ABOUT US
Our church is a group of families and individuals who are committed to knowing Christ and making Christ known throughout eastern Jackson County. FIRST isn't a place for people who "have it all together" or know all the answers. It's a place where real people and real families gather to worship and connect with a living God who loves us. So whether you've been a believer in Jesus for years or you've just started checking out the claims of Christ, we'd love to have you.
Each weekend, we do our best to make our worship services relevant and engaging. You can expect great music that will help you connect to God, and Biblical teaching that will help you make practical applications in your daily life. All of this happens in an atmosphere that is designed to help you connect in relationships with others.
Thank you for taking some time to look around. We hope to see you at a weekend service very soon
Our church campus is located at 4500 Little Blue Parkway in Independence, just past the Blue Ridge bank building (next to Culvers). Click here to view a map and get driving directions.
At FIRST, we are more interested in you personally than in your clothing. Some of our people dress up, some dress casually. We encourage you to dress however is comfortable for you, and either way you will fit in.
As you enter the main entrance of either campus, you will be greeted by one of our church family. Our hosts will be more than happy to help you find a seat in the Worship Center, or to help you find your way around the building. Feel free to ask any questions about where to go or how to find a specific group. If you have kids, our team will also help you know where they can go to enjoy programs especially for them.
Our worship services are designed to help everyone connect with God in a way that makes sense and is meaningful. We desire for each person to experience the joy of corporate celebration, and the benefit of personal reflection. While our music is primarily contemporary, we utilize an array of songs, instruments and sounds, all carefully chosen to help people of every age connect with God. We also value the arts and technology as creative ways to communicate. In addition to music, our services often utilize video, lighting and other visual elements to help enhance the worship experience.
The teaching presented in our services is designed to be relevant and easy to grasp. We learn together what it means to know Christ, and how the Bible can serve as our foundation for a successful life. We talk about important topics that effect all of us in our everyday journeys. If you have a Bible, we encourage you to bring it with you. If not, don’t worry about it – the scriptures are presented on video screens for everyone to follow along.
Our church is made up of everyday people, just like yourself. We have people of every age. There are families, singles, young and old. You’ll find all of them to be friendly, loving people who simply desire to follow Christ with their lives. Regardless of your age, background or life situation, you can find a friend at FIRST.
our values
We believe that the Bible is the catalyst for transforming an individual life, the church, and the world. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:23-25, Hebrews 4:12
We believe that the church should be culturally relevant, while remaining doctrinally pure. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
We believe that God is intimately concerned about each individual lost person, and therefore, reaching them with the saving knowledge of Jesus is a priority of our church. 1 Timothy 2:3-6, Luke 19:10
We believe that a church should operate as a unified community of believers each using their own spiritual gifts and resources to spread the message of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Romans 12:4-5, Ephesians 4:1-6, Psalm 133:1
We believe that the Christian home and the hospitality within is one of God’s most effective tools for drawing people to Himself. Acts 10, Luke 5:27-32
We believe that life-change happens best in Bible Study Small Groups. Luke 6:12-13; Acts 2:44-47
We believe that excellence honors God and inspires people. Colossians 3:17, 3:23-24, Romans 12:11
We believe disciple making is one of the essential callings for every believer. 2 Timothy 2:2, Matthew 28:18-20
We believe that loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life. 1 Corinthians 13, John 13:34-35, Romans 12:9-10, 1 John 4:7-8
We believe that the pursuit of full devotion to Christ and His cause is normal for every believer. Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 22:37-39
OUR TEAM
In alphabetical order by last name
support staff
what we believe...
About the Bible:
The Bible is God’s Word to all men. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6, Proverbs 30:5
About the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. 2 Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13; 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:18About God:
God is the Creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Corinthians 13:14About Eternity:
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God, through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. John 3:16, 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15About Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5; 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13About Eternal Security:
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. John 10:29, 2 Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14, 1 Peter 1:3-5About Man:
Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by disobedience toward God called “sin.” Scripture is clear that sin separates many from God. Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6a, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:1-2About the Church:
We believe that the New Testament church is a local body of baptized believers with Christ as its head and the Holy Spirit as its guide. New Testament churches promote God’s work by cooperating together to advance the kingdom of God. The local church is to be governed independently of outside persons, bodies, groups, or authorities. Matthew 16:15-19, Acts 2:41-42, 47, Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 1:22-23About Salvation:
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6; 1:12, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1About Baptism and the Lord's Supper:
We believe that all Christ’s followers should be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that baptism is by immersion as a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; and that the Lord’s Supper should be observed in remembrance of Him as a testimony to His death for our sins until He comes again. Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 26:26-30, Matthew 28:19-20, John 3:23, Romans 6:3-5, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, Colossians 2:12Contact Us
Get In Touch Or Drop In At A ServiceContact Information
office@fbcbluesprings.org
(816) 229-9335
Office Hours:
M-T: 8:30-5:00
Closed Fridays during Summer