At First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland, mission is more than a program, it’s a way of life.
From feeding families and supporting schools here in Greater Cleveland to partnering with ministries that bring hope and healing around the world, we believe faith grows strongest when it’s shared through action. Whether close to home or across the globe, our hands-on mission opportunities invite every member to make a difference, live with purpose, and reflect Christ’s love in tangible ways.
Join us as we serve together—right here in our neighborhood and far beyond.
Faith & Formation
If you feel called to pray with others, you’re invited to join us—just come as you are and add your voice to this circle of faith.
Members of our Prayer Ministry are also available for individual prayer at the front of the sanctuary each week following worship.
You can share a prayer request anytime by emailing prayer@firstbaptistcleveland.org. Each request is held in confidence and prayed for with care.
Whether you join us in person or from afar, we believe prayer changes things—and even more, prayer changes us.
Description goes here“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2
At First Baptist Church, we believe that no one should have to face life’s challenges alone. Our Stephen Ministers are specially trained lay caregivers who walk alongside people experiencing loss, change, or hardship—offering a listening ear, confidential support, and the steady presence of Christ’s love.
Each Stephen Minister completes more than 50 hours of training in Christian caregiving and is equipped to provide care through prayer, encouragement, and faithful companionship. This one-on-one ministry is free and available to both members and friends of the church.
If you’re going through a difficult season or simply need someone to talk with, we’re here for you. To connect with a Stephen Minister or learn more about receiving care, speak with a pastor or contact the church office.
To learn more about the national Stephen Ministry program, visit www.stephenministries.org.
The Deacons Ministry helps ensure that no one walks alone. Whether through a visit, a phone call, or a handwritten card, they remind our church family that love and presence are powerful gifts.
If you or someone you know would appreciate a visit, prayer, or communion at home, please contact the church office at 216-932-7480 or email info@firstbaptistcleveland.org.
If you have a heart for caring for others, we invite you to consider joining this growing ministry of compassion and service. Together, we’re becoming the kind of church where everyone is seen, known, and loved.
Meeting on the first Monday of each month, MAG gathers for fellowship, encouragement, and meaningful service projects that make a real difference in our church and community. Whether assembling care kits, supporting local outreach partners, or simply sharing stories and laughter over coffee, this group reminds us that small acts of love can ripple outward in powerful ways.
No experience or membership required—just a willing heart and a free Monday afternoon. Come connect, serve, and discover the joy of living your faith in community.
Whether it’s a word of hope during illness, a note of sympathy in loss, or a joyful card marking a milestone, each message is a quiet act of care that reflects the heart of Christ.
If you have a gift for kindness or simply enjoy lifting others’ spirits, you’re invited to join this beautiful ministry of encouragement. Together, we can turn words into blessings that travel farther than we imagine.
Today, we’re building on that rich legacy—gathering women who want to grow spiritually, serve compassionately, and make a difference together. Through missions, learning, and shared care, this ministry reflects who we are becoming as a church.
If you’re passionate about faith, friendship, and purpose, this is a great place to get connected. Reach out to learn more about how you can be part of what’s next.
Feeding the Community
In partnership with the Cleveland Food Bank, First Baptist Church hosts a Mobile Food Pantry several Saturdays throughout the year—bringing fresh produce and essential groceries directly to our neighbors in need. Each event is a chance to share nourishment, kindness, and hope with those experiencing food insecurity right here in our community.
There are many ways to serve: help sort and pack produce, lend a hand during distribution, or support the effort by donating reusable grocery bags for our guests. Every action—big or small—helps feed both body and spirit.
Community & Care
Open to all adults—singles and couples alike—the 49ers meet monthly for friendship, learning, and inspiration. Each gathering includes a delicious meal, engaging guest speakers, and uplifting programs that nourish both heart and mind. Along the way, the group enjoys outings to restaurants, theaters, and local cultural events that keep life interesting and faith-filled.
You’ll find laughter, shared stories, and genuine care among people who believe community is one of God’s greatest gifts. Whether you’re new to the area or simply looking for a warm circle of friends, there’s a seat for you at the table.
Come as you are—and come ready to belong.
The Hunger Garden is one of the ways we put our faith into action—cultivating hope, nourishing our neighbors, and caring for God’s creation right here on the church grounds.
Each season, volunteers from First Baptist and the wider community work together to grow fresh produce that is donated to local food ministries and families in need. Along the way, friendships grow too—between generations, neighbors, and those who share a heart for serving others.
The Hunger Garden reminds us that faith takes root when we serve, share, and steward the world God has entrusted to us.
If you’d like to dig in (literally!) and help us grow food and community, we’d love for you to join us in the garden. No experience necessary—just willing hands and an open heart.
Each year, our congregation and the families of the First Baptist Church Children’s Center come together to share the spirit of gratitude by preparing Thanksgiving baskets for families in need throughout Greater Cleveland.
Everyone is invited to donate non-perishable food items such as canned vegetables and fruit, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, Jell-O, cake mix, and other holiday favorites. Funds from our Missions budget—along with your generous gifts—are used to purchase fresh produce to complete each basket.
On the Monday before Thanksgiving, volunteers gather for a joyful evening of service—sorting donations, packing boxes, and preparing each basket with care and love. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate the season of gratitude by helping ensure every family has food on their table and hope in their hearts.
Come join us—it’s one of the happiest evenings of the year!
