Our Motto

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~Becoming A Better Me~

“Spiritually, Mentally, Physically, Financially and Relationally.”

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” ~Matthew 6:33

Our Mission

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Our mission is to promote the worship of God by evangelizing to the lost and building up the Saints by preaching and teaching of God’s Word in the church, home, community, and abroad; and live so that others will embrace our unique relationship with God and one another.

Our Vision

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To be a dynamic spiritual force empowered by The Holy Spirit:

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THE HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH CAMPOSTELLA

First Baptist Church Campostella (FBCC) is located in the City of Norfolk, in the heart of the Campostella area, and is the only church that bears the name “Campostella”. Our church has been a beacon of light in the Campostella community for over 100 years. We are a church open to all; ministering unselfishly and offering itself as a servant of the people, by meeting the spiritual and human needs of the community.

On February 27, 1889, the deed for Ebenezer Baptist Church was acknowledged and admitted to the records. Thus, the initial step was taken in building a sanctuary that would withstand the toils of time. The first building, which had a membership of 17, was a framed structure consisting of a dozen or so benches. These benches were made of boards nailed to the leg supports of the same material. Kerosene lamps provided light during this time. The Reverend David Jennings was pastor, and at that time preached only on the fourth Sunday of each month. The church grew in grace and number. With the increase in membership, remodeling and expansion became necessary. The church was filled with exuberance of youth and new faces.

In 1948 the church burned down and along with it the records and written history, leaving it without documented facts from that period. Under the leadership of Revered James F. Rodgers, the official board of the church decided to construct a new church. Once completed, it was dedicated and renamed the “New First Baptist Church Campostella”. In 1955 the word “New” was dropped from the church and “First Baptist Church Campostella” became the official name. The church grew in number under Reverend Robert L. Harris as pastor and upon his retirement in 1964, Rev. James Wynn acted as interim pastor. On April 16, 1965, Reverend Joseph Meyers became pastor with Reverend Wynn as the Assistant Pastor. The membership grew spiritually and in number under Reverend Meyers until his passing in August, 1972. Great strides had been made under Reverend Meyers, one of which was the $100.00 Building Fund Club, which brought about the start (1975) and completion (1976) of the Meyers Fellowship Hall. The church was without a pastor after Reverend Meyers’ passing in 1972 until November 1973 when Reverend James P. Williams became pastor. Under Reverend Williams the church purchased the land adjoining the church, which is now the parking lot. The Senior Citizens Committee was also formed. Reverend Williams resigned in 1977.

In February 1978, the Lord sent us Reverend Harold Cason, Sr., when he answered his call to pastor First Baptist Church Campostella, serving faithfully and diligently for 28 years. Reverend Cason was an inspiration to the church and proved to be a man of endless vision for the growth of the church and the uplifting of the name of Jesus in First Baptist Church Campostella. Under his leadership there were many advancements in spiritual growth, membership, and the physical structure of the church. Reverend Cason was instrumental in meeting his congregational needs by implementing many ministries and programs to include: The Christian Education Board, Women’s & Men’s Ministries, Children’s Ministry, Transportation Ministry, and Community Outreach Ministry through the S.H.A.R.E. & Food Bank Programs.

He also gave official sanction to the Young Adult Ministry ( C.H.O.S.E.N. ). Reverend Cason continued to strive for spiritual growth and unity in the church. He contributed to the fulfillment of the spiritual needs of many in his licensing and ordaining of approximately 33 sons and daughters in the ministry; many of whom are serving as pastor and associate ministers & pastors.

There have been a number of deacons, missionaries and evangelists licensed under his pastorship. Reverend Cason was totally dedicated to the church until he went home to be with the Lord in March 2007. The First Baptist Church Campostella family is thankful to God for the past pastors and members who sat on the wooden benches and read their bibles by the light of the kerosene lamps. They laid the foundation for the First Baptist Church Campostella today.

On August 17, 2008, believing the Word of God, as declared in the book of Jeremiah (“For I know the plans I have for you,…plans to prosper you…plans to give you hope and a future. You will call Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”). Reverend Tyrone Jackson, Jr. answered the call to help us realize what God has for us. He officially became the eighth pastor of First Baptist Church Campostella on September 7, 2008. Through his anointing and the dynamic proclamation of the “Word”, we have seen memberships restored and an increase of new members. He has made advancements in the spiritual growth, the physical and organizational structure of the church as well as in the Ministries. In 2019, Pastor Jackson established the new position of Assistant / Executive Pastor to further the church’s mission and vision.

In 2020, the worldwide pandemic, COVID-19 evolved and progressed through the year During this unprecedented time, there were mandated closures, including all places of Worship; however, Pastor Jackson made sure that the church remained very much alive and continued its mission of ministering to our members as well as the community. He made every effort to keep the leadership and members connected through the use of social media platforms, Email, and Conference Calls. Through Pastor Jackson’s leadership, we were extremely blessed with the ability to virtually worship together through technology, and to have so many join us locally and nationally, online and conference call. With the help of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Jackson has helped the church to safely navigate our way through the year 2020.
Today, Pastor Jackson’s faithfulness and efforts helps to ensure continuity of functions that are necessary to keep the church moving forward virtually through the online platforms, as well as receiving those members with the desire to worship in person (following CDC Guidelines). In this season, we are praying and believing that our God will sustain First Baptist Church Campostella, as He has done in all previous seasons; therefore, we will remain faithful, standing together and trusting God.
Reverend Jackson is committed to the cause of Christ with a great concern for the welfare of humanity. His philosophy embraces the church’s mission “to promote the worship of God by evangelizing the lost and building up the saints to reach their God-given potential, equipping them to spread the gospel through all nations”. Reverend Jackson is excited and faithfully seeking God to lead us into the future, declaring that we are “Doing It God’s Way” and that “We are A Godly Church, A Giving Church and A Growing Church”.

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CONTACT US

We would love for you to drop by one of our worship services. Get in contact with us using the contact information below.