True Worship Retreat 2010
Click here for flyer: True Worship Retreat 2010
Special Tribute Honoring: Pastor Soaries on Friday, September 10, 2010.
Back to School Supply Drive
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010“It Takes A Village To Raise A Child”
We Need Your Help In Gathering Essential School Supplies.
Click on the following link for the list of school supplies needed: Get Your School On.
UPDATE – CeCe Winans to now perform at two services Sunday
Thursday, August 12th, 2010
Her song will be featured in CNN documentary
(SOMERSET, NJ) – Grammy-award winning gospel artist CeCe Winans will now perform at the 9 and 11 a.m. service Sunday at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens.
The performance will be featured in the Oct. 14 CNN documentary “Churched,” that will highlight three stories of faith at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens. Winans’ performance is free and open to the public.
“Pastor (DeForest) Soaries has been a dear friend to me and my family for many years and I am both honored and humbled that he would ask me to participate in the CNN Black In America documentary focusing on FBCLG. I am sure it will be a tremendous blessing to all who see it,” Winans said.
Senior Pastor DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. said he’s looking forward to hearing Winans perform.
“I love CeCe. I’ve been a friend and a fan of hers for years and I am grateful that she’s willing to sing at First Baptist and be a part of this documentary,” he said.
Winans, who made her mark in her brother and sister singing duo, BeBe and CeCe Winans, began her solo career with the platinum certified album “Alone in His Presence.” It was released in 1995 and earned a Grammy and two Dove awards including the female vocalist of the year, an award she earned again in 1997.
Winans’ next release, the gold-certified “Everlasting Love” was released in 1998 and featured Winans’ biggest Billboard charting singles to date “Well Alright” and “Slippin.” Later that year, Winans released “His Gift,” a holiday album.
In 1999, Winans started her own recording company PureSprings Gospel. Her first album on the label was “Alabaster Box,” which was released that same year. In 2000, Winans released a concert VHS titled “Live At the Lambs Theater in New York.” Winans released her next album, the self titled “CeCe Winans,” in 2001.
She took a two-year break from releasing albums and returned in 2003 with “Throne Room.” Winans’ seventh album “Purified” was released in 2005 and her eighth album, “Thy Kingdom Come,” was released in 2008. And latest album, “Songs of Emotional Healing,” was released in May.
CeCe’s collection of top 10 rhythm and blues radio hits include “Count on Me,” her duet with Whitney Houston, from the “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack. The single was certified gold in the United States and reached no. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, no. 4 on the Adult Contemporary Chart and no. 8 on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues Singles charts.
First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens (FBCLG) was founded in 1937 by a congregation that embraced the black church tradition and doctrinal style, but today is best understood as a multi-cultural church. Over the years, FBCLG has grown from a handful of members to 7,000. Inspired by its senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., who has a history of community activism, FBCLG has become a church without walls by reaching out and impacting the community in areas of housing, employment, health care and youth and economic development. The focus of FBCLG is to provide a three-dimensional ministry that nurtures spiritual growth, supports academic excellence and promotes economic empowerment.
August 2010 Calendar
Monday, August 2nd, 2010Click Calendar to view events for August 2010.
August 2010 Calendar
Sunrise Sisters-Standing in the Gap on Saturday
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010(SOMERSET, NJ) – The women of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens and the community will gather at 5 a.m., Saturday in Colonial Park for a Sunrise-Sisters Standing in the Gap. The prayer event is part of a month-long of activities for Women’s Month, which has celebrated the theme “Sisters Breaking Down the Walls.”
“At previous Sisters-Standing in the Gap prayers, women talked about how they love the sunrise, and I do too, so we’ve planned a sunrise event,” said Executive Pastor Alyson Browne Johnson.
Women are asked to meet in Parking Lot C of the park. Directions: Follow Hamilton Street to the end. Make left onto Amwell Road. Follow Amwell Road to the 2nd light and make right onto Elizabeth Avenue. Follow Elizabeth Avenue and make a left at the Colonial Park entrance sign on left. Follow that road to “Parking Lot C” on right after playground.
Women’s Month will conclude Sunday with Women’s Day when Rev. Millicent Allen Wess will preach at the 9 and 11 a.m. services. Women are asked to wear red and/or white.
To register for Women’s Month activities, please visit http://womenmonth.eventbrite.com/.
First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens (FBCLG)was founded in 1937 by a congregation that embraced the black church tradition and doctrinal style, but today is best understood as a multi-cultural church. Over the years, FBCLG has grown from a handful of members to 7,000. Inspired by its senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., who has a history of community activism, FBCLG has become a church without walls by reaching out and impacting the community in areas of housing, employment, health care and youth and economic development. The focus of FBCLG is to provide a three-dimensional ministry that nurtures spiritual growth, supports academic excellence and promotes economic empowerment.
