First Baptist Church of Ferguson sits on North Florissant Road in Ferguson, Missouri, a few blocks north of downtown Ferguson in St. Louis County. The building has been part of the community long enough that at least one current staff member, Facilities Manager Steve Davis, has been attending since he was born, and his family was among the church's founding members. The congregation's own description of itself is even simpler: "We desire to be a church like heaven." That phrase, displayed across the church's online presence, frames a ministry shaped by both word and deed, from Sunday morning worship and Wednesday night AWANA to a twice-monthly food pantry and a traveling puppet team that has performed as far away as Belarus and Haiti.
Sunday Mornings at FBCF
Worship at First Baptist Ferguson happens on Sunday mornings at 10:30, with Sunday School for all ages beginning at 9:15. Visitors are invited to park in the north lot and enter through the northeast doors, the ones closest to the worship center. The church describes its worship style as a blend of contemporary songs and traditional hymns. Each service moves through four elements: gathering in God's presence through song, reflecting on the gospel, hearing the Word preached, and being sent out as missionaries to fulfill the Great Commission.
Dress is intentionally casual. "Come as you are," the church tells first-time guests. Some people wear suits and dresses; others come in jeans or shorts and t-shirts. Bibles are available for anyone who needs one, and all major passages are displayed for the congregation to read together. Coffee and donuts are set out in the cafe before Sunday School (from 9:00 to 9:15) and again before worship (from 10:00 to 10:30), a small but reliable sign of how the church welcomes newcomers. Those who cannot attend in person can join via a livestream on YouTube, and recordings of recent services are also posted there.
Children, from Cribs to Fifth Grade
First Baptist Ferguson takes seriously the care of its youngest attenders. From 9:15 onward, parents can drop off children in the preschool area for Extended Care; that space stays open until after worship is over so parents can stay for the entire service. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade attend Sunday School at the same hour.
During worship, kindergartners through second graders join the congregation for the first part of the service and are then excused to Children's Church, except on the first Sunday of the month when they stay in the service with their families. Children's Director Jen Reynolds oversees this programming along with everything else designed for kids, from Sunday School and Children's Church to AWANA and Vacation Bible School.
AWANA on Wednesday Nights
AWANA is the Wednesday evening cornerstone for the church's children. It is a Bible club for kids three years old to fifth grade that meets during the school year from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The program mixes games, songs, crafts, and Bible memory work, with a curriculum that walks through Bible stories and verses. Entry for AWANA families is on the north side of the church building. Families with questions can reach Jen Reynolds at jen@fbcferguson.org.
Youth in Grades 6 Through 12
The youth ministry at FBCF, led by Director of Student Ministry Trey McKenney, draws students from multiple school districts in the Ferguson-Florissant and Hazelwood areas, along with homeschool families. Middle and high schoolers meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. for games, worship, and Bible study during the school year, and they also have a youth Sunday School class at 9:15 on Sunday mornings.
Beyond the regular rhythm, the youth group hosts a calendar of social events throughout the year: bowling nights, mini-golf, escape rooms, ice cream outings, and youth camp. McKenney keeps the channel open for new students, and the church is happy to plug visiting teenagers into the group at any point.
Heaven's Handful Puppet Ministry
One of the most unusual ministries at First Baptist Ferguson is Heaven's Handful, a puppet team made up of sixth through twelfth graders, college students, and adult leaders. The team rehearses each Sunday and travels to perform at churches, nursing homes, retirement centers, hospitals, schools, Bible clubs, campgrounds, malls, festivals, children's homes, homeless shelters, and block parties. Their repertoire includes songs, illusions, balloon animals, face painting, and humor, all built around a cast of more than 150 puppets.
Heaven's Handful has performed all around the St. Louis metro area and across the United States, with international trips to Belarus, Jamaica, Haiti, and Mexico. The point of the ministry, in the team's own words, is that puppets and illusions can break down barriers where traditional ministry cannot, opening the door to share God's love with people who might not otherwise stop to listen. The puppets perform at the church's annual Fall Family Fun Fest each October, and groups interested in booking Heaven's Handful can contact Steve Davis at hhpuppets@gmail.com.
The Food Pantry on North Florissant Road
The food pantry at FBCF is one of the most visible ways the church serves its Ferguson neighbors. It opens on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to noon (in November and December the schedule shifts to the second and third Thursdays because of the holidays). Guests enter at door 10 at the back of the church building. Donations of non-perishable items are welcome year-round and can be dropped in the bins by the cafe or the church office.
