About us

In 1997, Dr. Jerry Peele Pastor of  Eastman First Baptist Church, approached Minister Cecil Barden. Eastman FBC Missions had been praying about starting an African American Church in Eastman and they felt God leading them to ask the young Minister Barden. At the same time, God had also been calling Minister Barden to pastor a church.

 

Faith in Action Mission Church began in January of 1998 at the home of Cecil and Joyce Barden.   The little house on Karen Drive was used for Wednesday night and Sunday morning Bible studies.  Both kids and adults attended and the numbers grew so that a move was needed. On September 29, 1998, we moved to a small building on the Dublin Highway and continued Bible Studies there.   It had formerly been a Presbyterian church in the late 1800s. This building could hold up to 50 people and had two classrooms. The first-ever worship service was held in that building on October 11, 1998. The membership grew to 40 members there.

 

The next building was at 303 3rd Avenue. The first service there was held on November 28, 2001.  This building held approximately 75 people. Several years of worship took place here. Still, as the membership grew another move was needed.  The old Chas Mar building was the next location also on 3rd Avenue. The first worship service was held there on July 30, 2006. There were 96 people in attendance that day.

 

Faith in Action Mission Church became Faith in Action Baptist Church in January 2006 when it became incorporated as a self- sustaining church and no longer a mission of Eastman First Baptist Church. Additionally, on October 25, 2007, FIA became members of the Dodge Baptist Association by unanimous vote. 

 

The fourth church facility was a former funeral home on College Street. That building served as the worship facility from the summer of 2009 until September of 2012 as the church grew to over 100 members.

 

In September of 2012, the membership moved to the present location at 1046 College St. It is the old Chevy dealership and is located on 10 acres with a 22,842 square foot building. It can seat nearly 200 people. This is our permanent worship facility. The goal and motto as the body of Christ continues to  grow is "Love God and Reach People."