First Baptist celebrates the 5th Anniversary of dfree
Monday, July 12th, 2010July 12, 2010 – Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, the dfree Ministry and members and friends celebrated the 5th Anniversary of dfree yesterday. The strategy was initially created to help First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens’ members get out of debt, so they could help the church get out of debt, Soaries said.
But five years later, the mission has slightly changed.
In addition to having his members become debt free, Pastor Soaries is now focused on getting the strategy into churches across America.
“I made a promise to God that by the end of 2012, I will get 900 churches to say ‘I’m a dfree church,’” Soaries said yesterday at the dfree reception after the 11 a.m. service.
Pastor Soaries talks about the dfree strategy.
dfree, which stands for “no debt, no deficits and no delinquencies,” merchandise, such as tote bags, coffee mugs and hats, were available for free yesterday. The items will be sold in the bookstore when it opens this fall.
Soaries launched a dfree website – http://www.mydfree.org - where churches, credit unions and colleges can download the information for free. The public can also obtain his new pre-paid Visa card through the website that’s backed by Urban Trust Bank. Robert Johnson, former president of BET, owns Urban Trust Bank.
“Twenty percent of African Americans don’t have a bank card. This card will be available for people who need to function in this environment, but don’t need a (standard) credit card,” Soaries said of the card that’s $4.95 a month.
Dr. Teresa Hairston, publisher of Gospel Today magazine, was the special guest for the celebration. She announced yesterday that the next issue will feature the dfree strategy.
Dr. Teresa Hairston, publisher of Gospel Today magazine, announces the next issue will feature the dfree strategy.
While the strategy wasn’t immediately embraced by church members, First Baptist members now understand the benefits of the lifestyle.
“This is a marvelous experience having members who can see your vision,” Soaries said.
Five years ago, the church’s debt was $19 million. Today, it’s slightly less than $12 million.
“The quicker we pay down the church’s debt, the more money we will have for scholarships, ministries, Ghana and Haiti,” he said.
Other highlights from the dfree celebratory service and reception include:
Pastor Soaries recognizes the dfree Ministry leaders during the 11 a.m. service.
The Finger Singers of Faith perform during the dfree reception.
dfree Ministry Chairman Ralph Jardine welcomes members and friends to the reception.
Baraba Fuller, who helped organize the celebration, was recognized.
First Lady Donna Soaries enjoying the reception.
dfree Ministry Chairman Ralph Jardine shows off the plaques the ministry leaders received.
Photo Credit: Genevieve G. Jones
The Saturday Academy had a great start – registration is still open
Monday, July 12th, 2010The Saturday Academy, a partnership between FBC Youth and the Central Jersey Community Development Corporation, started Saturday and will run for six more weeks. It’s open to students in grades 5-9 and takes place at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens.
There is a daily Academic Hour, which will provide students with on-going education outside of the classroom. There is also an Enrichment Hour led by Stand & Deliver, a dynamic professional development training and coaching group.
The program is $5 a week per student and $99 if you register for the entire summer session. There is a special discount for students participating in their Free/Reduced Lunch Program.
Registrations are still being accepted at http://thesaturdayacademy.eventbrite.com/.
Here are a few pictures from the opening session:
FBCLG Youth Min. Khristi Adams welcomes students to The Saturday Academy.
Volunteers working at the registration table.
The Saturday Academy couldn't happen without the help of volunteers.
Ice breaker.
Students in a session.
Photo Credit: Genevieve G. Jones
Dr. Teresa Hairston pursues her purpose
Monday, July 12th, 2010As part of Women’s Month, Dr. Teresa Hairston, publisher of Gospel Today magazine and author of “How to Pursue Your Purpose,” lead a seminar Saturday morning about finding your purpose. The single mother of three shared her story of starting Gospel Today with $300 and a dream. Today, with more than 200,000 subscribers, it’s the most-widely circulated African-American gospel publication.
Here are some pictures from her event:
Dr. Teresa Hairston
Pastor Soaries opens the seminar.
Dr. Teresa Hairston shares her story.
More than 150 women attended the seminar.
First Lady Donna Soaries, who introduced Dr. Hairston, listens.
Audience member asks a question.
Photo Credit: Genevieve G. Jones
Women’s Month – Joy Night
Monday, July 12th, 2010As part of Women’s Month, the women on Friday celebrated Joy Night, which featured singing, dancing, spoken word and performing musical instruments.
Here are a few pictures from the event:
Ann Young, FBCLG Music Coordinator
Aminah Amirah Sarah L. Brister sings
Rev. Alyson Browne Johnson enjoys the night.
Spoken Word
First Lady Donna Soaries enjoying the night.
Flutist performs.
- Order My Steps Liturgical Dance Ministry
