First Baptist Church is Leading People to Know Christ and Make Him K. N. O. W. N.
K = Knowing
We see a church that desires for its members to be intimate with Christ and to grow to be more like Him. We understand that people can only make known what we know for ourselves. We see a church where members know Christ and grow spiritually by the practice of spiritual disciplines. Where individuals and families study the scriptures and pray. We see a church made of families and individuals digging deep in the scriptures for truth and sound doctrine. We see a church that provides training and resources to encourage individuals and families to spend quality time with Christ and in the Word of God. We see a church that fosters spiritual maturity by providing relevant biblical teaching alongside creative and engaging worship. We see a church filled with families and individuals who enjoy Christ and treasure His Glory above all. (Philippians 3:1-11)
N = Nurturing
We see a church that is built on authentic community where relationships are strong, genuine, and sincere. Because knowing Christ and making Him known takes the entire body, we need to be united in our love, care and nurture for everyone. We see a church where people can come and share their burdens and hurts openly: where members sincerely intercede on their behalf. We see a church made of families and individuals that have honest and vulnerable relationships: where people can be who they really are. We see a church that offers help and hope for struggling marriages, families and individuals. We see a church that creates small group environments for authentic community to take place. We see a church where we all "spur one another on to good works." (Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24)
O = Outfitting
We see a church where families and individuals are equipped to do the ministry of the Gospel and Discipleship. Because the home is the doorway to the community (workplace, school, marketplace, neighborhood, and places of recreation), families and individuals must be equipped, resourced and outfitted to do the work of the ministry in the community. Making Christ known will not be primarily done from the church building, but from the people of God (the church) in the community. We see a church where families are trained and resourced to disciple their children. We see a church where families are trained and resourced to share their faith. We see a church where families and individuals are trained and resourced to be salt and light in their schools, workplace, marketplace, neighborhoods, and places of recreation. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
W = Winning
We see a church with a heart and passion ready to win people to the saving message of Jesus Christ: in other words, to make Christ known. Because training and resources will not do the job for us, our sponges must be squeezed dry of the training and resources by putting them to work. We see a church with a goal and target for winning lost people to Christ. We see a church that has defined its Jerusalem of Acts 1:8 as Scurry County and is ready to saturate it with the Gospel. We see the people of First Baptist Church Snyder, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every man, woman and child in Scurry county. We see the people of First Baptist Church Snyder striving and laboring to reach 5,000 individuals with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We see a church reaching the Hispanic community of Scurry County with specific and relevant ministries. We see a church that understands and takes seriously the great commission of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20)
N = Needs
We see a church that has an influence in the community. We see First Baptist Church Snyder as a church that if it were to disappear from Scurry County, it would be missed. We see a church that is seeking to meet the physical needs and the spiritual needs. Because making Christ Known spiritually most times takes Christ being known physically through love and meeting of needs, we need to be a church that focuses on how to provide water to the thirsty, food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless and visits to those who are in prison. (Matthew 25:35-36)
