A Cornerstone of Faith in Downtown Cleburne
For more than 150 years, First Baptist Cleburne has stood in the heart of Cleburne, Texas, just south of Fort Worth, gathering generations under one roof on North Main Street. With a church family of more than 300 members and over 90 children and youth involved in weekly programs, the church describes itself as a place where generations gather, families grow strong, and lives are changed by Jesus. Its reach extends across Johnson County, with members and ministries touching Alvarado, Godley, Rio Vista, Grandview, Joshua, Cleburne, and Burleson.
First Baptist Cleburne is a Southern Baptist congregation aligned with the Southern Baptist Convention, and its teaching reflects the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. The church's mission is to build a legacy of faith by helping people discover Jesus, live out His purpose, and share His love. That mission shapes everything from the Sunday schedule to the preschool, the music program, and the long list of midweek gatherings that fill the building on any given week.
The church is currently in the middle of a building campaign called the Legacy Fund, aimed at renovating existing facilities and preparing for new construction to serve the next generation of children, students, and families.
The Sunday Rhythm: 8:00, 9:15, and 10:30
Sunday is the anchor of the week at First Baptist Cleburne, and the rhythm is simple to follow. The early worship service begins at 8:00 a.m., followed by Sunday School for all ages at 9:15 a.m., and a second identical worship service at 10:30 a.m. Both services include a time of congregational worship followed by biblical teaching, and they typically last about one hour.
The church encourages guests to come as they are. Dress is casual across the congregation, and hot coffee is ready for those arriving for the worship service. On Sunday mornings, members of the welcome team wear name tags inside the building and yellow safety vests outside, ready to help visitors find parking, get oriented, and meet a few people before the service begins.
Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. is offered for every age and life stage. Adult classes cover books of the Bible and practical life studies, with several long-standing options:
- Young Adult Class - co-ed, for working adults and recent college graduates; taught by Alex Smith in Room 136.
- Young Families Class - for young adults, married or single, with children from preschool through high school; taught by Todd and Jessica Richardson in Room 145.
- Multi-Generational Adults Class - co-ed, for adults aged 35-60; taught by Alyson Smith in the Gym.
- Women's Class - for women of all ages; taught by Georgia Gilliland and Lois Faulk in Room 137.
- Chapel Class - co-ed, for older adults; taught by Darren Vidler in the Chapel.
- Other Adult Classes - additional co-ed options meet in Room 138 and the adult classroom wing near the lobby.
At 10:30 a.m., children in kindergarten through 5th grade begin the service in the Worship Center with their families. After the last worship song, kids are escorted by the Children's Minister and approved, screened adult helpers to Kids Connection, while babies and toddlers are cared for in the nursery. A secure check-in system and background-checked volunteers are standard for every age.
Both Sunday services and a full archive of recent messages are available online. The 10:30 a.m. service is livestreamed on YouTube, and a sermon archive stretches back through a current series in Proverbs, along with earlier messages from a series through Matthew and guest preachers such as Dr. Craig Curry.
Building a Legacy: The 150-Year Campaign
The phrase "legacy of faith" is not a slogan at First Baptist Cleburne. It is the church's stated mission and the title of its current capital effort. The Legacy Fund supports renovation of existing facilities and the construction of new spaces for children, students, and the broader congregation, with the goal of creating dedicated environments where the next generation can build a strong faith foundation.
Church leaders point to a few markers of the ministry's depth: 150-plus years of continuous ministry, more than 300 active church family members, 90-plus children and youth in weekly programs, and more than 45 years of preschool excellence through the Weekday Preschool. The Legacy Fund invites partners to give at levels ranging from $50 (children's ministry supplies) to $1,000 (a major building fund contribution) and beyond, with giving available online through the church's giving platform.
Five Core Values
The church organizes its life around five core values, each rooted in Scripture:
- Uncompromising, Redemptive Truth - the Bible is the foundation of all the church believes and teaches, centered on Jesus Christ and His redemptive work.
- Genuine, Intergenerational Worship - worship that magnifies God in a way that unites generations, stills souls, and expresses gratitude.
- Strong, Jesus-Centered Families - ministry that integrates with family life and equips parents and children to follow God together.
- Circle-Enlarging, Community - a deliberate commitment to welcome new people, meet them where they are, and bring them into the body.
