Glorifying God by making disciples who make disciples.
What to Expect
Are you considering a visit to First Baptist Church? Great! We would love to see you here. We are located in New Castle, PA, with a tremendous heart for our community. People often wonder what to expect when walking in for the first time… What to wear… How to act… Do I need to give money… Checkout the FAQs for answers to these common questions. You can read our Constitution and Bylaws here.
Statement of Faith
The Word of God
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
The Trinity
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption. Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17
God the Father
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of each person, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:48; Revelation 4:8; Psalm 90:2; Romans 3:20-21
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. John 3:16; Matthew 1:18, 22; Hebrews 4:15; John 20:21; 1 John 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6;Romans 8:34; Revelation 22:7
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. John 16:7,8,13; John 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Cor 12:7
Regeneration
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Mark 1:14-15; John 3:16-17; John 3:3
The Church
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. Romans 12:4-5; Eph 5:23; Matt 28:19
Christian Conduct
We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God and the well-being of others; that their conduct should be blameless before the world; that they should be faithful stewards of their possessions; and that they should seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Christ. 1 Cor 10:31; Matt 22:37-40; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:11-12; 1 Peter 2:1-3Humanity
We believe humanity is created in the image of God and is the crowning work of His creation. Therefore, each human life has value and dignity unique among all creation. Accordingly, human life is to be protected from conception until death. We believe God created humanity as male and female. Therefore, gender uniqueness is part of the plan and goodness of God’s creation. Accordingly, God designed the institution of marriage to be between one genetic man and one genetic woman and has ordained the gift of sexual relations only within the confines of said marriage. Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13; Romans 1:26-27
The Ordinances
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for Commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should continue until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matt 28:19; 1 Cor 11:23-26
Religious Liberty
We Believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions; each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other. Rom 14:12; Acts 20:28
The Last Things
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His Kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. Matt 24:30-31; Acts 1:10-11; Matt 25:46; Rev 20:12-13
FAQS
Our Pastor
Mike Willmer
Mike came to FBC in November of 2017 after serving for nine years at Parkside Church in Cleveland, OH. As lead pastor, his key responsibilities are preaching, shepherding, and vision. He earned his undergraduate degree at The Moody Bible Institute, as well as an MDiv at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He married up to Kelly and together they have a son named Henry. He spends much of his free time attempting to run and playing games with his son. No matter how much you make fun of him, his favorite football team will always be the Cleveland Browns.
Staff
Scott has been at FBC since March of 1995. As both the Executive and Worship Pastor, Scott’s job is two-fold. He leads the worship ministry at FBC throughout the week and on Sunday mornings. On the executive side, Scott is responsible for managing ministry operations, staff, as well as assisting the Lead Pastor. As the Worship Pastor, Scott’s responsibilities are to develop a worship service that helps people to focus in on the exegetical study of the Bible. Scott has a B.A. from The Moody Bible Institute and an M.E. from Westminster College. Scott is married to Becky and has two children, Lauren and Maxwell. Scott enjoys reading when he can in his spare time. He also enjoys escaping to his workshop where he restores furniture. Scott’s favorite author is C.H. Spurgeon and enjoys reading any of his works.
Jeremy joined our staff as the Outreach & Discipleship Pastor in January of 2019. As our Outreach & Discipleship Pastor, Jeremy is responsible for overseeing discipleship both locally and globally. Locally in Life Groups, one-to-one Bible reading, small group ministry, and local outreach and globally in planning missions trips and maintaining relationships with FBC missionaries. Jeremy received a B.A. from Moody Bible Institute in 2001 and an M.A. from Trinity School for Ministry in 2011. Jeremy is married to his wife Amy and has two children, Lillyan and Micah. In his spare time Jeremy is trying to become a scratch golfer (he says it’s not going well), working out, hiking, and teaching his children his favorite dance moves. And, of course, Jeremy’s favorite sports team is anything Pittsburgh related.
Trevor has been at FBC since the summer of 2021 and he joined the staff in December of 2023. He completed his undergraduate degree at Geneva College with a bachelor’s in Student Ministry and another in Communication. Trevor works alongside an excellent team of volunteers to disciple kids from 6th to 12th grade and connect them to Jesus who is the source and perfector of the faith. In his free time, you might catch Trevor cheering on his Philly sports teams or playing pickup basketball or frisbee. Trevor always enjoys a good theology podcast, and he would never turn down an opportunity to rewatch an episode of The Office.
Vicki joined our staff in September of 2011. She serves as our Women’s Ministry Director as well as leads our front of the house ministries. Vicki, alongside of our Outreach and Discipleship Pastor, oversee care ministries and Serving Deacons. Her family includes her son Will and her mother Cherie Delaney. In her spare time Vicki likes to read, spend time with her family and travel.
Christy joined our staff as the Interim Children’s Ministry Director in August of 2010 and was brought on as full-time the following May. As the Children’s Ministry Director, Christy gets the amazing privilege of working with children from ages birth to 5th grade and their families. Christy and a team of faithful volunteers help connect families to Jesus as well as partner with Adult Ministries to help parents become the primary spiritual influencers of their children. Christy attended Youngstown State University where she studied Psychology and Sociology. She also has a Master of Education in Elementary and Secondary Guidance Counseling from Slippery Rock University. Christy is married to Ken and has a daughter named Olivia. In her spare time, you can find Christy spending time with her family and pets, painting, watching movies, expanding her LEGO collection, or hunting for beach glass.
Elders
