Missions
Make Christ Known
First Baptist Church seeks to make Christ known by doing works of love in the city of Winston-Salem and beyond.
Theologian Helmut Gollwitzer once wrote that “Missions is the church in motion.” At First on Fifth, the motion of our church is directed by our Missions Committee Guidelines. These guidelines serve to give clarity to why and how our church journeys together as we love God and love our neighbor. They name Scriptural Goals to show us where to go with flexibility in how we get there. They name a funding process to ensure good wise use of the money we gather and give as a community. Ultimately the guidelines provide the church with the process and language to follow together where God calls us out into the world.



Afghan families are still in need of housing. Please contact Linda Jones lindamarie617@gmail.com if you have any leads on houses or apartments to rent.
We are ready to begin our onboarding process with World Relief. Please contact the Missions Committee at missions@firstonfifth.org if you are interested!
Scriptural Goals of Missions
As we move in the work of missions, what we do is aimed at accomplishing four Scriptural Goals.
These goals are:
- Charity – The immediate provision of life-sustaining needs particularly food, housing, and medical care to those whose income is insufficient to provide for such needs;
- Community – Rising equality through the sharing of our communal goods within our congregation, amongst other churches or our neighbors, greater participation in worship, and reconciliation marked by unity over division;
- Justice -The holistic growth of all people and the more just uses of the means necessary to sustain their flourishing;
- Transformation – Growing in commitments to discipleship, baptisms, spiritual formation, joining the life of a congregation, and acts that serve others.
Active Partnerships
First Baptist Church on Fifth is involved in the ongoing mission projects featured below.
Habitat For Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, rooted in Christian principles, brings together community partners and volunteers from all faiths to help qualified Partner Families construct and purchase well-built, affordable homes and become successful homeowners.
First Baptist is so happy to have the State Office for Habitat for Humanity located in our church.
Volunteer opportunities:
- Sponsor a house
- Labor Day Blitz
- Construction throughout the year on new houses and in remodeling.
- Volunteers needed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays every week.
- Work in the State Office
For more information please contact:
David Matthews: josdmatt@gmail.com
WSCEA
WSCEA offers rent-free operation space to qualifying nonprofit organizations. The WSCEA’s John 3:16 Building houses programs that empower disenfranchised youth, provide opportunity to women and men who want to transform their lives by increasing their knowledge, and foster the next generation of leaders in our community.
Crisis Control
First Baptist Church has been involved with this ministry since its founding. In 1973 the “Ecumenical Crisis Control Ministry” was launched by the downtown churches of Winston-Salem in the early seventies. The first location was our FBC Patterson Avenue Mission given by Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay Wall, First Baptist members. First Baptist Staff Member, Ron Rice, was the first Director and mentor to many.
Winston-Salem Street School
Members of First Baptist on Fifth are actively supporting this ministry through donations and by serving on the Street School Board as well as volunteering in several ways. The school is located directly west of the church at 630 W. 6th St. in the WSCEA Building and is easily within walking distance from the church.
For more information please visit: www.wsstreetschool.com
Samaritan Ministries
First Baptist provides volunteers for the overnight shelter the first week in January. Volunteers are welcome at other times. Samaritan Ministries is located at 1243 N. Patterson Ave., phone 748-1962.
For more information please contact:
www.samaritanforsyth.org
Serving Our Savior
Wheelchair ramps are provided for handicapped individuals anywhere in Forsyth County. All the work is performed by volunteers. Materials are paid for by the clients or their families if they are able to do so. These payments amount to approximately 25 percent of the funds needed. If the clients are unable to pay, funds are provided by the non-profit. Each year seventy to eighty ramps are constructed. During the month of January, 2013, the 700th ramp was constructed.
Volunteers are needed on Tuesday every week.
For more information please contact Serving Our Savior at (336)725-6774.
Mission Emanuel
First Baptist Church has been sending missionaries to Cielo over the past ten years and there have been amazing changes in this community. Buildings have been constructed, programs have been started, children are healthier, women are nurturing other women and plans are in progress for even greater ministries. We thank God for the money and people that First Baptist has invested in this beautiful community of Cielo.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Serve on a Mission Trip to Cielo
- Sponsor a child in school
- Send money for a water card so that a family can have pure water
For more information please contact:
Minerva Fox: minervajfox@gmail.com
Senior Services
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Meals-on-Wheels: Meals-on-Wheels provides a hot nutritious lunch each weekday for Forsyth County’s homebound elderly. First Baptist fills this need every Friday.
The Shepherd Center
This organization loves volunteers! Volunteers carry out the majority of the Shepherd’s Center programs, with support of administrative staff. The scope of their opportunities will surprise you!
For more information see:
www.shepherdscenter.org
Funding for Active Partnerships
Funding for Active Partnerships of may be applied for by members of First on Fifth or local non-profits and goes to special project funding, one-time, or semi-regular events or missions endeavors. Preference will be given to active partnerships lead by members of the church or the Missions Committee. Funding for active partnerships will be available on an on-going basis. The application for such funding can be found HERE and printed copies are available at the church office.
Funding for Active Partnerships must be submitted no later than 30 days before it is needed.
2024 Funding for Local Non-Profits and Other Ministries
One way First on Fifth supports the work of missions in our community is through year-long disbursement of church funds to area non-profits and ministries. Local organizations and ministries may apply each year for funding support from our church using the General Missions Funding Application available at First on Fifth or digitally on our website. Access the application HERE. Please fill out all applicable sections of the form.
Applications for funding for the following calendar year will be open May 15, 2023, and are due August 1, 2023. The Missions Committee will review all applications and notify applicants of their decisions in December of that year. Upon completing the form, it can be submitted by mail or email to missions@firstonfifth.org.