3 "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." Ephesians 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Prayer focused on the eternal and the spiritual battle we are fighting. Our focus is not on the minutia of life, but on the things that will transform the kingdom of God and His people.

A. Action Daniel 11:23 "He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action."
Prayer focused on the people of God taking action. Prayer for the church to be active in pursing holiness, discipleship and transformation, seeking ways to build up the kingdom of God. Prayer for a revival!

R. Restoration 2 Corinthians 13:11 "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you"
Prayer focused on restoration and transformation of the church. Prayer for what God intended the church to look like and how its people should connect and care for one another.

7 Steps to Reclaim Your Summer Schedule

By prioritizing, your family can have fun without feeling they always are rushing from activity to activity. After all, running should be part of the fun, not the way you get there. 

Read the full article in the Christian Living section.

Words to Live By

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." 

Matthew 11:28 

Christian Living Resources

Have you checked out the great articles on how to live a successful Christian life in today's world in the Christian Living section of our website? Come back and check out the updated articles on a regular basis. Articles come from terrific resources such as Lifeway.com, the Southern Baptist Convention, and Focus on the Family.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT...

Our church family is full of wonderful people with great stories about how they came to know Jesus, and how they are growing in their faith. Here is one such testimonial, but there are others! We hope you'll take some time to get to know those who have chosen First Southern Baptist as their church home.

Meet Mara...

"Being a part of the First Southern Baptist Church family has been a blessing. It is wonderful to have the ministry opportunities available at this church. I am especially blessed by the friendships formed by meeting College & Career people through Sunday school as well as Christian Challenge. It is evident that these people really love the Lord. I always look forward to being in their company. I thank God for allowing me to feel so welcome in this family!"

Meet Brenda...

"Hello I'm Brenda, a grateful believer in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am proud to be an active part of the Christ First Praise Team, Celebrate Recovery, and Director of our Singles Ministry Team. God has blessed me with a church family that truly loves and accepts people for who they are. You are invited to come worship with us and be greeted with a smile, a hand shake, or a much needed hug."