- Deliberate, Multi-Generational Discipleship - spreading the gospel in the church, the community, and beyond through praying, giving, and going.
First Baptist Kids: Play, Plant, Pour, Prepare
First Baptist Kids serves children from birth through 5th grade, with the conviction that a legacy of faith begins in childhood. The ministry partners with parents to help families grow together and makes it a priority to meet children where they are, so that church is a place they look forward to.
The kids ministry follows a four-stage faith pathway that gives parents a clear picture of what their child is learning at each age:
- Nursery (Birth to 2 Years) - PLAY: meeting physical needs with love, care, and attention, and introducing the truths that Jesus loves them, that their family and church help them, and that the Bible tells about Jesus.
- Preschool (3 to 4 Years) - PLANT: showing God's love through interactive Bible lessons, age-level worship, and an introduction to Bible people and stories.
- Elementary (K to 3rd Grade) - POUR: engaging interests, helping children learn Scripture, build friendships, and grow in faith through interactive lessons and worship.
- Preteen (4th to 5th Grade) - PREPARE: encouraging children to take ownership of their relationship with Christ and to live for Him, with growth opportunities including baptism and summer camp.
Weekly touchpoints include Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. for all ages, Kids Connection at 10:30 a.m. during the worship service (for nursery through 5th grade), a free family meal in the atrium at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, and Kids Connection at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays for nursery through 5th grade, featuring Bible lessons, scripture memory, missions videos, and gym time. A secure check-in system and background-checked, trained volunteers are in place at every step.
Child Dedication is offered to nursery and preschool families. Baptism and instruction in spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible study, the Lord's Supper, and Christian community) are introduced in the elementary years and reinforced in the preteen years. Debbie Goulding leads the ministry as Children's Minister, with Alli Davis serving as Children's Ministry Assistant.
First Baptist Youth: Promote and Propel
First Baptist Youth welcomes students in 6th through 12th grade with a two-stage journey that begins in middle school and propels them into leadership by senior year. The aim is to help teens discover Jesus personally, live out His purpose alongside each other, and share His love boldly.
Weekly offerings for students include:
- Life Group on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. in the Youth Annex Building, where students study God's Word together, hang out monthly, and serve together quarterly.
- Family Dinner on Wednesday evenings at 5:00 p.m. in the Gym, a free meal open to all ages and an easy way for families to connect midweek.
- Midweek on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the Youth Annex Building, with engaging worship, biblical teaching, and games designed for students to invite their friends.
The Two Stages
- Middle School (6th-8th Grade) - PROMOTE: teaching that promotes identity in Christ, with heartfelt worship, Life Group discussion, and fellowship with peers. Growth opportunities include baptism, summer camp, spiritual disciplines, and Youth Choir.
- High School (9th-12th Grade) - PROPEL: biblical teaching with practical life application, leadership opportunities, and the same worship and Life Group rhythm, designed to propel students into their communities as leaders for Christ.
Kerri Abbott leads the student ministry as Youth Minister.
Weekday Preschool: 45-Plus Years of Wee School
First Baptist Weekday Preschool has been a trusted name in the Cleburne community for more than 45 years. The preschool serves children ages 2 through 5 from September through May, meeting Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The preschool describes its approach as the whole child, drawing on Luke 2:52 - "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" - to nurture mind, body, and spirit in a loving, safe, Christ-centered environment. The school operates under the standards of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for Licensed Childcare Center, with small class sizes, qualified teachers, 24 hours of annual training in early childhood development, and CPR- and First-Aid-trained staff. An AED machine is located near the preschool office for emergencies.
The curriculum is WEE Learn, designed to engage young minds with age-appropriate, hands-on learning. Weekly focus areas include:
- Early Academic Skills - math, science, and writing, with hands-on lessons focused on literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking.
- Creative Expression - art, music, and movement that build fine motor skills and imagination.
- Biblical Truths - weekly Bible stories, scripture memorization, and chapel time.
- Social Development - group play, team activities, and guided lessons in cooperation, respect, and kindness.
- Physical Development - outdoor play, manipulatives, blocks, sand and water play, and movement-based learning.
- Life Skills - cooking, home living, and library time that build real skills for everyday life.
Leighton Martinez directs the preschool. The church office line for preschool inquiries is 817-641-2862.
