Welcome to First Baptist Church of Eatonton
Our mission as First Baptist Church is to be followers of Christ who share God’s love and grace with all in worship, love for each other, learning Christ’s teachings and serving in the world.
Followers of Christ sharing His love and grace with all.
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Our Vision
“WHY” are we FBC EATONTON: TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE
“HOW” will we fulfill this PURPOSE:
By living our faith
By giving our time, talents and resources
By serving through local and global missions
By studying God’s Word
By strengthening families
By improving leadership skills
By helping people in need
“WHAT” do we EXPECT to result:
People being led to Christ
A growing discipleship program
New members and finding their place in service
People being used by God with their talents and gifts
Involvement in local and global mission
Our Beliefs
We believe in the Living and One True God, and that there is a manifestation in the Trinity of God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and yet there are not three Gods, but one God.
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the written word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.
We believe in the fall of Adam and in the imputation of his sin to his posterity in the corruption of human nature and the impotency of man to recover himself by his own free will and ability.
We believe in the everlasting love of God to His people.
We believe mankind is justified in the sight of God only by the salvation offered through Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and arose from the grave.
We believe in the calling of everyone and the final preservation of the saints in grace, so that not one of them shall be finally lost.
We are saved by grace through faith in Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit is given to every believer in
Christ in order to complete the sanctifying process of changes in each believer’s life. He calls us to the Savior, and He effects our regeneration. At the moment of regeneration, He baptizes every believer into the body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which we serve God and others through His church.
We believe the Holy Spirit seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the promise that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and
empowers the church in worship, evangelism and service.
We believe the final destiny of every believer is a full salvation from sin and a glorified resurrection of the
body, to be present with God in the everlasting new world to come, which shall be revealed according to God’s Word of promise. “Behold I make all things new.”
We believe there will be a resurrection of the dead and a judgement and that the joyfulness of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal.
Our Team
Rev. Dr. Craig Williamson
Senior Pastor
Craig was reared in Dublin, Georgia where he was a graduate of Dublin High School. He is also a graduate of Mercer University, and remains a faithful alumni and advocate. He earned a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and further earned a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary with an emphasis in Christian Spirituality.He has served churches in Indiana and Georgia.
Having ridden bicycles since a child, Craig continues to enjoy the thrill of biking. He spent years riding the ridge road across Pine Mountain into Roosevelt Park in West Georgia. He is exploring the back roads of Putnam County and the surrounding lakes at the present time. He is a novice Beekeeper. Fiercely independent, he wonders if bees are Baptists. His honey goes primarily to his Honey and wife, Catherine. She loves to point out the three B’s of his life – Bibles, Bikes and Bees.
Craig has two adventurous children – Andilyn and John. What joy they are to him!
Rev. Dylan Bowden
Associate Pastor & Minister of Music
Dylan was raised in Gray, Georgia where he was a graduate of Jones County High School. He is a student at Truett McConnell University, where he is majoring in Christian Ministry with a focus in Theology. From 2012-2019, Dylan served as the Associate Pastor of Youth & Music at Hardwick Baptist Church in Milledgeville, Georgia where he was Ordained to the Gospel Ministry in 2014. After serving a short term in the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, Dylan came back home to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship to serve First Baptist Eatonton. Dylan says, “My passion is Music. I love singing, playing various instruments, teaching and leading different Choirs and musical groups to lead in our Worship Services.”
Dylan is an avid tennis fan, player, and coach. His other hobbies and passions include spending time with his dog, Hershey, and singing, playing piano, reading, and traveling. Dylan joined the Staff of FBC Eatonton on January 3, 2023.
Bridget Borders
Children's Minister
​Hello! My name is Bridget Borders and I am excited to introduce myself to you! I was born and raised here in Georgia. I’ve lived in various states across the Eastcoast and Midwest. After spending 7 years in Oklahoma, I relocated back to Georgia in 2021.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and have also completed many training hours and obtained certificates in Early Childhood Education. With over 10 years of experience working in a private Christian school environment, I am passionate about providing a nurturing and loving environment for children to learn and grow.
In addition to my role here at First Baptist Church, I am also a PreK teacher at Gatewood and a proud mother to twin girls who attend Gatewood with me. My mission is to guide and mentor children in developing a strong and meaningful relationship with Jesus. Through teaching them about the Bible and helping them establish a solid spiritual foundation, I hope to instill a deep love and understanding of Christ in their hearts.
Serving and sharing the love of Christ with children and families in the community has always been a calling in my life, and I am grateful to be able to do so in my roles at First Baptist Church and Gatewood. I look forward to getting to know you and your children and being a part of their spiritual journey!
Ellen
Trice
Administrative
Assistant
Hannah
Coyle
Office
Assistant
Reverend
William Kitchen
Pastor
Emeritus