First Baptist Church Woodbridge

/Home/Society and Culture - Woodbridge, VA

Introduction
The First Baptist Church of Woodbridge, Virginia is located in Prince William County about 25 miles south of Washington, D.C. The church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and the NorthStar Network (local Baptist Association).

Individuals from various economic and social levels constitute the resident membership of about 1300. Although the membership is somewhat transient, FBC has a solid base of long-time members, many who are retired federal government or military workers. The federal government, the military, government contractors, and other private industry companies employ members. FBC members travel world-wide in their employment, allowing FBC to minister throughout the world.

As the Lord moves transient members to other places of work and service, He provides replacements and growth through people moving to Woodbridge for a few years, or those moving to make Woodbridge their home. This membership flow gives the church a continuous capacity for fresh ideas, skills, and spiritual gifts for new and exciting work.

The following information provides a picture of First Baptist Church of Woodbridge by viewing its history, current ministries, and some statistical data.

Church History
The First Baptist Church of Woodbridge began as the Occoquan Baptist Church in May 1876. In August 1880, the Potomac Association extended the "hand of fellowship" to the church. The Potomac Association was a corresponding member of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Therefore, by joining the Potomac Association, the Occoquan Church established a continuing relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention. (FBC transferred to Mount Vernon Association in 1954).

After several years of meeting in members' homes, and in the school and wanting space for a Sunday School, the church voted in 1888 to build in Woodbridge. The name of the church was changed to Woodbridge Baptist Church.

The church continued to grow and added classrooms in 1925. In 1954, the church entered a new building at the corner of Route 123 and Horner Road.

The late 1950's and early 1960's saw a period of rapid change and growth. With the building of housing developments and the population explosion, Woodbridge was fast becoming a "bedroom" community of Washington, D.C. Interstate 95 was extended from Washington to Richmond, passing just west of Woodbridge, cutting travel time between Woodbridge and the District of Columbia.

With new, affordable housing and better transportation, more and more people were moving into the area. Prince William County has more than doubled its population during the 1950's and 1960's. The entire area underwent a fast change from rural area to suburban area, serving Quantico Marine Corps Base, Fort Belvoir, Andrews Air Force Base, the Pentagon, and other facilities in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The rapid growth in Eastern Prince William County continued through the 1960's to the mid-1970's at which time it began to stabilize. FBC felt led of God to sponsor a mission church in the Marumsco Woods area of Woodbridge. The mission was started in 1962, and Riverview Baptist Church was constituted in 1963.

By 1972 the need for expansion was again very evident. The Lake Ridge Mission was started in September 1972 and constituted as Lake Ridge Baptist Church in July 1974.
The support of missions in our community is evidenced through establishment of a Hispanic mission in 1989 which still continues to use our facility and which the church supports financially, logistically, and administratively.

The arrival of the new millennium ushered in an exciting new phase for First Baptist Church as it became evident that our existing facility at Millwood Drive could no longer accommodate our growing congregation and ministries. Decisions were made that resulted in the church body vacating the old facility and placing the property up for sale in January 2003. At the time, little did we know that it would take three long years before we could first sell our property, and begin the construction for our new home. In the meantime we found a temporary home at a local high school and proceeded to transform an aged, dilapidated school into a place of worship, study, and fellowship each Sunday. Finally our new home was ready and a new chapter for FBC began with the first service on January 29, 2006.

Our beautiful facility of over 65,000 square feet sits on 20 acres of property and is situated in the heart of Eastern Prince William County on a major county highway. The sanctuary seats over 1000 and there are educational facilities to accommodate hundreds of children and students.

Current Ministries
Worship. We currently present two Worship Services on Sunday morning, a “blended-traditional” service at 9:30 AM, and a “Contemporary” Service at 11:00 AM. Sharing our facilities for Worship is the Hispanic Congregation which meets Sunday afternoons. Current attendance at the 9:30 AM service is approximately 350, with approximately 550-600 at the 11:00 AM service. Since 1994, we have had approximately 800 new members with about 400 of those coming by baptism.


Sunday School. First Baptist Church operates with the understanding that we bring folks into the Kingdom and the 1st Family through Worship, but we build them into disciples through Sunday School. Since 1994, the Sunday School has under-gone a major transition with explosive growth in young and median-age adults, and families (including many children and youth).



Music Program. The First Baptist Church has many creative and talented musicians utilizing their talents in a variety of ways. Our Sanctuary Choir has performed several musical productions. We have 4 adult ensembles, a dynamic youth choir (of approximately 40 young people), a youth ensemble, graded children’s choirs, and talented instrumentalists and vocalists. The musical taste of the congregation spans the spectrum of Country Gospel to Contemporary Christian music (and everything in-between). Our contemporary service is led by a worship leader and praise team.

Missions. Our church considers missions to be something we support financially and participate with our time and talents. Consequently we support mission ventures locally, within North America, and globally. We have ongoing partnerships with a church in Moscow, Russia, and Rome, Italy. We also support ministries in South Africa and Paris, France. We have a dynamic men’s ministry, a large and superb women’s ministry. Our Youth have participated in yearly mission trips through the SBC program “World Changers”. We are active members of the NorthStar Association, the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

First Baptist Church of Woodbridge
13600 Minnieville Rd
Woodbridge VA 22193

Phone: 703-730-9009
Fax: 703-730-9779