Welcome to FBC

Whether you are new to Paola, or are seeking to discover spiritual truth in your life we would love to have you be our guest. You are always welcome at First Baptist Church!

When you visit our church, you will find:

  • A caring congregation that will gladly welcome you

  • Preaching/teaching that is centered on the Word of God

  • Ministries to meet the spiritual needs of every age

  • Truth-filled and moving praise and worship

You will see people in dress clothes and people in jeans. Fashion is not an issue here. We are a people seeking to become all that God has for us. It is our desire that you feel welcome, and will join us as we allow God to transform us into the people He has designed us to be.

First Baptist Church is a place to belong. We are members together of the Body of Christ. We are all about becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus as we learn, worship and serve together.

Meet Our Pastor

Pastor Joel Schroeder who often goes by Dr. J, is a titan of biblical studies and community outreach! With his Ph.D. in hand, he's on a mission to spread the love of Christ through exciting biblical teaching that unifies the body of Christ. From being a chaplain to a city council member, and even a youth pastor, he's got more experience than you can shake a Bible at.

But don't let all that seriousness fool you- Dr. J knows how to have fun! He's always cracking jokes and making people laugh, even while sharing profound spiritual insights. And when it comes to transitions, he's got your back. Whether you're going through a life change or just feeling lost, he's here to help guide you through the twists and turns of life.

Our Values

We are a family of believers who prioritize the teaching of the Bible to help individuals grow in their relationship with Christ.

Our goal is to empower each member to live a life that reflects Jesus and help them transition from this world to the next.

We offer various opportunities for members to engage with the Bible, including Bible studies, classes, and sermons.

Our teachings emphasize the importance of understanding scripture and scripture's relevance to daily life.

Through these teachings, we hope to deepen both our members' understanding of God's word and deepen their personal relationship with Christ.

Our Beliefs:

  • The Bible is God's inspired message to us and is the final authority for every area of our lives.

  • God has an everlasting love for all people.

  • All people are sinners and need forgiveness.

  • God's great love sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins when He died on the cross and rose again on the third day.

  • All people need to accept God's free gift of forgiveness for themselves.

  • All who accept God's gift of forgiveness, receiving Jesus as Lord, have life eternal and are members of God's Kingdom.