At 5 Main St. Hill in Dexter, Maine, First Baptist Church of Dexter is an active, caring, growing evangelical congregation whose identity centers on worship, discipleship, youth, family life, missions, and service. Its mission is to send out servant-hearted disciples with a passion for Jesus and the world. The Sunday rhythm begins with classes for all ages at 9:15 a.m., followed by morning worship at 10:30, while weekly gatherings provide places for prayer, study, fellowship, and support.
The White Church Behind the Post Office
First Baptist sits behind Dexter's Post Office at 5 Main St. Hill. Drivers entering town by Route 7 reach the one stop light, with the Post Office on one corner and the Library on the other. At the light, turn up the hill to the white church with large white pillars and a rounded steeple. There is plenty of parking around the church. Visitors can use the few guest spaces in front, the small Free Street lot adjacent to the church, or the Post Office lot. The building is fully wheelchair-accessible through curb ramps and interior ramps, and ushers or members are glad to assist. Greeters at the front door help newcomers find their way.
A Sunday Service That Is Easy to Follow
Sunday morning worship begins at 10:30 a.m. and lasts about an hour. Greeters at the sanctuary entrance offer a bulletin and help visitors find a seat. There is plenty of seating, so guests can sit wherever they like, and the bulletin makes the service easy to follow. Guests are never singled out or embarrassed. No one has to stand, wear a name tag, or do anything like that. Filling out a visitor card from the pew rack is optional. Visitors do not need to give money, although members are welcome to contribute to the offering.
Child care is provided during the service in a nursery room for infants and toddlers from birth to 2 years. Older children generally attend worship with their families, but families may use the nursery whenever they need it. Ushers can help with directions.
Classes From Sunday School to Youth Group
Sunday school begins at 9:15 a.m. and runs until 10:15, with a variety of classes for all ages. The classes are smaller than worship, include relaxed, open discussion, and offer an easy way to meet people and make friends. The church also offers a two-year Bible reading plan for those who want a structured way to work through the Bible.
Children and students have distinct gatherings. Bible Club follows the school district calendar, while the Sunday youth group is for ages 11 to 18 and meets from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. From June through Labor Day, the youth gathering extends to 8:30 p.m.
Prayer, Study, and Fellowship Through the Week
First Baptist's schedule extends well beyond Sunday with regular opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship.
- Bible Study meets Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. It occurs every Tuesday from September through April and on the first and third Tuesdays from May through August.
- Fellowship and Prayer meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
- Moms in Prayer meets Fridays at 6:30 a.m.
- Book Club meets every other Monday at 3:00 p.m. from October through May.
- Safe Haven Support Group meets on the fourth Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m.
- Light Food and Fellowship follows worship on the third Sunday of each month.
A Church Family Bound by Support
First Baptist describes becoming part of the church family as more than taking out a membership in a community organization. It is a commitment to a local group of people who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, choosing to bind themselves to one another and support and encourage each other in a growing relationship with the Lord.
Everyone is welcome at First Baptist, including people of all ages, races, nationalities, and ethnic groups. Visitors may be outgoing or anonymous, and no guest is under an obligation or expectation to join. The church's emphasis across its programs is knowing God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Word, Deed, and a Kingdom Vision
The church's purpose has four parts: to glorify God and His Son Jesus, to communicate the good news of God's kingdom through word and deed, to help all people experience God's forgiving love, and to help one another grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. Its discipleship strategy asks those who worship to incorporate these values into daily and weekly life through worship, growth in discipleship, and service or vocational calling for the advancement of God's kingdom.
Missions and service are regular expressions of that purpose. Giving can be made during Sunday worship or another weekly meeting, by check, or online. A live stream is also available for worship.
Cantatas for the Holidays
Music has a recurring place in the church calendar. Each year, First Baptist presents a cantata during the second weekend of December and around Palm Sunday, using music to present the true meaning of those holidays. These annual Christmas and Palm Sunday cantatas are a distinct part of the church's worship life.
What First Baptist Teaches
First Baptist places Jesus first as Savior, Lord, and God. Worship is central, and the church values a diversity of worship styles. Its beliefs hold that the Bible is God's inspired word, without error, and the final authority in life and doctrine; that one God exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and that people were created without sin in God's image but rebelled against God. God's grace came through Jesus to restore broken relationships and pay the price for sin. Salvation is a free gift for all who trust Christ, and those who trust him are called to repent, confess their faith, be baptized, and follow Jesus.
The church is the body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to reach the lost, disciple those saved, and encourage believers to pursue their vocational work for the advancement of God's kingdom. Christ will return to judge the living and dead and reign with his people forever. Its practical aim is to help people experience God's forgiving love, grow in knowledge and grace, and incorporate worship, discipleship, and service into daily and weekly life.
First Baptist holds that the elders with the pastor have final interpretive authority over the Bible's meaning and application for doctrine, practice, facility use, policy, and discipline. On marriage and sexuality, it defines marriage as a God-sanctioned, exclusive union of one man and one woman and holds that sexual intimacy belongs only within such a marriage. The same teaching calls for compassion, kindness, respect, and dignity for every person, rejects hateful and harassing behavior, and offers redemption and restoration for those who confess and forsake sin.
First Baptist Church of Dexter carries out its mission through a weekly rhythm of worship, teaching, prayer, music, fellowship, care for children and families, and service to others, with the aim of glorifying God and helping people grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ.