Fellowship Baptist Church, Kenosha WI

Church Profile

Mission Statement

The mission of Fellowship Baptist Church is to be a church of disciples who make disciples who know Jesus, serve Jesus, and share Jesus.

What we believe

Salvation is a free gift of God to man.  We are saved by Faith Alone.  We are judged righteous in the sight of God purely on the basis of Christ’s saving work by his death and resurrection.  Scripture is God’s inspired Word, it is the only inerrant, sufficient and final authority for the church.    Grace Alone (Solo Gratia), Faith Alone (Solo Fide), Christ Alone (Solo Christus), and Scripture Alone (Solo Scriptura), and Glory to God Alone (soli Deo Gloria)

All members are responsible for living in accordance with our faith.  We are committed to regularly attend services, give financially to support the church, pray to support the leadership and the laity, and grow in our own personal walk with Jesus.  We believe it is everyone’s responsibility to witness to the lost, evangelize in our community and give to the poor.  We should be a spiritual light in our community and to those whom we encounter within our daily lives.

Leadership & Governance

Fellowship Baptist Church (FBC) is an autonomous church within the Southern Baptist Convention.  We are members of Lakeland Baptist Association (our regional association of churches) and the Minnesota Wisconsin Baptist Convention (our two state SB Convention).  Further, we are Congregational governed church, where all church business is voted and approved by the membership.   Primary leadership is vested in the pastor, deacons, and leadership which work together to grow our church and advance our mission in our community.

History

Fellowship Baptist Church was organized as a mission church in 1969.   Church meetings were held in a member’s home until 1971, when the first constitution was drafted, and the church officially organized in the State of Wisconsin on 3/20/71.   The church met next in a small store front facility while the construction of the first church building was completed.  The building was completed in 1973 and the first pastor was called serve.   The church building and property are currently paid for in full, with the last major addition and remodel completed in 2001.  Non-structural improvements have been made since the major reconstruction project, including new flooring, and new sanctuary seating.

From 1973 until 2023 the church has been privileged to employ 10 different full-time pastors.  On average, the length of service for each pastor was 5 years.  Two of those pastors were intentionally short term, 3 years or less, due to their own educational pursuits. Our last pastor was with us for 9 years.

Membership Demographics

The Church has had high and low membership years ranging from 70 members initially up to over 250 at one given point in time.  Currently we have approximately 80 registered members, and 20 non- member, regular attenders.

Our current membership is largely an older population of 50 years and older.  Many of the members have been longtime members over 20 years.   We have a smaller group of members ranging in age from 19-49. The church does continue to maintain a children’s church and Sunday school for children, the numbers are small, but we are committed to growth in this vital area.

Community Demographics

29% 50 years and older

71% Less than 50 years old.

            The largest of this group between the ages of 25-40 yrs. old

            The next largest of this group is 24 yrs. old and younger.