First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church

Houlton, Maine

American Baptist Information

The Origins and Development of Baptist Thought and Practice

American Baptists, Southern Baptists and all of the scores of other Baptist

bodies in the U.S. and around the world grew out of a common tradition begun in

the early 17th century. That tradition has emphasized the Lordship and atoning

sacrifice of Jesus Christ, believers' baptism, the competency of all believers to be

in direct relationship with God and to interpret Scripture, the influence of the Holy

Spirit on individual lives and ministries, and the need for autonomous congregations

free from government interference or hierarchical polity.

Growing out of the first Baptist association founded in 1707 American Baptist

Churches USA now is comprised of 34 regions. They range in size from the

individual urban centers of Cleveland, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh,

Indianapolis and Los Angeles to the 13-state American Baptist Churches of the South,

from the 34 congregations of the ABC of Rochester / Genesee to the nearly 500

churches of the West Virginia Baptist Convention.

The American Baptist Churches Mission Center in Valley Forge, PA., has served

since 1962 as a major site for the ongoing planning of domestic and overseas

mission work, and for the production of various resources designed to help local

churches and their leaders in their ministries.

Today hundreds of American Baptist home and overseas missionaries serve in

partnership with others in a variety of ministries designed to strengthen spiritual,

physical and social conditions in the U.S. and in more than 20 other countries.

(excerpted from American Baptist)