The Ministry of Education

Simply put, the purpose of the church is twofold:  to reach the lost and to equip the saints.  The Ministry of Education at First Baptist Church focuses on both - outreach to the community and spiritual formation of the membership.  The following opportunities for education and enrichment are currently available:

Spotlight: Education

In case of inclement weather, the decision to cancel our Sunday services/activies will be announced by WMVA radio (1450 AM), and posted on two television stations: WXII 12 Winston-Salem, NC (Comcast cable 7) and WDBJ 7 Roanoke, VA (Comcast cable 6) and on the website at www.firstbaptistchurchmartinsville.org.

        We  are currently in need of a youth Sunday School teacher.  If teaching is one of your gifts, please give this serious and prayerful consideration.  Contact me or Sunday School director Richard Dorr for further information.

         The Thursday Morning Bible Study group will soon finish the Old Testament book of Esther and begin studying the book of Job.  Why not come and join us—Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

         Don’t miss the annual appearance of the Men’s Chorus...on Baptist Men’s Day, Sunday, February 26, at 11:00 a.m.  Men—this is your chance to “make a joyful noise.”  If you plan to sing, meet in the choir loft at 10:30 a.m.                          

 John Fulcher

BLAST UP DATE...as of this writing we are contacting families and determining whether or not we have enough interested children to offer BLAST this fall.  We are also in need of either an accompanist or song leader to make the program work.  If you know a child who might enjoy BLAST, please spread the word!  If you’d like to help out, call the office right away

Opportunities for Children and Youth

The Wee Ministry is a professional Daycare and Preschool providing child care for children aged six-weeks through 5 years.  In addition, after school care is offered for elementary students through grade 5.  For over forty years the Wee ministry has served families in Martinsville and Henry County.

BLAST is a weekly ministry to children, grades 1-6, and meets Tuesday afternoons during the school year from 3:00 -5:20 p.m.  Recreation, fellowship, music education, arts and crafts, and Bible study are offered.  The children sing occasionally in worship and present a musical each spring.  Mission projects are scheduled periodically, with an emphasis on ministry to residents in local nursing homes and assisted living centers.

Vacation Bible School (from one to four days) is held each summer for children aged kindergarten through grade 6.  A separate VBS is conducted for the Wee Ministry children.  Our Youth conduct a Spring Easter Egg Hunt and a Fall Festival each year for children, grades 1-6.

Youth meet on Sunday evenings for TALK-OUT - a time for Bible study, fellowship, refreshments and games.  Youth learn about missions by participating in "hands-on" projects in the community, state, and across the country.

Opportunities for Adults

Traditional Bible Study is offered each Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. throughout the year.  Classes are available for all ages from birth to senior adult - designed for men, women, singles, and couples.  First Baptist Church is a partnering church with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and youth and adult teachers use the Adult Uniform or Formations literature from Smyth & Helwys Publishing.

Wednesday nights at First Baptist (September-May) include a fellowship meal followed by traditional Prayer Meeting and Bible study, led by the Pastor.  Some studies are topical, while other may concentrate on a particular book of the Bible.  Seasonally appropriate materials are used during Advent and Lent.

Advanced Bible Study is offered to the community each Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. The scripture is studied book by book, from Gensis to Revelation, and is examined verse-by-verse, in  detail.  Additional readings from books, commentaries, professional journals and magazines supplement and stimulate the student's educational experience.  Challenging, lively discussions encourage self-examinations and facilitate spiritual growth.

Baptist Women and Baptist Men provide missions education and "hands-on" missions projects for children, youth, and adults.  Local projects are planned throughtout the year.  Speakers are scheduled periodically to coordinate with national and international missions emphases of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

"Short-term" Seminars and Bible studies are scheduled periodically throughout the year to facilitate personal growth and spiritual formation.  Recent studies include Companions in Christ and Serving from the Heart: Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts.

The Sue Martin McCable Memorial Library is a valuable educational resource for the church and the community, offering a wide variety of selections for every reader - from the casual "fiction lover" to the serious student of the Bible.  Our library contains everything from best sellers and popular magazines to "Seminary level" commentaries, dictionaries, and journals.  A separate children's library offers up-to-date selections for children of all ages and includes a comprehensive video collection.

Biographical Entry

Reverend John Fulcher is a native of Martinsville, Virginia.  A graduate of Martinsville High School, John earned his bachelor's degree in 1974 from Wake Forest University, majoring in music, with additional study at the NC School of the Arts.  In 1977 he entered full time music and youth ministry, serving in NC Baptist Churches for the next twenty years.

In 1996 John enrolled at Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC, and graduated in 2000 with a Master's of Divinity degree.  His areas of emphasis included New Testament Studies and Church History.  John joined the staff at his "home church" -- First Baptist, Martinsville -- in 2000, first serving as Minister of Education, and currently as Associate Pastor. 

John is a 2nd degree black belt.  In his spare time, he enjoys teaching the Korean Martial Art Tae Qwon Do.