Members and friends of First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland fill the tree with mittens, hats, gloves, and gift tags, each representing a gift of love for someone in need. These gifts reach across Greater Cleveland—bringing warmth to children at Family Promise, men at the 2100 Lakeside Shelter, seniors with Fairhill Partners, guests served at Calvary Church, and families supported by the Bethany Baptist Hunger Center.
Through this ministry, our congregation joins with community partners to share hope with hundreds of people each Christmas season—reminding us all that faith is meant to be lived, love is meant to be shared, and joy grows when it’s given away.
Faith in Action Sunday
Putting our faith to work in the community.
Each year on the first Sunday in June, First Baptist Church closes its doors — but opens its heart to the world. Instead of gathering for traditional worship, we spend the day serving others through Faith in Action Sunday — a hands-on celebration of compassion, community, and purpose.
From sewing bandages for the Red Cross to hosting neighborhood food drives, planting at the Rust Belt Garden, and lending a hand wherever help is needed, this special day reminds us that worship isn’t confined to the sanctuary.
All are welcome to join in as we roll up our sleeves, step into the community, and live out our faith through action and service.
Missions & Service
Each May, on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, members and friends of First Baptist Church join thousands across Greater Cleveland for the annual Walk for Hunger—a community-wide effort to fight food insecurity and bring hope to families in need.
The funds raised through this walk support hunger centers across the region, providing meals to nearly 60,000 people each month—half of them children. Our participation helps ensure that families from the inner city to the surrounding suburbs have access to the food and resources they need.
Whether you join the walk, make a donation, or help spread the word, your participation makes a real impact. Together, we’re walking in faith and compassion—one step at a time toward a Cleveland where every neighbor has enough.
Through this partnership, First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland helps supply essential items to women and teens staying in local shelters across Greater Cleveland. Donations of new hygiene products can be placed in the collection box near the church office coat racks.
Each contribution—large or small—reminds someone that they are seen, valued, and loved. Together, we’re helping women and girls experience hope, health, and the dignity every child of God deserves.
The Lakeside Shelter offers safe shelter, warm meals, and vital support services that empower residents to take steps toward stability. Our congregation joins this effort by collecting and donating essential items throughout the year—including clean clothing, coats, gloves, shoes, bedding, towels, toiletries, and reading materials.
Each contribution is a reminder that faith is not just something we talk about—it’s something we live. Together, we are helping men across Cleveland experience hope, renewal, and the assurance that they are not alone.
Family Promise offers a four-month empowerment program designed to equip parents and children with the tools they need to rebuild—teaching practical skills in money management, parenting, goal-setting, and job readiness.
Members of First Baptist Church support this ministry by volunteering as tutors, mentors, meal providers, and encouragers—walking alongside families as they take courageous steps toward independence.
If you have a heart for helping others thrive, there’s a place for you here. Your time, talents, and prayers make a real difference in helping families build stronger, more stable futures.
When individuals or families reach out to our church seeking assistance with food, transportation, housing, or other essential needs, Love INC steps in to assess each situation with compassion and integrity. By working together with local churches, businesses, and nonprofits, they ensure that support is coordinated, fair, and effective.
This partnership allows our church to respond faithfully and wisely—meeting legitimate needs without placing the weight of decision-making solely on our staff. It’s one more way we live out our calling to love our neighbors in both word and deed.
If you’d like to learn more or get involved, visit loveincwcc@sbcglobal.com.
This ministry is about more than food—it’s about presence and partnership. Together, we create a warm and welcoming space where everyone is treated with dignity and care. Volunteers help set up the dining room, prepare and serve meals, and share in conversation around the table.
In a part of our city where need runs deep, this meal is a moment of hope, connection, and community. And every month, new friendships remind us that when we break bread together, Christ is already among us.
If you’d like to help—by cooking, serving, or simply showing up with compassion—you’re invited to join us.
Through this ministry, members of First Baptist Church connect with our neighbors on Cleveland’s East Side—partnering with local churches, schools, and community organizations to meet practical needs, build lasting relationships, and walk together in faith.
From food support and outreach events to shared worship and service projects, the East Side Ministry embodies what it means to encounter Jesus, grow in faith, and change the world through love in action.
If you’re looking for a way to serve others and make a difference right where you live, there’s a place for you here. Together, we’re building bridges of hope, compassion, and justice across our community.
Justice & Witness
The MLK Jr. Day of Service at First Baptist Church is more than a volunteer event—it’s a day of shared purpose and community renewal. Together, we pack meals, collect essential items, and serve organizations across Greater Cleveland that are making a difference every day.
Through prayer, partnership, and hands-on service, we recommit ourselves to Dr. King’s vision of beloved community—a world where justice, compassion, and faith walk hand in hand.
Whether you come as an individual, a family, or a team, there’s a place for you to serve. Join us as we turn a day off into a day on—a day of hope, solidarity, and transformation.
The Kairos mission is clear: Changing Hearts. Transforming Lives. Impacting the World. During a Kairos weekend retreat, volunteers share meals, stories, and prayer with
participants who are currently incarcerated—creating sacred space for grace, healing, and renewal.
Lives are changed. Hope takes root. And when participants return to their communities, they often do so with a new sense of purpose and faith.
First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland supports Kairos through prayer, cookie donations, and male volunteers who serve during the weekend retreats. Together, we help share the message that no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy—and that every person is worthy of dignity, belonging, and love.