A Family of God on Topsy Road
First Baptist Church of Gillis is on Topsy Road in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Its Sunday rhythm centers on Bible study for every age at 9:00 a.m. and worship at 10:00 a.m., with Spanish translation available during worship. The church is also known for K4J Kids Club in its gym, a student-led youth gathering, and mission work that includes children in need around the world and communities in Haiti. FBC Gillis describes itself as a community of people led by Christ to bring hope, strength and change to the world, one life at a time.
FBC Gillis calls itself a family of God and describes its life through six commitments:
- Delighting in Christ and seeking to glorify God through worship.
- Devoting itself to one another through fellowship.
- Discovering and meeting the needs of the community through ministry.
- Developing life potential through discipleship.
- Reaching the world for Christ through evangelism.
- Depending on God through prayer.
The church's welcome extends to people who have been involved with church throughout their lives and to those having a first church experience. Its stated hope is that each person will take the next step into this faith family. Worship and fellowship are joined here by ministry to community needs, discipleship, evangelism and prayer.
Sunday School From Birth to Oldest Adult
Each Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m., people gather for organized Bible study in classes for all ages, from birth to the oldest adult. The groups are:
- Children age 3 and under.
- Children age 4 through kindergarten.
- Children in grades 1 through 5.
- Youth boys and girls in grades 6 through 12.
- College and Career for ages 18 through 30.
- Couples for ages 20 through 45 and another couples group for ages 25 and up.
- Ladies groups for ages 18 through 30, 30 through 55, 55 through 65, and 65 and up.
- Men groups for ages 19 through 50 and 50 and up.
The many groups allow children, students, college-age adults, couples, women and men to study the Bible alongside people in other stages of life. The church also encourages daily Bible reading, study and memorization, making Scripture a regular part of life beyond the Sunday gathering.
What Sunday Morning Looks Like
At 10:00 a.m., the congregation gathers for worship. A Spanish translator is available for those who need translation. Greeters are available to help individuals and families settle in, and coffee and doughnuts are part of the relaxed arrival atmosphere. A nursery is provided for children through age 3. Dress at Gillis is always casual and relaxed, so people are invited to come as they are. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 678 Topsy Road.
The Bible as Authority and Christ as Head
FBC Gillis accepts the Bible as its manual for living and its only completely reliable and truthful authority. Its first question when facing a decision is What does the Bible say? The church practices daily Bible reading, Bible study and Bible memorization. Its teaching describes Scripture as inspired by God and useful for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.
The church teaches one God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with Jesus Christ at the center. Jesus is affirmed as the Son of God through the resurrection, and his death, burial and resurrection are central to the church's teaching about salvation. Salvation is described as the gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ, not the result of human works. Those who receive Jesus can become children of God, and belief in him is tied to the promise of eternal life.
Christ is recognized as the head of the church, rather than any person, group or religious organization. Each local church is to be self-governing and independent of denominational control. Every Christian is called to full-time Christian service regardless of vocation, and every believer is encouraged to find a place of service and ministry. The church also practices tithing and recognizes giving 10 percent of income as the biblical standard. Baptism is practiced by immersion under water. The congregation seeks daily dependence on God's Spirit, and each Christian is encouraged to share the Good News and invite friends to church.
K4J and a Student-Led Wednesday
K4J Kids Club serves students in grades 1 through 5 and is free to join. On Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., children gather in the church gym for important life skills, games and activities that earn points for the K4J store. The club also meets on Sundays from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Each month includes a K4J Day with special events and activities. During the Wednesday program, parents drop children off at 6:00 p.m. and pick them up at 7:30 p.m.
Students in grades 6 through 12 also meet on Wednesday night. Their gathering includes group games and activities, worship with a student-led team and time spent in God's Word. The Wednesday prayer meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., giving families with students and children three gatherings centered on prayer, discipleship and fellowship.
Operation Christmas Child and a Heart for Haiti
Operation Christmas Child is one of the church's missions. Its purpose is to provide God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with local churches worldwide, share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Another ministry is A Door to Hope in Haiti. The mission seeks to embody the living love of Jesus both in the lives of those supporting it and within Haiti. Its work includes sharing the truth, building relationships and helping provide love, sustainability and hope to broken communities.
Joining the Gillis Family
Membership at FBC Gillis is open to anyone who has made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. During each worship service, the pastor leads the congregation in prayer after his message and extends an invitation to those seeking a personal relationship with Jesus Christ or membership in the Gillis family.
The church gives four reasons for formal membership in a local congregation:
- Biblical reason: Christ is committed to the church, and membership is a step demonstrating commitment to him.
- Cultural reason: membership counters a consumer mentality that the church says can lead people to treat congregations as places to sample rather than communities to which they commit.
- Practical reason: membership identifies the church's community and family and defines who can be trusted with positions of leadership.
- Personal reason: membership creates accountability among believers and supports spiritual growth within a committed church family.
Pastoral and Music Leadership
Glenn George has pastored First Baptist Church of Gillis since June 2002. He describes his passion as communicating the Word of God and instructing and leading believers to know Christ in an intimate, authentic way. His stated goal is to see the church fulfill its purpose and touch the world for Jesus Christ by investing his life in others.
Bill Loftin has served as Music Minister since 2014. He leads music and worship for the church's special events, activities and services and also serves as youth pastor. His work supports the regular worship rhythm as well as the student-led gathering on Wednesday nights.
Livestreamed Worship and Giving
The Sunday service and other activities are streamed through Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Every service is uploaded and made available to watch within minutes after the live broadcast. Giving is handled through secure online giving services powered by easyTithe.
The Continuing Shape of the Gillis Family
First Baptist Church of Gillis in Lake Charles brings together worship at 10:00 a.m., age-spanning Bible study, children's and student ministries, formal church membership, mission work in Haiti and service to the community. At the center is a family led by Christ, committed to the authority of Scripture, the headship of Jesus and the shared work of bringing hope, strength and change to the world one life at a time.