First Baptist Church Clarksville has stood on the downtown square of Clarksville, Tennessee, for more than a century and a half. The church's mission statement - "Worship God, Love People, Share Jesus, Make Disciples" - is repeated across its ministries and on the lips of its members, and the building that rises at the corner of Commerce and Madison streets has become a kind of crossroads for the city. On a single Sunday morning, three different worship services gather on the same block: an English-language service in the Grace Worship Center, a Hispanic service across the street in the Faith Worship Center, and a Korean service upstairs in the Hope Building. On the same block, preschoolers learn that "God made and loves me," college students trade lawn chairs for Bibles in The Loft, and a fitness center opens its doors for anyone who wants to walk a track or play a pick-up game of basketball.
A Sunday Built Around Three Worship Hours
The Sunday rhythm at First Baptist Clarksville begins at 9:00 a.m., when Connect Groups meet across the campus for every age and stage of life. By 10:30 a.m., the congregation gathers in the Grace Worship Center for the main English service, a blended blend of hymns and modern worship songs led by Worship and Creative Arts Pastor John Mark Cox, the Worship Team, and the Adult Choir. Senior Pastor Dr. Ronny Raines preaches most Sundays, with Associate Pastor Bro. Erdie Carter filling the pulpit when Raines is away.
At the same 10:30 hour, the Hispanic Ministry meets in the Faith Worship Center at 435 Madison Street under the leadership of Pastor Ed Rocha. Visitors and members gather to grow in Christ through worship, Bible study, and fellowship, with services conducted in Spanish. An hour later, at 11:45 a.m., the Korean Ministry gathers in the Hope Building's third-floor middle school area. Led by Korean Pastor John Lee, this congregation is studying the Gospel of John together and worships in Korean.
For those who cannot be on campus, services are livestreamed at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays through Facebook and YouTube, and rebroadcast throughout the week. Online worship airs on Saturdays at 7:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Mondays at 7:00 p.m., and Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Local television viewers can also catch recent services on WCKV-TV (Channel 6 on Charter/Spectrum, Channel 12 on CDE Lightband, or over-the-air Channel 22.1).
Wednesday Nights Around the Table
Wednesday evenings at First Baptist Clarksville have the feel of a community gathering. At 4:30 p.m., the Laida Fellowship Hall fills with the smells of a home-cooked meal as families sit down together for the Family Night Supper. The cost is $12 per adult and $2 per child age 10 and under, with dessert and a drink included.
At 6:00 p.m., the church splits into a half-dozen concurrent ministries. In the Grace Worship Center, Pastor Ronny leads a Large Group Bible Study open to all adults. For the fall season, the series works through the more than fifty "one another" passages of the New Testament - prayers to pray, loves to extend, forgivenesses to grant. Down the hall, Growth Groups meet in smaller circles. Recent offerings have included Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God with Dr. James Sanders, Shane Pruitt's Not My Jesus with Ryan Martin, Priscilla Shirer's Discerning the Voice of God with Tabitha Dowdy, and a men's study called REUP: Living By The Life Of Another with Ron Pendergrass. Each study costs $10.
At the same hour, Preschool Wild Adventures fills the first floor of the Grace Building, Kids' Night gathers 1st through 5th graders in the Hope Building, Student Worship meets in the Student Space, College and Young Adults take over The Loft, the Adult Choir rehearses in the Choir Room, and the Hispanic Ministry gathers in Rooms 2322 and 2313. Childcare is provided for many of these gatherings with advance registration.
Connect Groups for Every Stage of Life
The 9:00 a.m. hour on Sundays is structured around Connect Groups, the church's small-group ministry. The goal is simple: "iron sharpening iron." Classes are organized by age, life stage, and interest, and a Connect Center at the Steeple entrance helps newcomers find the right fit on any given Sunday.
Beyond Sunday morning, a long list of weekly Bible studies and groups meet throughout the week. On Tuesdays, a men's prayer group gathers at Chick-fil-A at 6:30 a.m. under the leadership of Greg Utley, and a summer women's study called "The Way of Wisdom" meets in the Steeple Landing. Wednesdays bring the Explorers women's Bible Study in the Hope Building from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. with Becky Bourne, alongside the Korean Ministry's Gospel of John study at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor John Lee. On Fridays, MomLife gathers moms of all ages and stages in the Student Space for fellowship and study.
