A Small-Town Church with a Generational Reach
First Baptist Church sits on East First Street in Cherryville, a small town in Gaston County west of Charlotte, North Carolina. Its motto - Loving God. Loving People. Living with Purpose - sets the tone for a congregation that runs everything from a half-day preschool to a handyman crew building wheelchair ramps for elderly neighbors.
Sunday Mornings and Wednesday Nights
The weekly rhythm begins with Sunday school at 10:00 AM, followed by the main worship service at 11:00 AM. The church describes its Sunday gathering as a "nice blend of traditional and contemporary style," combining familiar hymns with newer songs in a single service. A midweek Bible study and prayer gathering meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM.
First-time guests are invited to fill out a Plan Your Visit form so that a friendly face can meet them at the Welcome Table, help them find a seat, and show them around the building. The church extends the same welcome online, asking visitors to identify themselves as a first-time guest, a regular attender, or a church member, and offering follow-up on placing faith in Jesus Christ, church membership, baptism, or serving in ministry.
Cherryville Kids
Children from birth through sixth grade are welcomed into Cherryville Kids, which meets Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM and Wednesday nights at 5:30 PM. Programming moves between large and small group settings and includes worship, games, videos, and Bible study, with everything pointed toward helping children build a personal relationship with Jesus.
The Ville Students
Students in grades 6 through 12 make up The Ville, the church's youth community. The group gathers Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM, Sunday evenings at 4:30 PM, and Wednesday nights at 5:30 PM. Beyond the regular meetings, The Ville participates in trips, summer camp, and a variety of community activities throughout the year.
WEE Care Preschool
Younger families have access to WEE Care Preschool, a half-day program offered Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM for children ages 2 through 4. The preschool provides a safe, family-oriented environment designed to prepare children for kindergarten through hands-on activities and play, while sharing the love of Jesus. Arianna Roghelia, the church's Kids and Family Director, oversees the program and accepts completed applications during office hours.
Small Communities Within the Church
Adults can choose from a wide range of smaller gatherings. Apple of His Eye is a fellowship for special needs adults that meets every Tuesday at 2:00 PM in the Creed Coffee House for Bible lessons, crafts, games, and conversation. Family of One gathers people living alone on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 PM, and all ages are invited. FBC Seniors serves those 55 and older with monthly activities that range from shared dinners to out-of-state trips.
Women's ministry takes shape through Women on Mission, a discipleship group with two circles that meet monthly. The Pearl Elliot Circle gathers on the second Monday at 2:00 PM, and the Renee Crane Circle meets on the second Thursday at 10:30 AM. Members engage in mission projects, prayer, giving, and Bible study. The Prayer Quilt Ministry meets every other Tuesday at 9:30 AM to create handmade quilts as symbols of love and prayer for those who are ill or confined.
Reaching into Cherryville
Two ministries extend the church's care beyond its walls. God's Planned Harvest delivers fresh vegetables from the goods of the Earth to neighbors in Cherryville, using each delivery as a chance to meet people, minister to their needs, and share the Gospel of Christ. The Handyman Ministry serves those in the community who are elderly or confined, building wheelchair ramps and helping with other minor repairs.
Beliefs and Leadership
The church teaches the Bible as the full counsel of God, drawing from both the teachings of Jesus and the Old Testament writings. Its statement of faith holds that God has made a covenant with those who call on Him by faith alone through grace alone. The mission is to help people explore their relationship with God and strengthen meaningful relationships in family life.
Tom Kinman serves as Transitional Pastor. Mark Dickerson leads as Associate/Youth Pastor and Worship Pastor. Allan Chapman is the Pastoral Assistant. Arianna Roghelia directs the Kids and Family ministry, including the preschool, and Pastor John Roghelia oversees The Ville Students. Wendy Gunter handles the church's financial administration, and online giving is available through the church's Realm giving page.