Wednesday Night: A Meal, a Bible Study, and a Choir Loft
Wednesday nights at First Baptist Cleburne are built around a free family meal at 5:00 p.m. in the Gym, designed to make midweek fellowship easy for working parents and tired families. The rest of the evening flows outward from there.
At 5:45 p.m., the Youth Choir meets in the second floor of the Youth Annex. At 6:00 p.m., Team Kid begins its rotation, and the Midweek program for students starts in the Youth Annex at the same hour. Across the building, a Ladies' Bible Study meets in Room 121, the Pastor's Class meets in Room 137, preschoolers gather in Room 116, and children in kindergarten through 5th grade head to Kids Connection in the Fellowship Hall. At 6:30 p.m., the Handbell Choir rehearses on the second floor of the Main Building, followed by the Adult Choir at 7:30 p.m. in the same building, and the Praise Band at 8:45 p.m. in the Worship Center.
For women, the Ladies' Morning Bible Study also meets at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays in the Youth Annex, offering an alternative time for working schedules.
Music Ministry: Choir, Handbells, and Praise Band
Music Ministry at First Baptist Cleburne is built around the conviction that singing together is one of the clearest expressions of unity in the body of Christ. Psalm 133 says, "How good it is when God's people live together in unity." The ministry offers a place for every age and every skill level.
Wednesday night music rehearsals include:
- 5:45 p.m. - Youth Choir (Youth Annex, second floor)
- 6:30 p.m. - Handbells (Main Building, second floor)
- 7:30 p.m. - Adult Choir (Main Building, second floor)
- 8:45 p.m. - Praise Band (Worship Center)
The ministry also includes a Team Kid music rotation on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. (with a music rotation at 7:00 p.m.) and plans for a Senior Adult Choir, a seasonal Orchestra, and a Sound & Media team. Opportunities to serve on Sundays and Wednesdays are available, and Brandon Treadway, Minister of Music, is the point of contact.
Counseling, Pastoral Care, and Recovery
First Baptist Cleburne takes seriously its responsibility to walk with people through the hardest parts of life. The Counseling Ministry provides care for individuals, couples, and families, regardless of their ability to pay. Donations are accepted and appreciated. Appointments can be made through the church office at 817-645-6684.
Pastoral care for members is overseen by Sam Patty, Minister of Pastoral Care & Senior Adults. A separate Ministry to the Dying, led by a hospice volunteer, helps families facing the final days with a loved one.
Two structured support ministries run on a regular schedule:
- GriefShare meets on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall during the spring and fall semesters. The group is designed for people navigating the grief of losing a loved one, and childcare is available to make it accessible to parents.
- Celebrate Recovery meets on Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. in the Youth Annex Building, beginning with a Solid Rock Diner potluck at 6:15 p.m., followed by worship and large group at 7:00 p.m., and small group breakouts at 8:00 p.m. A Step Study Night also meets on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12-step program for people working through hurts, hang-ups, and habits including addictions, emotional struggles, and relational issues.
Outreach: Local and Global
The outreach ministry at First Baptist Cleburne is described as the hands and feet of Christ in the community, with a focus on healing and restoration for individuals and families across Johnson County.
Local Outreach
- R.O.A.R. (Reaching Out Ahead of and After Release) - a women's prison ministry supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women across Texas through Bible distribution and spiritual mentorship. The team partners with the ladies at the Johnson County Correctional Center in Cleburne and writes letters to women in Texas prisons.
- GriefShare - a grief recovery support group.
- Celebrate Recovery - a Christ-centered recovery program.
Global Impact
First Baptist Cleburne established the Global Impact Offering in October 2023 to consolidate missions giving and expand mission experiences for the church and its members. The offering funds three streams:
- SBC and BGCT Mission Offerings: Lottie Moon (international, Christmas), Annie Armstrong (North American, Easter), and Mary Hill Davis (state, fall).
- Community Missions: Operation Blessing, the Cleburne Pregnancy Center, and Christian Women's Job Corps (CWJC).
- FBC Cleburne Mission Partnerships: Celebrate Recovery, R.O.A.R. Prison Ministry, Israel Partnership (Harvest of Asher), and Intuba (Zimbabwe).
- Mission Trips - local, national, and international, organized through the church.
