Our Beliefs
We are in cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and affirms the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
We joyfully affirm SBC’s oldest statement of faith, The Abstract of Principles, along with the Chicago Statement on Scripture, the Danvers Statement on Manhood and womanhood, the Nashville Statement on sexuality, and the Manhattan Declaration on life. These statements are faithful summaries of what the Bible calls us to believe without reservation or fear.
Our Corporate Worship Service is guided by the Holy Spirit and Scripture though an Order of Service that you view here.
Our Purpose
The purpose of FBC Lanett is to gather together to worship Jesus, to grow together to be like Jesus, and to go together to bring others to Jesus so that they, too, will gather, grow, and go.
We believe that gathering together for worship is foundational to the Christian life. Worship brings us into God’s presence and unites us as the body of Christ. Hebrews 10:24–25 encourages us to “not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” In worship, we express our love and reverence for God (Psalm 95:6) and align our hearts with His will. Scripture reminds us again and again that worship is not just about a place, it’s about the presence of Christ among His people.
Gathering grows us spiritually. Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey of becoming more like Christ in our thoughts, actions, and character. As a church, we are committed to helping one another mature in faith through preaching, teaching, discipleship, and community. Ephesians 4:15 tells us to “grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ.” Jesus Himself prayed for our sanctification through the truth of God's Word (John 17:17). As we study Scripture, pray, and live in fellowship, we are “transformed by the renewing of our mind” (Romans 12:2), and God continues His work in us to make us more like His Son (Philippians 1:6).
The mission of the Church doesn’t end with us, it sends us out and calls us to go. Jesus gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.” Our faith compels us to share the hope of Christ with others, both locally and globally. Romans 10:14 asks, “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” We go because the love of Christ urges us (2 Corinthians 5:14), and our desire is to see others come to know Him, so they too may gather in worship, grow in faith, and go on mission.
Our History
The history of FBC Lanett is a testament to the enduring nature of the community's unwavering faith and commitment to gathering to worship the Triune God. From its humble beginnings as a Bible Study group in a quaint mill town, the cdnrgreation has continued to worship faithfully since 1895.
In 1894, the Lanett Mill commenced operations, marking the dawn of a new era for the quiet village of Lanett. Before this industrial awakening, the area had few inhabitants, and religious life was virtually non-existent. Recognizing the need for spiritual guidance in the rapidly expanding community, a group of individuals, led by J.D. Norman and David Adams, gathered in 1893 to establish a Bible Study. This gathering took place in a modest store building on what is now South Sixth Street.
The Bible Study attracted participants from various Protestant denominations, as the number of attendees grew, the limitations of became evident. For this reason, the Baptist members of the Bible Study decided to establish their own church. A dedicated group pooled their resources, purchased the lot where the present campus stands. On May 5, 1895, First Baptist Church Lanett was officially constituted with a founding membership of thirteen individuals.
Jack Gregory, the first Pastor, led the congregation from 1895 to 1901. In 1896, the members constructed a one-story wooden building to have a consistent place to gather together for corporate worship. This structure served the congregation until 1919. In 1919, the members of FBC Lanett expanded its campus to meet the needs of the congregation. The second campus was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1937, and regrettably, the church's records went up in flames with it. In its inaugural year, First Baptist Church Lanett had 60 members and operated with a budget of $500.00. Following the 1937 fire, part of the present campus was constructed to once again provide a consistent place for believers to gather together for corporate worship, which they still use to this day.
Fast forward to June 11, 2023, FBC Lanett called their current Pastor, Jake Hayley, to lead the church. While many years have passed since the church was planted in 1895, the church's purpose remains the same, to gather together to worship Jesus, to grow together to be like Jesus, and to go together to bring others to Jesus so that they, too, will gather, grow, and go. The church remains dedicated to fulfilling this purpose for the people of Lanett, the greater Valley Area, and the world at large.
