We listen for God's voice in our decision making about the business of His church. Our elders consistently deliver thoughtful and heartfelt prayers that help our congregation communicate more clearly with God to discern what He would have us do. Our members perceive worship as the central activity of the church week.
We have an active Sunday school program with classes for all age groups including five active adult classes. We have a faithful covenant prayer group that meets one morning each week to share concerns and learn together. Religious studies on Wednesday evenings are well attended. We offer weekly chapel to children in our Community Child Care Center, a day care center in the church.
A Vacation Bible School is offered each summer for anyone who wishes to attend and a Living Nativity is produced for the community at Christmas time. We offer a weekly after-school JYF program to our children in grades 3 through 6. Our Chi-Rho/CYF group is active in special activities. They provide special worship services for the congregation on Youth Sunday and for Easter Sunrise. The congregation is very supportive of the spiritual development of our young people financially and through volunteer leadership.
First Christian has a long and dynamic history in Poplar Bluff. We live our spiritual commitment in two directions: Inward to ourselves and our fellowship, and Outward, as we witness and minister beyond our doors.
Our state-licensed day care center, the Christian Community Child Care Center is one of Poplar Bluff's premier child care centers. Utilizing the 'A Beka' curriculum, we seek to provide a safe environment in which the child can grow and develop physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
We have regular programs of Fellowship meals and events; home-bound visitation; bereavement meals; and hospital visitation.
We have added two new staff positions to develop ministries in the fellowship: A Youth Director, and a Children's Ministries Director. In addition, a new dynamic Music Director is working with our Chancel Choir, with plans to develop a hand-bell choir utilizing our three-octave set of hand-bells.
Plans are in the works to develop a youth music program utilizing contemporary instruments and music styles. Our youth are also involved in a variety of Christian camping and art/drama/music camp programs.
We host/sponsor two scout troops: Girl Scout Troop 202 and Boy Scout Troop 166. The girls are currently working toward their Gold Award. Since inception, our Boy Scout troop has had close to 40 Eagles, 4 or 5 of these in the last year alone.
God sends us out into the world, to make a difference in the lives of so many people. To accomplish this ministry, we:
What we do is limited only by our member's imaginations. If one or two want to do a project, the church rallies behind them and we do it!