A Southern Baptist Hub on Northeast 27th Street
First Moore Baptist Church sits on the northeast side of Moore, Oklahoma, just minutes from Interstate 35, at 301 Northeast 27th Street. The campus carries the steady traffic of a congregation working hard to be a presence in every stage of life: strollers and preschoolers heading into the West Entrance, students meeting on Wednesday nights, parents picking up kids from the Rec Center gym, and seniors gathering for a Bible study that has become a midweek anchor.
The church is aligned with the Baptist Faith and Message of the Southern Baptist Convention and describes itself as a Southern Baptist congregation committed to the inerrancy of Scripture and to making disciples. Its stated purpose is straightforward and easy to remember: Know Jesus, Follow Jesus, and Become like Jesus. Around that core, members are encouraged to live out five practices the church calls the Five E's: Exalt, Equip, Embrace, Empower, and Engage.
Sundays at First Moore
On Sunday mornings, the rhythm of the church is simple. Life Groups meet at 9:00 AM for every age, from nursery through senior adults. The single worship gathering begins at 10:30 AM in the Worship Center. The service is livestreamed on Facebook and the church's live page each week for members who are homebound or sick, and DVDs and CDs of the service can be requested through the church office.
Children are an integral part of the Sunday morning, not an afterthought. Nursery care is provided for infants through two-year-olds during the worship service. Preschool Worship gathers two- and three-year-olds; Ark Worship is for fours and kindergarteners; and Kids Worship serves first through third grade. Older kids, fourth through sixth grade, typically attend the worship gathering with their families. The Kids and Preschool hallways are accessed through the West Entry doors, marked by a large "Kids" sign.
Life Groups are the church's small-group backbone. Groups meet both on campus and off, and there are groups designed for every age and stage, including singles, seniors, college students, couples, and families. The church teaches that Life Groups are where members "do life" together, study Scripture, and follow the example Jesus set by investing in a small group of people.
Wednesday Nights Around the Table
Wednesday nights at First Moore revolve around a shared meal and a wide range of ministries for every age. Dinner is served from 5:30 PM to 6:15 PM, with a registration price of $5 per person, capped at $20 per family, when registered by the Sunday before the meal. After dinner, Kid Worship Arts gathers at 5:45 PM, and the rest of the ministries for kids, students, and adults begin at 6:30 PM.
Preschool (kindergarten and below) and Kids (1st through 6th grade) check in at the West Entrance and head into age-appropriate classrooms. Kids currently use the "Bible Skills, Drills, and Thrills" curriculum, which mixes games, drills, and life application to help kids build a foundation of Bible knowledge. Students in 7th through 12th grade open the doors at 6:00 PM for snacks and hangout time, with worship and small groups running from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM and open gym afterward.
Adults on Wednesday nights can choose from a rotating menu of Equip Groups, Embrace Groups, and ongoing studies. The Equip pathway focuses on discipleship through topics like spiritual gifts, the reliability of Scripture, biblical manhood and womanhood, marriage, and finances. Embrace Groups meet specific pastoral needs: Cancer Companions for those in treatment, post-treatment, and caregivers; GriefShare for those who have lost a loved one; and an Alzheimer's Support Group that meets on the second Wednesday of each month. The Ministerio Hispano also meets on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM for a Spanish-language Bible study led by Guillermo Alegria.
For seniors, "Seniors on the Go" meets every Wednesday at 10:00 AM for a Bible study led by a pastor and a time of fellowship, with a group lunch together on the second Wednesday of each month.
Ministerio Hispano: Worship and Bible Study in Spanish
First Moore's Hispanic Ministry is one of the most distinctive features of the congregation. Every Sunday, the Ministerio Hispano gathers in the East Conference Center for Bible study at 9:00 AM and a worship service at 10:30 AM, in Spanish, in parallel with the English-language Life Groups and worship. On Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM, the ministry hosts an adult Bible study for the Spanish-speaking community. The ministry is led by Guillermo Alegria and is open to anyone who would like to study God's Word in Spanish, whether new to Bible study or seasoned in it.
Preschool and Kids: From Nursery to Sixth Grade
First Moore invests heavily in its next generation. Preschool Ministry serves children from birth through kindergarten with a secure check-in system, security doors, surveillance cameras, on-site professional security personnel, and background-checked workers. Parents are asked to obtain a security card at the West security desk and to bring children only when they are well. The preschool classrooms use age-appropriate teaching during Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, and other times during the week, with the stated goal that each child feels the love of God, senses that Jesus was born and grew in a family, learns that God created the world, thinks of the Bible as a very special book, develops self-worth in God's eyes, shows love and respect for others, becomes aware of God's plan for families, and experiences a healthy, positive atmosphere about church.
Kids Ministry serves 1st through 6th grade. On Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM, Life Groups meet for every grade, and during the 10:30 AM worship service, nursery and age-specific worship options are offered. On Wednesday nights during the school year, Kids gather from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM for interactive Bible learning. Special family events such as Family Fun Night, Trunk or Treat, Kids Basketball Day Camp, Spring Break Sports Camp, Mission Ignition, and the annual promotion Sunday in August round out the year.
