About
Monroe
First Baptist
Faith for Every Generation
Organized in May of 1855, Monroe First Baptist has served our community for generations—not as a monument to the past, but as a living body of believers who continue to grow, serve, and proclaim Christ today. While we’re thankful for the faithful witness of those who came before us, our eyes are on what God is doing now and what He is leading us to next. Although we're far from perfect, we strive to be a church for every generation, following Christ together.
Our Commitment
The church doesn’t create its own purpose—it simply follows God’s purposes, which shape its identity and mission. At First Baptist Church, we are committed to teaching the Word faithfully (Doctrine), growing together in covenantal fellowship with one another, and lifting our hearts in joyful, reverent worship through prayer and the ordinances. We aim to reflect Christ’s love through mutual care and generous service, and we are devoted to sharing the gospel, both in Monroe and to the ends of the earth. These five purposes—drawn from Acts 2—define who we are and guide all we do.
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What We Believe
At our core, we are a church built on the unshakable truth of God’s Word and the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We joyfully affirm the following foundational truths, which reflect a basic understanding of Scripture in line with the historic Baptist faith:
The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and sufficient Word of God. It is our final authority in all matters of faith and life, revealing who God is, what He requires, and how sinners may be saved through Jesus Christ.
📖 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Psalm 19:7–11; John 17:17
God and the Holy Trinity
There is one living and true God, infinite in holiness, wisdom, power, and glory. He exists eternally in three distinct persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—each equal in essence, yet distinct in role, united in purpose.
📖 Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Man and Sin
God created man upright and in His own image, yet through Adam’s fall, all mankind became sinful by nature and guilty before God. As a result, we are entirely dependent upon God’s mercy for our salvation and restoration.
📖 Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 3:10–12, 23; Romans 5:12
The Person and Work of Christ
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, took on human nature and lived a sinless life. He suffered and died on the cross as a substitute for sinners, bearing the punishment we deserved. He rose bodily from the grave, victorious over sin and death, and now reigns at the right hand of the Father.
📖 John 1:1,14; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Hebrews 1:3
Salvation by Grace Alone
We believe that salvation is entirely by God’s grace, not by works or human merit. It is applied to us through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Those whom God effectually calls by His Spirit are regenerated, justified, and adopted as His children.
📖 Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5–7; Romans 8:29–30; John 1:12–13
The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit regenerates the heart, unites us to Christ, enables us to repent and believe, and indwells every believer. He sanctifies us, assuring us of our adoption and enabling us to grow in holiness and obedience.
📖 John 3:5–8; Romans 8:9–16; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that baptism is an ordinance of Christ, to be administered to believers alone, by immersion in water, as a sign of union with Christ in His death and resurrection. The Lord’s Supper is to be observed by baptized believers as a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and a means of spiritual nourishment and unity in the body.
📖 Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
The Church
The local church is a congregation of baptized believers, gathered under the Lordship of Christ to worship God, preach the Word, administer the ordinances, exercise loving discipline, and carry out the Great Commission. Christ is the sole Head of the Church.
📖 Acts 2:42–47; Ephesians 4:11–16; Matthew 18:15–17; Colossians 1:18
The Lord's Day
The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, to be kept holy. On this day, we set aside ordinary labor to gather for worship, to delight in God, and to rest in the finished work of Christ. Sunday is the day Christ rose from the dead, and so it became the day on which New Testament believers gathered to worship Him.
📖 Revelation 1:10; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Hebrews 4:9–10; Isaiah 58:13–14
The Return of Christ and Final Judgment
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return personally, visibly, and gloriously to judge the living and the dead. The righteous will enter into everlasting life, and the unrepentant will face eternal judgment under God’s just wrath.
📖 Acts 1:11; Matthew 25:31–46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 20:11–15
Our Pastor
Pastor Jeremy Ward serves as the pastor of First Baptist Church of Monroe, where he is dedicated to preaching the Word of God, shepherding the church family, and pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ. Before coming to Monroe in 2024, he served in pastoral ministry roles at churches in southern California and central Iowa, and also ministered for several years as a workplace chaplain—offering practical care and gospel hope in everyday settings.
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Pastor Jeremy holds degrees from Pacific Baptist College and the University of Iowa and has completed postgraduate studies at Liberty Theological Seminary and the London Reformed Baptist Seminary. He is committed to sound doctrine, spiritual growth, and equipping believers to live faithfully in a changing world.
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Jeremy and his wife, Rebekah, have three children and enjoy serving the Lord together in rural church ministry. In his spare time, he enjoys sports, outdoor recreation, restoring vehicles, tackling renovation projects around the house, and playing both piano and guitar.
Hello,
my name is Jeremy Ward.
Thank you for taking a moment to visit our church website! It’s my joy to serve as the pastor of First Baptist Church of Monroe, where we seek to honor Christ, love one another, and remain rooted in the truth of God’s Word.
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If you’re looking for a church family that values meaningful worship, biblical preaching, and Christ-centered community, I’d love to invite you to join us this Sunday. Whether you're just beginning to explore faith or have walked with the Lord for years, you’re welcome here. I look forward to meeting you and walking alongside you as we grow together in grace.
