Who are we at First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, Georgia?Our vision statement says: First Baptist Church is a loving and caring Christian community seeking to extend the open hand of God’s grace to meet physical and spiritual needs through worship, education, ministry, fellowship, and spiritual nurturing.
We are a Baptist Christian Church.
We seek to be Baptist in the historic sense of the name, embracing our freedom in Christ, believing that religion and religious practice must never be coerced. “For freedom,” Paul told the Galatians, “Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5.1)
The freedom of the individual conscience before God
The freedom of biblical interpretation as led by God’s Spirit and not determined by a creed or a pastor
The freedom of the local church to govern themselves as they feel led
The defending of religious freedom for all people
Within the Baptist tradition, we seek more importantly to be Christian, professing Jesus as Lord in word and deed, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus, walking in the way of Jesus, and vowing our allegiance to the kingdom of God above all else, “doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God” (Micah 6.8).
We are a local Church in the one worldwide body of Christ. Paul told the Ephesians: "There is one body of Christ and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all who is above all and in all and through all.” (Ephesians 4.5-6) Though churches may understand and express the Christian faith in different ways, we seek to build bridges instead of walls with other Christians.
We are a Baptist Christian Church.
Our Staff
Carly Harper Director of Children's Activities
Carly Smith Harper is the director of Children’s Activities at FBC. She was born and raised in Fitzgerald, Ga and now resides in Irwin County. She attended ABAC where she received a Bachelors in Biology and now works as an inspector with the state. She has been married to TJ Harper for 7 years and they have two children. Grayson is 5 and Gibson is 2. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and going to the beach.
Blane Jacobs Minister of Music & Youth
Blane Jacobs is originally from Fitzgerald Ga. so coming to First Baptist Church nearly 30 years ago was like coming home. He has been a full-time Minister of Music and Youth for 39 years. Blane is married to Barbara (Tucker) who has served alongside him in both Music and Youth Ministries. She is also the church organist and serves as the Music and Youth assistant. Blane has two children, Ben (wife Christy and children Callie and Crosby) and Bailey (husband Chris and children Charley and Cydney) Blane enjoys spending time with his family and working at FHSCCA as Director of Theatre.
Education
Associate of Arts in Music – Abraham Baldwin College
Bachelor of Arts (Vocal performance and conducting) – Judson College
Dana Luckie Administrative Assistant
Dana Luckie is the Administrative Assistant, where she maintains the front office with various daily tasks that are essential to the life of our church. She lives here in Fitzgerald, Georgia with her wonderful husband, two loving children, and a beautiful Boykin Spaniel dog. She has been a member of the First Baptist Church since 2004 and is a member of the Bridge Sunday School Class. You will also find Dana working in the Nursery Ministry on Wednesdays and some Sundays. On her days off, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and riding the golf cart. Dana does a great job as our Administrative Assistant.
Rev. Greg Pope Pastor
Greg Pope has been serving as Pastor of First Baptist Fitzgerald since June 2021. He is originally from Douglasville, Georgia, and has served churches in Florida, Kentucky, and Georgia for over 30 years. He was educated at Shorter College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is presently working to complete a Doctorate in Worship Studies at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. He is married and has two daughters, one an ordained minister and the other an elementary school teacher, as well as one son in high school. His great passion is shaping meaningful services of congregational worship. He enjoys reading and golfing and all things related to the best television show ever produced, The Office.
