First baptist church

About us

our story

A few words about us

First Baptist Church is a family and a place to call home. It’s a church with a long and rich history, yet with a relevance that speaks to today’s culture. At First Baptist, you’ll find love, hope, healing, and teaching that offers insight, instruction, and inspiration. Whatever your background or stage in life, there is a place for you at First Baptist. On behalf of Pastor and Lady Jennings and the entire First Baptist family, WELCOME to our site!

About our pastor

Pastor Marcus Jennings accepted Christ at the age of five. He is a fourth-generation preacher; licensed in November of 2001 and ordained in May of 2008. Pastor Jennings has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology from the American Baptist College (ABC) in Nashville, Tennessee and a Master of Arts in Practical Theology from the Regent University School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In the Fall of 2023, he started his journey toward his Doctor of Ministry degree at the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Pastor Jennings has extensive ministry and administrative experience serving under and having been mentored by three great men of God, his father, Bishop James Jennings, Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III, and Bishop Dwight Riddick. Respectively, he has served as Armor Bearer, Director of Marketing & Publications, Overseer of Worship, Minister of Music, Youth Pastor, Assistant Pastor, and Executive Pastor.

In April of 2019, Pastor Jennings was called to his current assignment as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Franklin, Virginia. By God’s grace and in partnership with the people, Pastor Jennings has effectively led First Baptist Church through a productive pandemic season marked by innovative ministry, outreach to the community, the completion of major updates and renovations, the elimination of the church’s mortgage, and the saving of souls all while executing in the Spirit of Excellence.

Rev. Jennings is a gifted singer, composer, and arranger as is demonstrated in his gospel music release entitled Due Season which has afforded him the opportunity to share the stage as a featured artist with gospel greats such as VaShawn Mitchell, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Kierra Sheard, and Lowell Pye. Pastor Jennings is a lover of God, a lover of people, and a lover of God’s Word. He seeks to present the Bible in a manner that is insightful, innovative, and implementable. Pastor Jennings has been married to his childhood sweetheart, the former Leona Willis, for eighteen years. To this union they have been blessed with three children: Lailah, Hailey, and Joshua.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

THE BIBLE

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.

THE CHURCH

The Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.

THE TRINITY

God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.

REPENTANCE

Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell into sin. His only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ. Repentance is a commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ. Through repentance we individually receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation.

SALVATION

Salvation is necessary because of the fallen nature of humanity. We must be saved from the domination of Sin and from spiritual separation from God. Salvation comes by confessing our belief in Jesus Christ. When we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for our sins, and was raised from the dead, we are saved. You cannot earn salvation. Salvation is a gift from God made possible through the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This gift of salvation can only be received by faith.

PRAYER

Prayer is our ability to communicate with God. Through Jesus’ salvation, we no longer need an intercessor to go between God and us; we can address Him directly. We believe that no monumental thing can be done without prayer preceding it and continuing through it.

BAPTISM

Water Baptism identifies the believer with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism is the outward and visible action that connects a person to God in a covenant relationship and God is now the head of your life. It is an outward symbol that an inner change and transformation is taking place in your life. It is an act of sincerity and purity.

COMMUNION

Communion (The Lord’s Supper) is a unique time when the elements of bread and juice express, in a spiritual way, the body and blood of Christ. Communion is taken by believers in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

ETERNITY

Man was created to exist forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.

MEET OUR STAFF

Robin A. Jones

Director of Administration

Richell Joyner

Finance Assistant

Charleen Mathews

Administrative Assistant to Pastor Jennings

Evelina Johnson

Graphic Designer