Firrst Baptist Church of Tempe in Tempe, AZ

What are services like?
Whether you plan your visit or just drop in on Sunday, a greeter in the atrium area will direct you, where a volunteer from our concierge staff will make sure you and your family have the information you need and get you right where you want to go. They won't just point the way; they'll go with you. So where to? Sunday School. The quality of teaching at First Baptist Church of Tempe has been renowned for decades. We have dozens of classes, for every age group from toddlers to senior adults, as well as classes on particular topics such as marriage and parenting. Sunday School is also where a lot of lasting friendships are formed and nurtured. Nursery. Parents, prepare to be delighted. Our youngest guests and members get the royal treatment from dedicated, certified nursery workers in a first-class facility. Worship. If you're an early bird and like traditional worship come at 8:00 AM to our Worship Center and enjoy singing powerful hymns to worship our Lord. If you enjoy band driven contemporary worship, your concierge will take you to our intimate and inspiring Intersect service in the LOFT upstairs for casual, modern worship at 9:30 AM. For the blended worship lovers at 9:30, you're just a few steps away from our beloved Worship Center with our Choir and Orchestra. Or, if you like contemporary worship try coming to our 11 AM service in the Worship Center, again led by our incredible Choir and Orchestra. In the evening we also have contemporary worship in the LOFT, and blended worship in the Worship Center, both at 6:00 PM.

What is the community like?
Coffee first? We serve a variety of fresh brew (as well as fresh rolls and bagels) in our Skylight Café, just off the atrium.

What if I'm not a Christian?
None of us were either.

Leadership

Roger Ball

Pastor of First Baptist Church of Tempe since 1985, Dr. Roger Ball preaches at most services. Dr. Ball (usually known as Roger) shares solid and often surprising principles from the scriptures. He sees the Bible not as a stern rulebook but as a practical instruction manual for living and the story of God's love for us all. Roger was born in Phoenix raised in Tucson and graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in education science and a masters in education. Next Roger earned two masters and a Doctorate from Western Theological Seminary. Don't let the string of academic degrees make you think he's an ivory-tower theologian; he's a thoroughly down-to-earth teacher. He has a keen interest in helping any willing person be all they can be in Christ. As a resident Professor his practical heart-to-heart teaching style extends to Phoenix Seminary. Many of the Phoenix Seminary students have joined a contingent of First Baptist members in the mentoring program, honing their gifts and skills to be effective and articulate leaders wherever God may call them. We roll out the red carpet to mentor anyone to become more like Jesus. Roger and his wife, Dianne, have two adult daughters.