The pantry is staffed by church members and supported by donations from the wider community. In a city that has worked hard to recover and rebuild in recent years, the twice-monthly distribution is a steady, dependable resource for households facing food insecurity.
Men's and Women's Ministries
The men's ministry at FBCF partners with Calvary Bible Church in Florissant to host a monthly breakfast on the second Saturday of each month at 8:00 a.m., alternating between the two locations. All men in the North County area are welcome. The breakfasts at the church take place in Branson Hall, and the men also serve together at various church events and host social gatherings throughout the year.
The women's ministry gathers for quarterly luncheons with guest speakers on missions, family life, and related topics, along with smaller events designed for connection and encouragement. More details are available through the church office.
The Annual Fall Family Fun Fest
Each October, First Baptist Ferguson opens its building for the Fall Family Fun Fest, a free indoor event for families and children of all ages. The evening features Heaven's Handful puppet shows that repeat throughout the night, followed by a candy walk through the church with themed stations. The church asks that costumes stay friendly: no scary outfits, masks, or weapons. Treat bags are provided, and registration is requested in advance so the team can plan enough treats and seating.
Vacation Bible School
VBS is a summer staple. The 2026 program, titled "Take Flight: Trusting God's Faithfulness Above All," continues a long tradition of week-long Bible learning for children in the area. The previous year's theme focused on Jesus as the light of the world. Information about the next VBS is announced through the church as the summer approaches.
What We Believe
First Baptist Ferguson is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and follows the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as its Statement of Faith. The church holds to the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture, the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the creation of humanity in God's image, salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the autonomy of the local church, baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper as the two ordinances, and the personal, visible return of Christ.
The church's own summary of its convictions runs through six core statements: belief in the Bible as God's fully inspired Word; belief in one God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; belief that all people are created in God's image and matter; belief that reconciliation with God comes only through faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross; belief that the church must be an active, transformational part of its community and the world; and belief that Jesus is coming again and that every person will be accountable for what they have done with and for Him.
Two ordinances shape the congregation's life: baptism by immersion for believers and the regular sharing of bread and the cup in remembrance of Christ's death and in anticipation of His return.
The Pastoral Team and Leadership
Pastor Jim Goforth serves as Senior Pastor. He began preaching at 13, was in revival ministry by 16, and pastored his first church as Minister of Music at 18. He and his wife Lisa, married since 1985, have two grown sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. Pastor Jim previously served churches in Florissant, Germany, and Texas before returning to Ferguson. He writes for his own blog, performs concerts, and has completed several marathons.
Jen Reynolds leads the children's ministry and oversees Sunday School, Children's Church, AWANA, and VBS. Trey McKenney directs the student ministry for grades 6 through 12. Steve Davis, whose family was among the founding members of the church, manages the facilities and audio/visual systems. Courtney Olmsted directs communications, keeping information flowing to both the church and the broader community.
The church is governed by a group of elders: Mark Olmsted, Jon Ryan, Bruce Somers, Lenny Stone, Chris Teague, and Scott Webb. A deacon body chaired by Steve Hancock serves alongside them, including Brian Ellis, Dennis Lueneburg, Ken Mandry, Levi Stewart, Joe Wood, Roger Stewart, and Larry Welty.
The Building and Accessibility
The church building has three main parking lots. For Sunday services, the north lot is the recommended entry point. Accessible entrances are available at doors 1 and 2 in the northeast corner of the building and at door 10 on the northwest side. The worship center itself is wheelchair accessible, and hearing-assist devices are available for every service. For specific questions about accessibility, the church office is the place to call.
Reaching Out from Ferguson
Beyond the food pantry and Heaven's Handful, the church participates in an eyeglass ministry where volunteers clean, repair, and evaluate donated eyeglasses for shipment to people who need them around the world. The congregation's posture toward its city comes through clearly in its public writing: First Baptist Ferguson teaches that the church is called to be an active, transformational presence in its community, loving God, one another, and neighbors in tangible ways.
Becoming Part of the Community
Anyone considering a visit will find several doors open. Worship is livestreamed for those at a distance. AWANA and youth ministries welcome new students throughout the school year. Small groups meet during the week for Bible study, prayer, and mutual support. Those exploring faith can follow a short, four-step path laid out on the church's site: recognizing the problem of sin, receiving God's provision through Christ, trusting God's promise of new and eternal life, and praying a simple prayer of reception. First Baptist Ferguson invites newcomers to come, to stay, and to find their place in a community that describes itself with a single phrase: a church like heaven.