Choir Ministry

Our purpose is to minister to the congregation through hymns, music, and songs. Our goal is to prepare the hearts of the people for the preached word of God. Through the aid of the Holy Spirit we usher in an atmosphere of worship, praise, thanksgiving, gladness, encouragement, and comfort. The ministry's focus is using your voice to glorify the LORD and uplift the name of JESUS. There is an evangelistic message from the Lord in the hymns that are sung. We invite church members to share their gift of music and be an integral part of our worship service. Requirements for the ministry are dedication with commitment and a willingless to be used by God.

Deacon Ministry

The Deacons of First Baptist Church of Darby are some of the most upstanding, God-fearing men you’ll find. Personally selected by Pastor Merriweather, each Deacon serves the church and its members and performs a variety of duties – both spiritual and practical – in support of the Pastor and the church’s mission. We assist by caring for the poor, the sick, the preparation and administration of ordinances, service of Communion and Baptism, and in ministering to the spiritual interest in the Church and the community. We exist to serve God and the church.

Deaconess Ministry

"Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. The aged woman likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teacher of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient" ( 1 Timothy 3:11, Titus 2:3-5 )

The Deaconess Ministry here at First Baptist is on the move. Within the church, the Deaconess participates in the preparaton of the communion services, shich includes set-up, as well as clean up. The Deaconess accompanies and sits with the new members during Communion Service while they await the Right Hand of Fellowship.

We are also in charge of the Baptismal Service. This includes preparing new candidates on Saturday mornings with baptismal attire that they will wear on Baptismal Sunday. On Baptismal Sundays, the Deaconess assists the new candidate(s) with their clothing. The Deaconess, along with the Deacons escort and sit with the new candidates before, during, and after they are to be baptized.

Outside of First Baptist, some of the Deaconesses visit the sick in nursing homes, hospitals, or individual's home. They also assist the Deacons with serving communion to the sick by either reading scripture or offering up a prayer. During deaths, the Deaconess visits the bereaved family the night before the funeral service to offer encouragement, and assist where needed. During the time of Baptism, Communion, and Funerals, the Deaconess is in her white attire.

As the present time, the Deaconess Ministry has implemented a "Mentoring" program geared towards encouraging the young ladies of First Baptist. Now, this is not to take the place of their parents, but to reinforce what the Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in a way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Evangelism Ministry

The Gospel (Good News) speaks more about Jesus as a teacher than a preacher. Teaching was the heart of Jesus' ministry. Our mission is found in the scripture, Matthew 28:19. "Go and teach all nations" Boldly sharing the good news that Jesus Christ was born, died and rose from the dead to save us from the penalty of sin. First Baptist Church of Darby held it's first evangelism class in 1995. Students learn how and why it's important to share the Gospel (Good News).

The program is open to all who have the desire to learn. To date over 63 individuals have successfully completed the two year program and graduated. Since 1997, graduates of the school of evangelism and others have shared the Gospel (Good News) and participated in many activities to improve the Darby and Yeadon communities.

Pastor, Reverend Dr. Raymond Merriweather is deeply committed to increasing the spiritual growth of the greater Darby community. He has encouraged door to door outreach, expanded our youth ministry and plans are underway to renew the prison ministry. Jesus had a passion and love for people, especially those who needed hope. As evangelism graduates we too like Jesus have a desire to show people the way to salvation and give them hope. It is our greatest desire to let folks know that believing in Jesus Christ can change lives.

We are a committed group and welcome your participation with us. New classes begin each September. You may receive further information by contacting our Church office.

Flower Ministry

The Flower Ministry beautifies the sanctuary of the church for Sunday morning services and special occasions such as palm Sunday, Easter ( with palms and Easter Lillies ) and Christmas ( with Poinsettias ). The members of the church may order sets of flowers to be placed on the altar at this time for $20.00 ( for two plants ), for anniversaries, birthdays, graduations or in memory of a loved one.

To place an order see Linda Heath, President, or any other member of the Flower Ministry. The order must be called into the office by Tuesday morning and a small paragraph of your choice will be placed in the church bulletin that Sunday. The flowers will be placed on the altar, and may be removed Sunday after morning service.

If you have any further questions, you can reach Linda Heath at (610) 583-3210.

Missions Ministry

The Missionaries here at First Baptist Church have been in existence for many years, as of the first of the year, our Missionaries which were three ministries, Senior, Adults and Youth are now one.