For adults with special needs, the Shine Adult Special Needs Ministry meets Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in Room 3187, providing a faith-filled and welcoming environment for adults 18 and older.
God's Animal Kingdom: Preschool through Kindergarten
The Preschool Ministry, called "God's Animal Kingdom," serves babies through completed kindergartners on the first floor of the Grace Building. Sundays include a 9:00 a.m. Connect Group hour and a 10:30 a.m. Smiles Worship Hour, with a single controlled entrance and exit, security stickers for every child, and at least two adults in every classroom. Every volunteer has passed a background check.
Through age-appropriate Bible lessons and activities, preschoolers learn that God made and loves them, that Jesus wants to be their friend forever, that the Bible is true, and that they can talk to God. On Wednesday nights, Wild Adventures rotates preschoolers through Bible study, crafts, music, and recreation. The ministry is led by Preschool Minister Cheryl McCrary, and a separate program called First Learners Preschool operates as a two-day-a-week preschool (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for children whose families want a Christian preschool experience.
Kids: First Through Fifth Grade
The Kids Ministry meets on the first floor of the Hope Building and partners with parents for the spiritual growth and discipleship of their children. Sunday Connect Groups at 9:00 a.m. include praise songs, videos, games, teaching, and small-group discussion. Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m. bring Kids' Night, a high-energy midweek ministry built around Bible study, missions education, worship, and recreation games. Recent fall curriculum units include "I Am Designed for a Purpose" and "I Am Valued."
Foundations is a class series offered to 1st through 5th graders who have questions about Christ, baptism, and what it means to be a Christian. The ministry is led by Director of Women and Kids' Ministries Tabitha Dowdy. Each summer, completed 2nd through 5th graders travel to Crossings Kids Camp at Jonathan Creek in Hardin, Kentucky, for Christ-centered worship, Gospel teaching, water sports, climbing, and zip lines.
Students, College, and Young Adults
The Student Ministry at First Baptist Clarksville serves 6th through 12th graders and describes itself around four words: Worship God, Love People, Share Jesus, Make Disciples. Sunday morning Connect Groups at 9:00 a.m. are split by grade and gender, while Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m. gather students for a time of worship and Bible study before splitting into small groups.
The ministry is led by Next Generation Pastor Cole McCartney, whose ordination service was held at the church in August 2026. Throughout the year, students participate in DNOW weekends, summer mission trips, pickleball tournaments, drive-in movie nights, Christmas in the Summer, and Middle School Mission Projects that serve local ministries such as Hope Pregnancy Center, Manna Cafe, and Loaves and Fishes.
The College and Young Adults Ministry, for ages 18 to 22, meets in a space called The Loft, located upstairs in the Hope Building and accessible from 5th Street. Sunday Connect Groups gather at 9:00 a.m. and a Wednesday night study begins each fall - recent studies have included "How Do We Live as Christians?" Activities such as Sundaes on Sunday and Games, Grub, and Goodies create space for fellowship throughout the year.
Legacy: A Ministry for the 55-and-Up Crowd
First Baptist Clarksville takes its ministry to senior adults seriously, organizing it under the name Legacy. Each First Thursday, adults 55 and older gather in the Laida Fellowship Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for Bible study, an $8 lunch, and a rotating program of fellowship activities. Legacy also plans trips throughout the year, including day trips to Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, the Loveless Cafe, and a Christmas trip to Nashville for lunch at Puckett's and The Nutcracker at TPAC.
Legacy VBS, a three-day Vacation Bible School for adults 55 and older, runs each summer with a different theme. Recent sessions have included Bible study on Heaven, breakout sessions on staying physically and mentally strong, hymn singing, Bible trivia, and a heart-to-heart session with the senior pastor.
Recreation and Fitness on Campus
The Recreation Ministry oversees the FBCT Fitness Center, which features new cardio equipment, weight machines, an indoor walking and jogging track, a gym floor for basketball, and an aerobic room. The Fitness Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to noon, with complimentary guest passes available for non-members.
