Our Mission
First Baptist Church of Altavista is a Christ centered family dedicated to the worship of God, reaching out to our community and the world.
Our Values
First Baptist Church of Altavista values meaningful worship, an open fellowship, community ministries, Christ centered relationships, biblical spiritual formation, personal stewardship and faithful prayer.
Our Vision
First Baptist Church of Altavista envisions building up the Christian family by involving every member in meeting spiritual needs through diverse ministries.
Our Baptist Principles
We believe in in the "priesthood of all believers" and the freedom and responsibility of every person to relate directly to God without imposition or creed or control by clergy or government.
We believe in the authority of Scripture. We believe the Bible, under the Lordship of Christ, is central to our faith. We affirm the freedom of every Christian to interpret and apply scripture under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
We believe in the autonomy of the local church. We believe Baptist churches are free, under the Lordship of Christ, to determine their membership and leadership, to order their worship and work, to ordain whomever they perceive as gifted for ministry, and to participate in the larger Body of Christ.
We believe in freedom of religion, freedom for religion, and freedom from religion. We believe that churches and individuals should be free to worship in whatever manner they choose and with whomever they choose. All people, no matter their religious background should be free from the intervention of the state in matters of religion.
Baptism and the Lord's Supper are the two "ordinances" (special acts by Jesus Christ). We believe that baptism is an outward sign and symbol of the believer's inward faith in Christ. We believe the Lord's Supper is the dramatization of the unity of the Body of Christ as expressed in the local church. Each act is full of spiritual truth and has layers of meaning.
Our Partners
First Baptist Church of Altavista partners with the Baptist General Association of Virginia, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Staunton River Baptist Association, Altavista Area Ministers' Association, Centra Health, Habitat for Humanity, Frannie's House and DAWN
