Upcoming Events

Lakefront Location

Our upcoming Lakefront Location will provide a second location from where the gospel can be preached, missionaries can be sent and the lives of families and singles can be transformed. Our goal is to begin the building process as soon as the funds are received to do so. Find out more.

Venice Discipleship Network

Are you ready to enhance your walk with God. VDN is a system allowing you to study many different spiritual topics including prayer, finance, parenting, theology, relationships, book studies, and more. View the offerings for Venice Discipleship Network and take your spiritual growth to the next level? Additional classes and groups will be added soon

Visit the church office M|F 9am | 4pm to purchase your Winter Concert Patron ticket.

Kids Choir is for ages k-5 grade. Begins September 9. Register today!

Christ-centered parenting is offered during Children’s Choir on Sunday evenings in Building C-103. Find out more.

See You At The Pole is a student led prayer service. Join students all over the country to pray for friends, teachers and administrative staff. Your school is your mission field. Take this opportunity to pray.

Israel and Oberammergau July 14-25, 2020. Join with Pastor Tom and Tassie for an unforgettable trip to the Holy Land and the 2020 Oberammergau Passion Play. The Passion Play is conducted every 10 years and has been performed since 1634. Follow this link for details and to secure your place. You can also dial 941-484-8484.

We need volunteers to assist us in providing cars and treats for our Venice Community on October 31 from 5pm to 7 pm. If you can assist us please let us know by e-mailing Mrs. Heather.

Go public with your faith in Christ. The first command Jesus gives to His followers is to be baptized. Our church baptizes by immersion after a person places their faith in Christ. We would love to talk with you about this next step in your spiritual walk. Send us an e-mail to schedule an appointment with a pastor.

Welcome!

We hope you enjoy your online experience and will get a taste of our loving church community. No matter what your background may be, or what season of life you are in, you are welcome here. After browsing the site you may have further questions, we encourage you to contact us. We are here for you! We strive to reach out to an incredible community of people in Sarasota County and to touch the hearts of people everywhere.

Worship

Our church celebrates “One Worship” during the summer at 9:00am on Sundays. During the fall and spring the church offers classic worship at 9:00am and a modern worship experience at 10:30 AM. We also gather for worship at 6pm for a traditional worship experience.

Connection Groups and Venice Discipleship Network

We recognize most people find a church home in a worship service, however, we believe our Connection Groups are where you will find your church family. In times of great joy or great challenges, your Connection Group will be there for you.

Missions

Serving our community should be at the heart of every church. Our passion is to get involved in the lives of people who are far from God. First Baptist offers many opportunities for you to serve the community by serving those He loves.

“Our heart & soul is to connect people with the living and most powerful God.”

Pastor Tom became a Christian at age 9 in his home church in Gadsden, Alabama. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology at the University of West Florida only to be called by God to switch his fishing from fish to folks. It was then that he pursued and earned a Master of Theology degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Pastor Tom served as an Associate Pastor in Kenner and Lafayette, Louisiana. His first pastorate was First Southern Baptist Scottsdale, Arizona. Pastor Tom is married to his high school sweetheart, Tassie. They have been blessed with 4 sons, 3 daughters-in-love, and their newest bundles of joy, a grandson, a granddaughter. Pastor Tom enjoys studying, spending time with his family, fishing and playing golf

Senior Pastor: Pastor Tom Hodge