About us
Our Mission
Mission Statement: To advance the kingdom of God through worship, preaching, Christian Education, evangelizing, and to encourage members to serve as Christian Missionaries.
Tagline of FEMBC: “Where we enter to worship and depart to serve”.
The Good Word says to “seek first the kingdom of God and everything will be given unto you” (Matthew 6:33 NIV). "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33 KJV). Therefore, FEMBC looks to God who is the creator and head of life to establish a plan that would benefit FEMBC to spread the word of God. First a prayer, second a plan, and lastly implementation. A plan without God is mediocre but the plans He has for FEMBC are prosperity, give hope, and a future (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).
History
First Emmanuel started in the early 1900s under the name St. Paul Missionary Church (SPMC). The church was located on Highland Road, in Baton Rouge, LA. Pastor W. L. Scott led the church until his death in 1929. In 1931, Pastor Adam H. Landry became the leader of SPMC and relocated to Education Street, in Baton Rouge, LA. A church member by the name Sister Ida Landry renamed the church to what is now known as First Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church.
Construction of the church building began in 1934. FEMBC did not need outside contractors since many of the church members were carpenters, bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, and cement finishers. Sand for the building of the church was donated. Men worked while women cooked and prepared food for their hard labor while the children learned and played. In the meantime, neighboring pastors and the community gave FEMBC a place to worship.
In 1937, the workers finished building the church and the congregation grew. In 1957, Pastor Landry and his family moved to California and Pastor Thomas McCastle served as pastor for one year. Shortly thereafter, in 1958, Pastor George Rogers Clark became the church leader. The church went through renovations with the aid of an architect from Hunt and Thurman Associates firm and a licensed and bonded contractor, Tony Jude. During this time, Tommy Green, Sr. became an assistant pastor. Under the leadership of Pastor Clark, many accomplishments were made such as the purchase of additional property to the west and south of the church building, financial stability, and burning of the mortgage in November 1969. The church was paid off and there were no outstanding debts. A savings and checking account and certificate of deposit were created. New members were baptized, transferred, and christened. Members, also, joined through matrimony.
In October 1996, Pastor Henry J. Brown became the fourth pastor to serve as the leader of FEMBC and he continues to serve till this present day of 2019. In September 2004, renovations upgraded and improved the structure of the church.
