First Baptist Church of Calhoun, Louisiana, meets at 2981 Hwy 80 W and organizes its life around a memorable three-part pattern: Gather. Grow. Go. Its mission is to make disciples who share the gospel of Jesus Christ in Calhoun and around the world, expressed through worship, age-specific Grow Groups, First Cal Kids, student ministry, HeartFelt, and opportunities to give and use its building.
Faith Organized Around Gather, Grow, and Go
First Cal's vision is to prepare all followers of Christ to share the gospel with all lost people in the world. Its beliefs are anchored in Baptist Faith & Message, and three biblical passages frame its pattern. Gather is tied to Hebrews 10:24-25 and meeting together to encourage one another and do good works. Grow points to 2 Peter 3:18 and growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Go draws on Acts 1:8, where the Holy Spirit's power makes followers witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
- Christ is at the center of every effort, desire, and dream.
- People are real people with real challenges in a fallen world and need a real interaction with the gospel.
- The church will do anything short of sin to reach the lost, adapting to culture and encouraging creativity in ministry.
- It starts small and believes God will multiply today's resources through faithful stewardship, effective planning, and God-sized faith.
- Integrity is essential because losing integrity loses opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission.
- Service is marked by teachable attitudes, a willingness to serve Christ better, and belief that what the church does matters.
- People are valued over buildings, gifts, and resources, while participants are contributors rather than consumers.
- Partnership with sister churches, other believers, and other entities expands the opportunity to bring hope to everyone.
Sunday Worship at 10:30
Sunday morning worship begins at 10:30 a.m. and usually lasts from one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes. The service has a contemporary style, mixing new contemporary music with classic worship songs and occasional traditional hymns to create an atmosphere that everyone can enjoy. First Cal Worship exists to lift God's glorious name, sing his praises, and give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice of Christ so people may have eternal life with him.
Attire ranges from suits and ties to jeans and T-shirts. The practical guidance is to dress in whatever feels comfortable and come worship. The Sunday morning begins earlier with Grow Groups at 9:15, giving adults and students a regular opportunity to gather in age-specific groups before worship.
Grow Groups at 9:15 on Sunday Mornings
The Grow Groups span college students and newlyweds, adults from age 25 through age 60 and older, people new to the church, and students in grades 6 through 12. Each group has a regular meeting room and a leader:
- Agape Grow Group serves ages 40 and older in Upstairs Room 207 under Fay Hall.
- College & Newly Weds meets in the Student Center under Zack and Kristi Laffitte.
- Covenant Grow Group serves ages 30 through 50 in Upstairs Room 233 under Robert Cloud.
- Faith Grow Group serves ages 60 and older in Foyer Room 133 under John Paul Rieger and Tommy Williams.
- Fishers Grow Group serves ages 40 through 60 in Upstairs Room 208 under Danny Redding.
- Joy Grow Group serves ages 60 and older in Upstairs Room 232 under Diane Stanley.
- Fellowship Grow Group serves ages 60 and older in Dining Room 170 under Sherry Holton and Kenneth Reynolds.
- Summit Grow Group serves ages 40 and older in Upstairs Room 203 under Buddy Herrington.
- New Members Grow Group meets in the Student Center under Ken Phillips.
- Young Adult Grow Group serves ages 25 through 40 in the Choir Room under James and Kaitlin Montogomery.
- 6-12th Boys Grow Group meets in the Youth Building under Drannon Stanley.
- 6-12th Girls Grow Group meets in the Youth Building under Emilee Pate.
First Cal Kids and First Cal Students
First Cal Kids exists to grow disciples of Christ who can share his love with the world. Becky Brown leads the children's ministry. She has more than 25 years of experience with children as a former educator and school administrator in the Lincoln and Ouachita Parish school systems. She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Louisiana Tech University. M'Kayla Scriber directs young children and the nursery, while Hannah Greenwood leads worship.
First Cal Students meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. for worship in a gathering called Wednesday Night Live. Youth Sunday School is divided into middle school and high school groups for boys and girls. Emilee Pate teaches the girls groups, and Drannon Stanley leads the boys groups. A.J. Toms, the student minister, leads the student ministry and teaches teenagers about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He holds a degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Physical Education from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, previously served as an assistant student pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, and served as an International Mission Board missionary in Peru.
HeartFelt, Centered on Titus 2
HeartFelt is based on Titus 2 and Shawn Cooper's description of older women teaching younger women how to do life with God. The ministry grew from Cooper's experience at a Heartfelt Conference and her conviction that women at First Cal should gather and grow. It meets in homes across all ages and stages of life. Women share the good, the hard, and the in-between, with laughter and home cooking around a center of Jesus.
Cooper leads the ministry and is known for her love of crafting, quilting, board and card games, fishing with her husband, and skeet shooting. Her leadership anchors a ministry in which older women teach younger women through shared experience, conversation, and hospitality centered on Christ.
Worship, Giving, and Gathering at First Cal
First Cal's street address is 2981 Hwy 80 W, Calhoun, LA 71225, and its church phone is (318) 644-5101. A plan-a-visit form gathers basic contact information and asks for the best time to contact a visitor. Online giving is available through E-Giving. The church also has a building usage form and policy, a wedding policy and application, and a sermon archive for viewing earlier messages. First Cal Worship maintains a presence on Facebook and Instagram.
Zack Laffitte serves as administrative pastor. The ministry team also includes A.J. Toms, Becky Brown, Hannah Greenwood, and M'Kayla Scriber. First Cal's regular rhythm includes 10:30 worship on Sunday after 9:15 Grow Groups, student worship at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, dedicated children's and women's ministries, and pastoral, worship, and student leaders. Each part supports the same aim: to prepare all followers of Christ to share the gospel with all lost people in the world. At First Cal in Calhoun, that aim is summarized by three words: Gather. Grow. Go.