Vacation Bible School is one of the church's largest annual outreach events. VBS 2026 ("Illumination Station") runs from Monday, July 13 through Thursday, July 16, from 9:00 AM to noon, with a VBS Family Sunday on July 19 to celebrate the week with parents. The program is open to children who have completed kindergarten through 6th grade.
Students: Middle School, High School, and Beyond
The Student Ministry at First Moore, led by Next Gen Pastor Jason Peck, gathers 7th-12th graders on Sunday mornings for breakfast snacks and hangout starting at 8:45 AM, followed by Life Groups at 9:00 AM. Wednesday nights are the centerpiece: doors open at 6:00 PM with snacks and hangout, a break and pre-service at 6:25 PM, worship and small groups from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, and open gym from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Life Groups for students are organized by grade and gender, with groups for 7th grade girls, 7th grade guys, 8th grade girls, 8th and 9th grade guys, 9th grade girls, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The ministry runs an end-of-summer kickoff, summer activities, and a Student Fall Retreat each November at the Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center near Davis, Oklahoma, an unusual student camp that has been a part of Oklahoma Baptist life for more than a century. Falls Creek summer camp is also offered each June for students who have completed 7th through 12th grade.
Young Adults, Men, and Women
The Young Adult ministry gathers college students and young professionals for high-energy hangouts such as Young Adult Hangouts on Sunday afternoons, with free pizza and pickleball in the Rec Center gym. A major annual outreach is Momentum, a one-night worship gathering for ages 18-24 held at the church. The ministry also meets the young adults where they are with monthly events designed for connection and fellowship.
The Men's Ministry, branded as LIGHT ("put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light," from Romans 13:12), meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM and gathers for a Men's Prayer Breakfast on the second Saturday of each month. The ministry emphasizes teaching men to live out basic biblical principles, mentoring and relationship development, and using God-given talents to make a difference. Special events include a Men's Cookout, the Father's Son Dodgeball night, and a Men's Ski Trip held each January in Colorado.
The Women's Ministry focuses on relationships with God and with one another. The signature gathering is the Tuesday Morning Bible Study, held at 9:30 AM in the East Leadership Center with childcare provided. Women's fellowship breakfasts, a Women's Craft Night, and the annual women's missions and study events round out the calendar. Women can reach the ministry at women@firstmoore.com.
Singles and Seniors
The Singles Ministry is led by Raymond Cox and Marji Robison and offers a range of outlets, including the Singles Luncheon on the second Sunday of each month after worship, held in the Fellowship Center for $7 per person, with first-time guests attending free.
The Seniors on the Go ministry is for any senior adult who wants to fellowship, eat, pray, worship, and travel together. The group meets each Wednesday at 10:00 AM for a Bible study and fellowship, with a monthly lunch together at a local restaurant on the second Wednesday of the month.
Recreation Center and Family Life
The Rec Center at First Moore, located on the northeast side of the building, is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to noon for a $10 monthly membership with no contract. The facility includes two full-sized basketball courts with access to volleyball and pickleball, two racquetball courts with check-out equipment, an elevated walking and running track, a fitness room with cardio equipment, free weights, and weight machines, locker rooms and showers, and outdoor athletic fields.
Members 13 and older can take free Morning Bootcamp on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and Evening Bootcamp on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:15 PM to 6:15 PM. Silver Sneakers for senior adults meets Tuesday and Thursday from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM for $2 per session. Pickleball is offered free Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to noon. Children under 13 must be supervised at all times; those under 16 must have a parent on site; and those under 16 are not permitted in the weight room. Karate classes for ages 8 and up meet Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings, free with no gym membership required.
First Learning Center: A Licensed Childcare Ministry
First Learning Center (FLC) of First Moore Baptist Church began in 1990 as a Mother's Day Out program operating two days a week. It became a licensed childcare provider in 2022 with the launch of First Learning Center PLUS, and now serves more than 150 students from six weeks old to six years old.
FLC PLUS (the licensed program) operates Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM with a one-time $100 enrollment fee, $550 monthly tuition, and a $50 curriculum fee. Mother's Day Out operates Thursday and Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM with a one-time $100 enrollment fee, $285 monthly tuition, and a $50 curriculum fee. Discounts are available for siblings (15% for a second child, 20% for a third), for substitute work ($10 credit per day worked), and for church members (5% off tuition). The center uses the Early Learning Matters curriculum alongside Lifeway's Bible curriculum, and offers specials like Music, Teams of Tomorrow (T.O.T.), and Chapel. The director of First Learning Center is Tori Tanner, with Tara Kerby serving as Director of Preschool Ministries.
The Care Center Food Pantry
The Care Center is First Moore's food pantry, located at the northeast entrance of the church. It is open every Monday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and again from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, serving individuals and families residing in the following Oklahoma City-area zip codes: 73135, 73139, 73149, 73159, 73160, and 73170. Volunteers can serve twice a month on Monday mornings or evenings, packaging groceries and loading carts for families. The Care Center is also where the 24-hour intercessory prayer room is housed. Volunteers commit one hour a week to receive prayer requests by phone, write notes to those for whom they have prayed, and intercede for needs around the world.
