Parking
We have three parking areas at FBCLW. Accessible parking spaces are in our front parking lot. Two other parking lots are located off of Tillman Avenue and another off of 50 South 4th Street.
What to Expect
Arrival Time
We invite you to join us at our Daybreak Café starting at 8:30 a.m. Our Life Connection Groups begin at 9:15 a.m., followed by our 10:30 a.m. Worship Service.
Location
First Baptist Church
Lake Wales
50 S 4th Street
Lake Wales, FL 33853
What to Wear
From flip-flops to wingtips, we have it all. Be relaxed or dress it up—we'll be happy to see you.
Worship Style
We are blessed to enjoy a variety of music. Each week, we rotate through different worship teams.
Teaching Style
Every worship service and Sunday school class involves a Biblically-focused message. We love to learn.
More Questions?
We can help. Call us at 868.676.3436 (M-TH, 8 am-5 pm and 8 am-12 pm) or email fbclw@fbclw.com.
Our Mission
To serve and lead all people into a growing relationship with Jesus.
Our Beliefs
1. About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27 Genesis 3:22 Psalm 90:2 Matthew 28:19 1 Peter 1:2 2 Corinthians 13:14
2. About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal, in essence, with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to Earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23 Isaiah 9:6 John 14:10-30 Hebrews 4:14, 15 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 Romans 1:3, 4 Acts 1:9-11 1 Timothy 6:14, 15 John 1:1-5 Titus 2:13
3. About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal, in essence, with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17 John 16:7-13 John 14:16, 17 Ephesians 5:18 1 Corinthians 2:12 1 Corinthians 3:16 Ephesians 1:13 Galatians 5:25 Acts 1:8
4. About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16 2 Peter 1:20, 21 2 Timothy 1:13 Psalm 119:105, 160 Psalm 12:6 Proverbs 30:5
5. About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27 Psalm 8:3-6 Isaiah 53:6a Romans 3:23 Isaiah 59:1, 2
6. About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sins by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23 Ephesians 2:8, 9 John 14:6 John 1:12 Titus 3:5
7. About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29 2 Timothy 1:12 Hebrews 7:25 Hebrews 10:10, 14 1 Peter 1:3-5
8. About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16 John 14:17 Romans 6:23 Romans 8:17-18 Revelation 20:15 1 Corinthians 2:7-9
These beliefs are ones we deem to be the essentials extracted from the Baptist Faith & Message, 2000. For the full listing of the beliefs in that document that we are in accord with please go to www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27 Genesis 3:22 Psalm 90:2 Matthew 28:19 1 Peter 1:2 2 Corinthians 13:14
2. About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal, in essence, with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to Earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23 Isaiah 9:6 John 14:10-30 Hebrews 4:14, 15 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 Romans 1:3, 4 Acts 1:9-11 1 Timothy 6:14, 15 John 1:1-5 Titus 2:13
3. About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal, in essence, with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17 John 16:7-13 John 14:16, 17 Ephesians 5:18 1 Corinthians 2:12 1 Corinthians 3:16 Ephesians 1:13 Galatians 5:25 Acts 1:8
4. About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16 2 Peter 1:20, 21 2 Timothy 1:13 Psalm 119:105, 160 Psalm 12:6 Proverbs 30:5
5. About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27 Psalm 8:3-6 Isaiah 53:6a Romans 3:23 Isaiah 59:1, 2
6. About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sins by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23 Ephesians 2:8, 9 John 14:6 John 1:12 Titus 3:5
7. About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29 2 Timothy 1:12 Hebrews 7:25 Hebrews 10:10, 14 1 Peter 1:3-5
8. About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16 John 14:17 Romans 6:23 Romans 8:17-18 Revelation 20:15 1 Corinthians 2:7-9
These beliefs are ones we deem to be the essentials extracted from the Baptist Faith & Message, 2000. For the full listing of the beliefs in that document that we are in accord with please go to www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp
Our Core Values
1.) TRANSFORMATIONAL BIBLE TEACHING – We value seeing God transform lives & move people toward Christ-like maturity through the applied teaching of God’s authoritative Word.
