What to Expect
Top 10 Visitor Hotspots
Welcome to Salem First Baptist Church – a warm and welcoming community of faith. You will find us in the heart of Salem with a heart for God and you.
Feel at ease. You’ll walk through the doors and into a swirl of friendly people. You can slip in and slip out again if that’s your style. But if you’re ready to get to know Salem First Baptist, check out the following hot spots.
1. Welcome Center
In the lobby of the main building and the commons in the Community Life Center, you will find information centers that are your key to all things SFB. We make a point of having someone amiable and knowledgeable planted there on Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings. Go ahead—volley any question to our answer person (aka Welcome Center volunteer). “When does the next worship service start?”, “Where do I check in my son for third grade Sunday school?”, or “Is there a restroom nearby?” He or she will point you in the right direction. You’ve already got a friend.
2. Worship Services
There are three worship services to choose from. Depending on which one you choose, you will be directed to the Worship Center or the Community Life Center. Style of worship (contemporary at 10:30 a.m. or traditional at 9:00 a.m., and an evening service that is for everyone at 6:00 p.m.) is up to you—but come as you are. Some people like to dress up for services, but casual and jeans are also appropriate. We’re a relaxed community. It’s about God not clothes!
Contemporary worship may feature electric guitar, brass, piano, synthesizer, and drums. Traditional worship services use the organ, piano and sometimes even an orchestra.
3. Offices
Monday through Friday our offices are open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. We are located in the Community Life Center. Feel free to drop by and our office staff will be glad to help you. If you need to see a Pastor they will help you make an appointment or, in case of an emergency, they can arrange for a pastor to meet with you as soon as possible. On Sunday our offices are closed. If you need information or help, you can approach someone at the Welcome Center or an usher and they will be glad to get you the information you need.
4. Big Groups
Each Sunday morning, communities of people gather in rooms throughout the building to study the Bible, know God more intimately, discuss ideas and build relationships. These groups are listed on the Website and in our bulletin and are organized around common interests or stages of life. Big groups are just one more way to make friends and meet new people with little difficulty and great success.
5. Children’s Ministry
We have you covered from infancy to fifth grade. With a focus on creating a loving and fun environment, our trained teachers engage their classes in discovering God’s instruction for every child. If you need to know where your kids go, just ask someone at the information center.
6. Fusion & Thrive
Prepare for excitement and get ready to grow in your relationship with God. Our middle school (Fusion) and high school (Thrive) meet Sundays and during the week for learning designed just for them. They meet in the Community Life Center at 9:00 a.m.
7. Higher Grounds
Before or after the service, make your way to Higher Grounds in the Community Life Center. You’ll find your favorite hot drink. Higher Grounds is our ministry to all who come to SFB to worship, volunteer and visit with friends.
8. Prayer Point
Many people facing life crises appreciate the comfort and power of prayer. Come to the front of the sanctuary after worship services for personal prayer time with one of the pastors.
You can send a prayer request to the staff on our website during the week.
9. Library
If you like to read, then we can help you. Come check out our library before and after our services. They have books that can help you learn more about the Bible, how to study the Bible or about life issues and needs.
10. Get Connected
Volunteering is a great way to get connected with others. At SFB, we believe in the power of volunteerism as a way to serve God and help people in need. It is also the quickest route to new friendships and fulfillment. We’ve created a whole booklet of opportunities called Get Connected which can be found in a literature rack. Our website also makes it easy to find the perfect fit for you. Search for the opening that inspires and excites you on our Serve page. You’ll be surprised how much fun you have.
That’s our top ten, do-it-yourself guide to Salem First Baptist Church. If you’d prefer a more hands-on introduction, give us a call (503-364-2285) or send an e-mail. We’ll set up a casual tour with a kind volunteer who can show you around, introduce you to some of the people who call SFB home and get you to the worship service of your choice.
We look forward to welcoming you!
