FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
IN NEW HAVEN
MINISTRIES
Spiritual Enrichment
Spiritual enrichment at First Baptist Church is engaging, intergenerational, and multilingual. Our lively worship service, in English with Swahili translation, includes contemporary and traditional Christian music, prayers for our community and world, and relevant, uplifting sermons based on biblical teachings. Sunday School for children and youth, mid-week prayer (live and on Zoom), seasonal Bible studies, and special events enrich both hearts and minds. So, too, does our family-friendly fellowship hour where connections are made and nurtured, and love abounds.
Community Involvement
At First Baptist Church we take seriously outreach and involvement in our community. Missions is in our spiritual DNA. Whether we're doing a food drive for Christian Community Action, participating in IRIS' annual "Run with Refugees," serving our neighbors through spring plant and fall pumpkin sales, or financially supporting local and global charities, we do it with heart and soul. Our building is also a welcoming place that is used by several groups serving the community. The Chinese Alliance Church in New Haven, a Monday night AA Group, and MusicalFolk are some of them.
Special Initiatives
The Old Testament Jewish Prophet Micah wrote: “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). The Mika Project, our church's newest initiative, was conceived in the spirit of this mandate. Mika is the Swahili name for Micah. This project provides free ESOL classes for adults in the New Haven area whose primary language is Swahili. By strengthening their ability to speak, write, and read basic English, they will be positioned for greater inclusion in American society and to access vital opportunities toward that end.
The Mika Project also helps children and teens from immigrant and refugee families enjoy a quality summer camping experience at an American Baptist Camp. Students will grow spiritually, deepen their Christian character and faith, and develop leadership skills and bonds within our denomination. The project is supported by a grant from the American Baptist Home Mission Societies' One Great Hour of Sharing Program.
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