Pickleball is played on the gym floor, and a Men's Basketball League runs on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings. The recreation ministry exists on the conviction that recreation and leisure are a Christ-centered way to bring families together, build character, and meet physical, mental, and spiritual needs.
Military, ESL, and Special Needs
Because Clarksville sits beside Fort Campbell, military ministry has long been a focus of First Baptist Clarksville. Pastor Ed Rocha oversees both the Hispanic Ministry and Military Ministry, and the church maintains a robust network of resources for service members, veterans, and their families. The On Belay Connect Group, which meets Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in Room 2327, has expanded from a single-soldier group to include active-duty, National Guard, reserve, and veteran families. The Military Ministry also hosts an annual Summer Fest at Eagles Rest Pavilion on Fort Campbell.
ESL First Baptist Clarksville offers Beginner and Intermediate English classes on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. at 412 Commerce Street (Door 6). Each class is capped at 20 students and costs $40 per year, which covers two textbooks. English Café runs from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. before class, and activities for infants through 12th grade are available during class time. Each class session includes a short Bible story.
The Shine Adult Special Needs Ministry offers a Connect Class for adults 18 and older with special needs, meeting Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in Room 3187 with advance registration.
Missions: From Clarksville to the Nations
First Baptist Clarksville organizes its missions philosophy around Acts 1:8, with concentric circles of outreach: Clarksville, Tennessee, North America, and the nations. Local outreach includes partnerships with organizations such as Hope Pregnancy Center, Manna Cafe, Loaves and Fishes, and Norman Smith Elementary School, where the church has recently filled 50 backpacks with school supplies for students in need.
Statewide and national missions efforts are coordinated through the North American Mission Board, and international efforts are supported through the International Mission Board, with regular updates and prayer requests shared in weekly communication. International mission trips are planned throughout the year; recent offerings have included two consecutive Brazil mission trips in the fall, with participants able to serve for one or two weeks. The church also plans a 2027 Holy Land trip from February 17 to 26. Mission Trip and Project donations can be made online through the church's giving platform.
Rick Thompson serves as Interim Missions Pastor and oversees the ministry with a Discipleship and Missions Administrative Assistant. The missions team also includes John Lee (Korean Ministry), Ed Rocha (Military and Hispanic Ministry), and Bill Graham (Visitation Pastor).
What First Baptist Clarksville Believes
First Baptist Clarksville is aligned with the Southern Baptist Convention and adopts the Baptist Faith and Message (2000) as its confession of faith. The church teaches that the Holy Bible is divinely inspired, totally true and trustworthy, and the supreme standard for Christian faith and practice.
Salvation is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. Baptism is by full immersion of believers and is a prerequisite for church membership and the Lord's Supper. The church practices the two ordinances Christ gave his followers: baptism and the Lord's Supper. A New Testament church is understood as "an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel," and the office of pastor is reserved for men as qualified by Scripture.
The church holds to a complementarian view of marriage as the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime, teaches that children are a blessing from the Lord from the moment of conception, and emphasizes cooperation among Southern Baptist churches for the spread of the gospel. Stewardship of time, talents, and material possessions is taught as a binding Christian obligation.
Baptism, Membership, and First Steps
Anyone who has professed faith in Jesus Christ and been baptized by immersion can become a member of First Baptist Clarksville, whether by baptism at FBCT, transfer of letter from another Southern Baptist church, statement of prior baptism, or statement of faith for those coming from denominations that do not practice believer's baptism.
Prospective members are encouraged to attend First Steps, a membership class taught by Pastor Ronny and the ministry team. The class includes dinner in the Steeple Landing and covers personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the meaning of church membership, biblical baptism, the Lord's Supper, the church's beliefs and vision, opportunities to give, ways to serve, ministries at the church, and a tour of the facilities. Childcare is available with registration.
Giving and the Endowment Fund
Members and visitors can give to First Baptist Clarksville in several ways: online through PushPay, through the FBCT App, at the Giving Kiosks on the Commerce Street Concourse of the Grace Worship Center, through online bill pay, by check or cash using giving envelopes, or by mail to the church office. Asset gifts such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate are also accepted.