Counseling and Special Needs
First Moore offers professional Christian counseling through Gloria McCreary, a licensed professional counselor, with appointments available on Mondays between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The Counseling Ministry is available to First Moore members.
The Special Needs Ministry welcomes individuals of any age and their families, with support tailored to each person's unique needs and abilities. The ministry partners with parents to create a welcoming Christian environment for those with special needs. First Moore also hosts Night to Shine, a Tim Tebow Foundation prom night experience for people with special needs ages 14 and older, each February.
What We Believe
First Moore's doctrinal statement aligns with the Baptist Faith and Message of the Southern Baptist Convention. The church teaches that the Bible is God's Word, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, and is therefore the truth without error. God exists eternally in three equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the Son of God who lived a sinless life, died on the cross as the sacrifice for sin, rose again after three days, ascended to Heaven, and will return again to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The Holy Spirit lives in every believer from salvation, providing power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right, and gives every believer a spiritual gift. Salvation is God's free gift received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism by immersion is practiced as a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and is reserved for those who have repented of sin and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Lord's Supper is observed as a symbolic act of obedience in which members memorialize the death of Christ and anticipate His return. The church holds to eternal security for the true believer and affirms the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, final judgment, and the everlasting destiny of the righteous and unrighteous.
Becoming a Member
First Moore welcomes members in three ways: by baptism after trusting Jesus Christ as Savior; by letter from a Baptist church of like faith, with the church handling the transfer details; or by statement of faith and baptism when someone was baptized by immersion after conversion in a church of like faith. FBC 101, held several times a year on a Sunday afternoon with lunch and childcare provided, walks new and current members through what the church teaches, what is expected of members, and how to plug in. Those interested in baptism, joining a Life Group, or serving are encouraged to connect with the church through the Connect form or by calling the church office.
What to Wear, Where to Park, and How to Get In
First Moore encourages visitors to come as they are. The church notes that most people dress in "business casual," but jeans and more formal attire are equally at home. The best place for first-time guests to park is the West Parking Lot facing Interstate 35; banners near the building say "Guest Parking." Visitors should use the West Entry doors marked with a large "Kids" sign, where a friendly volunteer at the connections hub will help families with check-in and answer questions. First-time families with children are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes early so staff can register the kids, walk parents through the security process, and explain the program. The preschool area is secure, with security cards required for child pickup.
The All In Campaign
In December 2024, First Moore launched the All In campaign, a two-year, $1.5 million initiative to pay down the building debt incurred during the complete remodel of the Worship Center and the replacement of nearly 60 original HVAC units across the campus. The construction projects were completed by March 2024 for a total of $6.5 million, with the church borrowing $5.2 million to fund the work. The loan is locked in at a low interest rate through December 2026, and the church is working to pay the debt down before the rate adjusts. More than $1 million has been given toward the $1.5 million goal, with the congregation invited to give above-and-beyond regular tithes through regular gifts, one-time gifts, and family giving banks. Special "All In" offering Sundays are scheduled several times a year.
Sermons and Resources
Sermons are posted weekly with notes, audio, and video. Past series include studies on Genesis, James ("Faith Changes Things"), Ephesians, the Psalms ("Summer in the Psalms"), Atonement, "The Teachings of Jesus" through the Gospel of Luke, "What the Bible Says" on marriage and sexuality, and "Order & Conduct in the Household of God" through 1 Timothy. The worship service is also available on podcast through Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Buzzsprout.
Serving at First Moore
First Moore's theology of service runs through Matthew 20:28 ("even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve") and Ephesians 4:12 ("to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ"). Members are encouraged to serve in one church area and one or two community areas. Serving opportunities include the Care Center food pantry, the Connections Team for greeting and parking, the AVL Ministry for audio, video, and lighting, Prayer Ministry in the 24-hour prayer room, Preschool, Kids, and Student Ministries, and the Worship Ministry through the Band, Choir, or Student or Kid Worship Arts. A background check is required for those serving with minors or vulnerable adults.
How to Give
Giving is available in person through offering boxes around the Worship Center and foyer, by texting "firstmoore" and the amount to 73256, by mail to First Baptist Church Moore, Moore OK 73160, and through the church's giving portal. Gifts can be directed to the general budget or to special funds, including the All In campaign and the November Missions Offering.
Getting Connected
First Moore Baptist Church is led by a Lead Team of Lead Pastor Charlie Blount and Executive Pastor Tyler Kelley, supported by pastors and ministry directors for Worship, Next Gen, Discipleship, Hispanic Ministry, Kids, Preschool and Special Needs, Seniors and Singles, Young Adults and Recreation, and Connections. The ministry staff and support staff work together to serve the congregation from the 301 Northeast 27th Street campus. The church office can be reached at (405) 793-2600 or info@firstmoore.com; staff details are at firstmoore.com.