Our purpose is to help develop a Christian consciousness awareness that will stimulate a missionary spirit. Every community has people who need to hear the message of Christ, to save, to comfort, to strengthen and to befriend. Our missions is that channel, through which men, women and young people can work together where the gospel is needed. Our task is to engage in assigned community missions activities, and regular contributions to foreign missions.

Our desire is to share in soul-winning activities, visit the hospitals, nursing homes, as we support the other ministries of the church. Our perspective is to present Christ, not ourselves, and to remember to meet the spiritual and felt needs of the community. We must recognize, we all are on different levels, and there must be room for growth.

We must always be ready to “fill in” when someone “falls out” of a program.

Our meetings are on the 3rd Sunday of the month, right after morning 11 o’clock service, each 5th Sunday of the month, is a Annual Missionary Sunday. We want to invite each and everyone to join in with us, together we can play a significant role in strengthening some individuals life.

On the 5th Sunday in September, we will be looking to have a glorious time in the Lord. On the 1st Saturday in November, we will have our Annual Workshop. We will continue to keep you informed, come out and join us in praise.

We thank God, for the strong warriors who paved the way for us, people like Mother Sarah Boyer, Mother Viola Johnson, Mother Mary Clifton, Mother Virginia Dunbar and Deacon Willard Thomas and many more.

Mother's Ministry

The Mother's Ministry is a prayerful group of Senior Christian Women praying for the unity of the church and for First Baptist Church of Darby to grow spiritually and numerically. They provide mature Christian perspective to the new believer.

New Member's Ministry

Each person desiring to become a member of First Baptist Church of Darby must complete the orientation classes before they can become a member. The orientation will be held each month on Sundays. You cannot receive the right hand of fellowship until all classes are completed. We will keep roll at each session.

The New Member's Ministry meets 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM on Sundays.

The New Member Ministry is a sincere attempt to edify the body of Christ and stabilize our membership. We thank you in advance for your prayer and cooperation.

Pastor's Aide Ministry

Our Pastor is the most valuable asset of our ministry, because he is the Shepherd that feeds the flock. Our purpose as servants is to assist our pastor, first lady, and first family. We do this first through prayer. It is the continuous prayers of this ministry ( and the entire congregation ) for the man of God and the first family that offers the most support.

Scholarships Ministry

The purpose of the First Baptist Church of Darby ( FBCD ) Scholarship Fund is to demonstrate the church's commitment to our young people in attaining higher education. The Scholarship Ministry uses available funds to make awards to students who are members of the church and are pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Applicants will have the responsibility of adhering to the guidelines set forth by the Scholarship Committee to meet eligibility.

Women’s Fellowship Ministry

The Women’s Fellowship of the FBC of Darby under the leadership of First Lady Merriweather meet every 3rd Sat of the month from September to June. Our time of gathering is from 9:30 AM until 12:00 noon beginning our fellowship with a Continental Breakfast. We eat, share, laugh, cry, pray, and encourage one another with a teaching Devotional every month. Presently this season we are studying ‘Bad Girls of the Bible’ and realize that we ourselves have been in that space at one time and/or are waiting for deliverance from that space; every season is a different prayerful challenge. Feel free to come join us at any time without a cost; all are welcomed and encouraged to come out to fellowship with us. We live by our standing scripture verse, John 15:12, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Our everyday focus is to live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to be spiritual and physical assets to the Body of Christ not only at First Baptist but wherever God sends us.

Leadership:

Sis. Deborah Merriweather - Director

Sis. Doris Ruley - 1st VP

Sis. Jessie Barnes - 2nd VP

Rev. Yvonne Smith - Chaplain

Sis. Ernestine Yarbough - Asst. Chaplain

Sis. Cheryl Kidd - Secretary

Sis. Illinoir Goldsby / Sis Elizabeth Clark - Treasurers

Sis. Deatra Floyd - Photographer

Sis. Eloise McFall / Sis. DeShonta Jones - Decorating committee

Sis. Wilma Lee - Devotional Leader

Sis. Ernestine Tasco - All Around Helping Hand

Youth Ministry

The Youth Ministry's goal is to help each and every young person grow personally and spiritually. Responding to the spiritual needs of our young people is about building trusting relationships. We strive to guide them on their journeys from childhood to adulthood, recognize their gifts for ministry, their questions about spirituality, and their desire to make the world a better place.