Year-round giving is encouraged so that individuals can budget their missions giving throughout the year.
Senior Adults: Evergreen and Beyond
The Senior Adult Ministry supports and encourages older adults in the church and the wider community through monthly events, special events, and trips throughout the year. The flagship gathering is Evergreen, a senior adults' monthly lunch meeting held on the first Tuesday of each month from September through May at 11:30 a.m. in the Youth Annex Building. A meal is served for a $5 donation, followed by a speaker.
On every other Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., senior adults gather in the Youth Annex for a Senior Adult Hymn Sing & Bible Study, singing the great hymns of the faith and studying Scripture together. Sam Patty, Minister of Pastoral Care & Senior Adults, oversees the ministry.
Other Adult Groups
- Ladies' Bible Study meets Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Annex and at 6:00 p.m. in Room 121.
- Precept Bible Study meets Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. in Room 137, using an inductive method of study led by Kathy Runyon.
- Men's Ministry Breakfast meets on various Saturdays at 7:00 a.m. at Our Place Restaurant, 211 S. Caddo St. Each breakfast features a guest speaker and costs $15 per person.
What We Believe
First Baptist Cleburne teaches the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, the confession of faith of the Southern Baptist Convention, amended in 2023 to address matters related to the office of pastor. The full statement is published on the church's Who We Are page and includes eighteen articles covering the Scriptures, God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), man, salvation, God's purpose of grace, the church, baptism and the Lord's Supper, the Lord's Day, the kingdom, last things, evangelism and missions, education, stewardship, cooperation, the Christian and the social order, peace and war, religious liberty, and the family.
A few convictions stand out for the way the church lives them out. Christian baptism is practiced as the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and baptism is a prerequisite to church membership and participation in the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is observed as a symbolic act remembering the Redeemer's death and anticipating His return. The church is described in the confession as an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, governed by the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes, with the offices of pastor/elder/overseer and deacon. Marriage is taught as the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.
Two ordinances, the priesthood of all believers, the autonomy of the local church, and the soul's direct access to God are part of the historic Baptist witness that undergirds the congregation's teaching and practice.
Starting Point: A Three-Week Onramp
For newcomers and those wanting to get connected, First Baptist Cleburne offers Starting Point, a three-week class held every other month on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. in Room 121. Each session is limited to the first 24 registrants.
The three classes build on each other:
- Class 1: Discovering Jesus (first Sunday) - what it means to begin a relationship with Jesus, the church's mission and values, and the fundamentals of faith.
- Class 2: Living Out His Purpose (second Sunday) - growing in community, applying faith in real life, and finding a place to plug in through Sunday School, groups, men's and women's ministry, and family devotions.
- Class 3: Sharing His Love (third Sunday) - serving and evangelism, a personalized gifts assessment, and onramps to volunteer service, care, outreach, and missions. An opportunity for church membership is offered at the end of the third class.
Leadership
First Baptist Cleburne's pastoral and ministry team is led by Dr. Cliff Holdridge, Senior Pastor. The full team includes:
- Dr. Cliff Holdridge - Senior Pastor
- Chris Smith - Associate Pastor
- Brandon Treadway - Minister of Music
- Pam Ackley - Minister of Christian Growth
- Sam Patty - Minister of Pastoral Care & Senior Adults
- Debbie Goulding - Children's Minister
- Kerri Abbott - Youth Minister
- Leighton Martinez - Director, First Baptist Weekday Preschool
The Children's Ministry Assistant is Alli Davis. The team also includes administrative and financial support staff.
Giving and Contact
First Baptist Cleburne offers three giving streams through its online platform:
- Budget (General) Giving - undesignated giving used where it is needed most for the church's operations.
- Legacy Fund Giving - giving to the renovation of existing facilities and future construction.
- Global Impact (Mission) Giving - year-round support for the church's consolidated mission strategy.
Gifts can also be mailed to the church or dropped in one of the drop boxes located throughout the campus during any worship service.
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office number is 817-645-6684, and the general email is [a href="mailto:[email protected]"][email protected][/a]. The address is 414 North Main Street, Cleburne, TX 76033.
Anyone interested in visiting can find a Plan a Visit page on the church's site, and the 10:30 a.m. service is livestreamed on YouTube for those who want to participate from home.