1 Timothy 3:16 & Colossians 1:28
2.) EVANGELISM/MISSIONS – We believe Christ calls us to share his Gospel & serve the needs of others locally & globally. Therefore, we will go, supply, equip & send people from our church to preach & teach the good news & to meet the physical, emotional, relational & spiritual needs of all people.
Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 12:13, Luke 10:25-37
3.) AUTHENTIC WORSHIP – We believe God is worthy of our praise and that we were created to experience a personal connection to Jesus Christ through thanksgiving and praise. Therefore, we will seek to facilitate worship experiences that are Christ-centered, biblically-driven & enable people to connect to Christ by faith.
Psalm 8:3-4; Psalm 95:6-7; 1 Corinthians 10:31; John 20:28
4.) FAMILY – We value the biblical design of the family and believe that design, given by God, is best for the nurture & development of all people. Therefore, we will resource, pray for, support, and encourage Christian parents as the primary faith-shapers of their children.
Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Ephesians 5:22
5.) FELLOWSHIP/COMMUNITY – We value people experiencing Christian fellowship & a vital sense of community within the church body. Furthermore, we delight in fostering cooperative relationships within our local area as we show the love of Christ while being culturally relevant and biblically rooted.
Acts 2:42-47; Mark 9:40; 1 Corinthians 9:22-23; Acts 17:16-34.
6.) PRAYER – We value prayer as the means by which God invites us into his presence and into the stream of his activity in the world. We value such conversational prayer with God for the purposes of worship, thanksgiving, confession, interceding for the needs of others, as well as the presenting of personal needs to God by way of petition.
Romans 12:12, Colossians 4:2, & James 5:16.
1 Timothy 3:16 & Colossians 1:28
2.) EVANGELISM/MISSIONS – We believe Christ calls us to share his Gospel & serve the needs of others locally & globally. Therefore, we will go, supply, equip & send people from our church to preach & teach the good news & to meet the physical, emotional, relational & spiritual needs of all people.
Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 12:13, Luke 10:25-37
3.) AUTHENTIC WORSHIP – We believe God is worthy of our praise and that we were created to experience a personal connection to Jesus Christ through thanksgiving and praise. Therefore, we will seek to facilitate worship experiences that are Christ-centered, biblically-driven & enable people to connect to Christ by faith.
Psalm 8:3-4; Psalm 95:6-7; 1 Corinthians 10:31; John 20:28
4.) FAMILY – We value the biblical design of the family and believe that design, given by God, is best for the nurture & development of all people. Therefore, we will resource, pray for, support, and encourage Christian parents as the primary faith-shapers of their children.
Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Ephesians 5:22
5.) FELLOWSHIP/COMMUNITY – We value people experiencing Christian fellowship & a vital sense of community within the church body. Furthermore, we delight in fostering cooperative relationships within our local area as we show the love of Christ while being culturally relevant and biblically rooted.
Acts 2:42-47; Mark 9:40; 1 Corinthians 9:22-23; Acts 17:16-34.
6.) PRAYER – We value prayer as the means by which God invites us into his presence and into the stream of his activity in the world. We value such conversational prayer with God for the purposes of worship, thanksgiving, confession, interceding for the needs of others, as well as the presenting of personal needs to God by way of petition.
Romans 12:12, Colossians 4:2, & James 5:16.
Children
Each child is a precious gift from God. We meet each Sunday and Wednesday to teach the Word of God through play and meaningful worship.
Youth
Our middle and high school students meet in the Youth Room at 9:15 am for Connection Group and then move to the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. for our Worship Service.
Events
We always have events to help you get plugged in. We cannot wait to see you at one of our many events at FBCLW.
