We welcome you to First Baptist Lafayette.  To make your first time with us more enjoyable, we have prepared this list of frequently asked question to help you know what to expect.

What are service times?
How do I get to First Baptist Lafayette?
Where do I park?
Is there handicap access?
What happens when I get there?
Is there childcare available?
What happens before the service starts?
What happens if I arrive late?
What is the worship service like?
How are guests greeted?
How will I know when to stand?
Am I expected to give for the offering?
What is the message like?
What is the "invitation" time?
What happens after the service?
What if I have other questions?

What are service times?

Our worship services are at 9:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.  Bible study for all ages is offered at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Beginning August 10th, we will also have a contemporary worship service beginning at 11:11 a.m. and a Bible study at 9:45 a.m.

How do I get to First Baptist Lafayette?

We're located in downtown Lafayette at 1100 Lee Avenie, just one block off of University Avenue.  Below are driving directions from three well known points:

From I-10 take exit 101 and go south about 2.6 miles to Lee Avenue (the eighth traffic light.) Turn left - parking is in the third block on the left.

From Acadiana Mall take Johnston ST. to University Avenue. Turn left and then turn right onto Lee Avenue. Parking is in the third block on the left.

From Evangeline Throughway South take University Avenue (near the airport) and come north to Lee AVenue. Parking is in the third block on the left.

Where do I park?

Our guest parking is directly across Barry Street from the main entrance on Lee Avenue.  A covered drive through is available in the parking lot on Avenue B (the side closest to University Avenue) for those who need to drop off passengers.  This entrance is close to our preschool area, and is also suitable for disabled persons. 

We also have parking lots on both sides of Lafayette Street and on-street parking is available (but please observe no parking signs near our neighbors driveways, etc.)

Is there handicap access?

There are handicap parking spaces and ramped access in the parking lot on Avenue B, and there is street level access to the sanctuary building on Barry Street near the intersection of Buchanan Street. Our greeters will help you into the building, and once inside, our ushers will help you to a seat.  The sanctuary has accomodations for wheelchairs spread throughout the main floor seating area.

What happens when I get there?

Our greeters will meet you and assist you with any questions you may have.  An information center is available on both sides of the sanctuary.  Our information center attendants can direct you to a Bible study class and other areas of our buildings.  Our ushers will help you get seated for the worship service.

Is there childcare available?

While you are in a Bible study class your child will also be in an age graded class with caring teachers who will help your child learn about God.  During worship we offer Extended Session for those birth through age four. As the name implies, this time "extends" the learning that your child experiences in Bible study.  For Kindergarten through Grade 2 we offer a Children's Worship, but your child may join you in the Sanctuary for worship if you prefer.

What happens before the service starts?

If you arrive early, you will find that others have come early.  Many people enjoy the time of fellowship and getting acquainted.  You can linger in the commons area and meet friends, or you can move on into the sanctuary and find a seat.  The only "reserved" seats are the front row where our deacons sit (and you didn't want to sit on the front row anyway.)  While not reserved, often your middle and high school students gather near the front on one side, so if you have a teenager they may want to join that group.  

As you enter the sanctuary you will receive a bulletin which gives you information about the service as well as other ministries and activities during coming weeks.  There is a perforated information card on the bulletin where you can request specific information about our church, request prayer, or other things.  You can fill that out and either drop it in the offering plate during the service or turn it in at the Information Center.

What happens if I arrive late?

Don't worry.  Our ushers will help you find a seat as quickly and discreetly as possible. 

What is the worship service like?

Services generally last about one hour. Our 9:45 a.m. worship service features choir and orchestra and traditional hymns and familiar worship choruses.  Our 11:11 a.m. service (beginning August 10th) is led by a vocal team and praise band, and has a number of contemporary features. Pastor Steve Horn brings the same Bible based sermon at both morning worship services.

How are guests greeted?

Before worship our greeters and ushers will warmly welcome you to our church.  During worship our pastor will ask everyone to stand and greet those around them.  Guests are NOTasked to stand and be recognized. However, we are interested in knowing more about you.  Therefore, our bulletin has a detachable section that you can fill out to request more information about our church, or just to indicate you were with us for the service.  You can drop that form in the offering plate or turn it in at the information center.

How will I know when to stand?

Our Music Minister will often ask the congregation to stand or sit.  We generally stand for the singing of congregational songs.

Am I expected to give for the offering?

While we encourage the practice of tithing among our members, our guests are not expected to give anything.  During the offering, if you have filled out the guest portion of the bulletin, you can drop it in the offering plate.

What is the message like?

Pastor Steve Horn's messages last about 30 minutes and are based on the Bible.  He will read scripture, make several points of application to our lives, and often include a humorous or motivational story.  If you would like to hear one of his messages online you can visit our sermon archive. 

What is the "invitation" time?

At the end of the pastor's message he will give an invitation to anyone who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to accept Jesus.  He will also ask those who would like to become part of our church family to come forward.  We sing a song during this time so that people can come to the front and talk to our pastor or one of our other ministers about their needs.

If you would like to become a part of First Baptist Church you can:

By profession of faith - if you are not yet a Christian but would like to be, or if you are a Christian and have never been baptized by immersion as a believe, the pastor will pray with you and guide you in this decision.

By transfer of letter - If you are a Christian and a member of another church we will write to that church and request that a letter of transfer be sent.

By statement - If you are a Christian and have been baptized as a believer, but do not have a current membership in another church, we can recieve your membership on affirmation of the above.

What happens after the service?

Our pastor generally greets people after the service in the commons area just to the side of the sanctuary (near the preschool check-in desk.)  He would love to have an opportunity to visit with you following the service.

What if I have other questions?

Please call us and we will gladly answer your questions.  Any of our staff would be happy to talk to you, but if you don't know who to ask for, then Minister of Education Gary Ruffin is probably your best choice.  Call him at 337-593-3659 or email gary.ruffin@fbclaf.org.  

We look forward to seeing you at First Baptist Lafayette.