About Us

Downsville Baptist Church was organized on May 6, 1894 by elder A.J. Moore and 19 members of the Robinson Baptist Church. In a summer revival, another 39 members joined, A sanctuary and school house were erected on land deeded by E.J. Webb, W.C. Crunk and Fannie M. Crunk in 1896. Over the years, a number of church facilities have been built on this site and are shared with the community for a variety of activities.

Who We Are

Downsville Baptist Church is a group of people who love Christ. We love Waco. We desire to make Jesus shine brightly in Waco and beyond.

Identity

The Gospel is our identity. It leads us in everything we do. As Waco continues to grow, we long to make Jesus famous and love anyone who wants to know more about Christ. We are here because Christ loved us first; served us first; and saved us. We want everyone here to know Who He is , what He is like, and how He loves us.

Mission

Make Disciples Who Make Disciples for the glory of God. Jesus commands us to make disciples. This is our heart. We want the Gospel to spread throughout Waco so that people will not only have the heart to follow Christ, but that they desire to see others come to know Him, treasure Him, and pursue Him.

What We Believe

The Good News

The Bible tells us there is Good News for bad people. In a world that is full of sin and bad news, we are constantly looking for good to replace it. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news our sinful hearts need.

Creation

Jesus Christ is the Eternal Word, who was with God and who was God. He was with God in the beginning (John 1:1-3). He creates all, sustains all, and upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1.3).

Fall

Adam and Eve sin and thus all of humanity is cursed, separated from perfect fellowship with God (Genesis 3). All of creation is now broken, lacking all goodness and bound to sin (Romans 3:23, 5:12).

Gospel

The Eternal Son, the Word of God, becomes human and dwells among us, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He comes as true God and true man, offering his life as the perfect sacrifice for our sins by dying on a cross (Philippians 2.8). The wrath of God is satisfied through the death of Jesus. He lives the perfect life that’s impossible for us and dies the death we don’t want, so that we may be saved. Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). He rose from the dead to show his power over death and the grave, and makes the way for us to be reconciled to God (1 Corinthians 15.3-8).

The Church

In Christ, we are saved by grace through faith. We have redemption and forgiveness. We are now his workmanship, created in Christ for good works. We live for Christ, repenting of our sins and proclaiming to the world the free gift of salvation in Christ. (Ephesians 1-2).

Hope

Christ will return and will make all things new, creating a new heaven and new earth, where those who believe in Him will dwell in his presence forever, free from sin and death (Revelation 21-22).

Why We Gather

The values and vision of Downsville Baptist Church

Gospel Doctrine

We want to know God. We look to the Bible to teach us Who He is and How He loves. The Bible is our sole authority on how we know God. The only way we get it right is to admit our need for God and to ask Him to help us. Only by His leading and His presence are we a church that is Gospel-centered with Gospel Doctrine. We preach the Gospel every week and we look to the Gospel to be our hope each day. We exist for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. And we embrace the Great Commission to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the commands of Jesus.

Gospel Community

Gospel Community is an essential and vibrant part of the church. We meet twice each week, Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, to gather in smaller groups to study God’s Word, pray, laugh, give, and fellowship. These are times where disciple-making really begins to take root and shape our lives. These times allow us to go a little deeper with Jesus and each other, enriching our lives, and leading us to be on mission for Him wherever we go. We can be real with each other, honest without hypocrisy, as we embrace Jesus in all of life’s circumstances.

Gospel Culture

Jesus said that we are the light of the world. He brings us out of the darkness and into his marvelous light. He tells us not to hide our light, but to let it shine brightly to everyone. This is how Waco will see Jesus: through the lives of the church. Our lives are defined by the love He has shown us, and the love He commands us to show others. This happens when the church is a living, breathing group of believers who work together to make God famous in the world. We have the privilege to put Jesus on display and to lead others to Him.

Staff

Josh Miller

Pastor

Melissa Rhodes

Minister of Music