The First Baptist Church Endowment Fund, established in 2001 by the Board of Deacons, accepts cash gifts, bequests, life insurance beneficiary designations, retirement plan gifts, and real estate. Invested through the Southern Baptist Foundation, the principal is preserved so that only the growth and interest can be used for grants - including campus improvements, mission trip scholarships, evangelism and outreach, disaster relief, and other special needs.
Music, Conservatory, and the Arts
Worship Arts Ministry at First Baptist Clarksville exists to help people connect with Jesus Christ by creating an environment where they can experience the presence of God. The Adult Choir, Orchestra, Worship Band, vocalists, and instrumentalists all serve in weekly worship, and the church maintains a Music Librarian and Choir Secretary to support the program.
The First Clarksville Conservatory offers private vocal and instrumental instruction for students of all ages and skill levels, taught by qualified musicians in a one-on-one setting. Parents interested in lessons for their children or for themselves can contact the Conservatory Administrator through the church office.
The Faith Worship Center and the Downtown Campus
First Baptist Clarksville's Downtown Campus is centered at 499 Commerce Street, where the Grace Worship Center, Hope Building, and Laida Fellowship Hall share a connected footprint. The Faith Building at 435 Madison Street houses the Hispanic Ministry's Faith Worship Center, where the Spanish-language service meets each Sunday. Frosted numbers on the main entry doors help newcomers find their way, and a campus map is available online.
Designated Guest Parking is located near the Steeple (Main Entrance) and Preschool Entrances. Parents dropping off preschoolers, kids, or students will find parking off Commerce Street, Childers Street, and Hiter Street most convenient for those ministry areas. Those without children typically use the upper Guest Parking area by the Steeple Entrance.
MomLife: Building Community for Mothers
MomLife FBCT provides gospel-centered content, training, and encouragement for mothers at every stage - from newly pregnant to empty nester. Two groups meet throughout the school year: a Tuesday evening group on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Hope Parlor (no childcare), and a Friday morning group on the 1st and 3rd Fridays from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. in the Student Space (childcare available with split payments). Tuition is $50 per year, and the ministry exists to help moms grow in their faith and build spiritual friendships.
The Conservatory and the Lifelong Reading Plan
First Baptist Clarksville has published a 2026 Bible Reading Plan with six tracks: a 52-week theological track for kids, a 365-day theological track, a Chapter-A-Day track, a Through-the-Bible track, a Chronological track, and a New Testament track. A weekly prayer guide is posted each Thursday, and the senior pastor has called every Friday a Day of Prayer.
For those who want to go deeper, the church posts a complete Overview of the Bible series of audio teachings by Pastor Ronny, covering every book of the Old and New Testaments. Recent sermons are available in audio form through the Sermon Archive, and videos of the worship services are posted to YouTube and Facebook.
Learning the Building, the Staff, and the Story
The pastoral team at First Baptist Clarksville is led by Dr. Ronny Raines, who was called as Senior Pastor on November 1, 2020. Raines holds a Bachelor of Arts from Belmont University, a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He previously served churches in Kentucky and Florida and as a regional consultant for the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
Associate Pastor Erdie Carter joined the staff in 2025 and brings more than two decades of pastoral experience to his role. He holds a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education from Campbellsville College. Other ministry leaders include Worship and Creative Arts Pastor John Mark Cox, Next Generation Pastor Cole McCartney, Interim Missions Pastor Rick Thompson, Korean Pastor John Lee, Military and Hispanic Ministry Pastor Ed Rocha, Visitation Pastor Bill Graham, Director of Women and Kids' Ministries Tabitha Dowdy, and Preschool Minister Cheryl McCrary.
The church's story is described as one still unfolding: "For over 190 years, FBCT has been a rock solid testimony to the community God has called us to reach, but our story is still unfolding as God continues to grow our church toward His purpose." The downtown campus has been the setting for generations of baptisms, weddings, and funerals, and remains the hub for a congregation that worships in three languages, feeds families on Wednesday nights, and sends missionaries from Clarksville to the nations.