First Baptist Church of Anoka has stood at 1235 Park Street in Anoka, Minnesota for more than 170 years. Founded in 1856 by pioneers of faith, the congregation has built its life around the authority of Scripture and a desire to share the gospel of Jesus Christ at home and around the world. Senior Pastor Samuel Bolt now leads a church that pairs a historic building with ministries designed for every stage of life.
A Heritage Dating to 1856
The congregation traces its roots to 1856, when devoted settlers gathered with a humble commitment to God's Word and the spread of the gospel. Through the Civil War era, the changes of the twentieth century, and into the digital age, the church has continued in the same mission of worship, learning, and outreach. The historic building remains a testimony to enduring faith, while the ministries that meet inside it serve a diverse congregation and surrounding community today.
What Sunday Morning Looks Like
Sunday worship gathers at 10:30 AM. Sunday School for adults meets an hour earlier at 9:00 AM, providing an open setting for in-depth Bible study and discussion whether someone is new to Scripture or has studied it for years. A nursery is available for children from birth through age three from 9:00 to 11:30 AM, covering both the Sunday School hour and the worship gathering. Children ages four through fifth grade attend Sunday School from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, then join the worship service before being dismissed for Kids Church just before the sermon.
Children and Youth: AWANA, Heritage Girls, Trail Life, and Paladin Sports
The church's children and youth ministries meet kids where they are and walk with them as they grow.
AWANA runs on Wednesday evenings from 6:20 to 8:00 PM, September through May. The night includes games, large- and small-group time, and a strong Scripture-memorization focus. Three tracks meet the needs of different ages: Cubbies for ages three to five, Sparks for kindergarten through second grade, and Truth and Training (T and T) for grades three through six. AWANA is a worldwide, non-profit children's program that helps kids learn about the Bible and develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Older students meet for Youth Group on Sunday nights from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. The evening includes dinner, worship, and games, and is led by Mitch Elliott, the church's Director of Student Ministries.
Two scouting-style programs round out the discipleship picture for older children and teens. American Heritage Girls Troop 1558 is a Christ-centered character and leadership development program for girls ages five through eighteen, dedicated to building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country. Trail Life USA is a church-based, Christ-centered, boy-focused mentoring and discipleship journey built on timeless biblical values and outdoor adventure, engaging boys from kindergarten through twelfth grade in a troop setting with male mentors.
The church also partners with Paladin Sports Outreach, which has run recreational youth sports in the northwest Minneapolis suburbs of Anoka, Ramsey, Andover, Coon Rapids, Champlin, Dayton, and Brooklyn Park since 2008. Paladin runs t-ball, soccer, basketball, flag football, and floor hockey for boys and girls ages three through ten, with each season lasting six weeks. Volunteer coaches teach fundamentals while introducing a weekly character trait and memory verse, sharing the message of Jesus with athletes and praying before contests.
Adult Ministries: Men, Women, and Growing Small Groups
Adults have several rhythms for fellowship and study during the week.
Men's Ministry includes three offerings. A small-group Bible study meets on Mondays at 6:00 PM for discussion, prayer, and accountability. A men's coffee fellowship gathers on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM alongside the women's study for coffee, Bible discussion, and prayer. In the summertime, the men's softball team competes in a local league as a way to build friendships and represent Christ on and off the field.
Women's Ministry welcomes women of all ages into a community for spiritual growth, friendship, and service. Through Bible studies, gatherings, and shared service, women have space to encourage one another in every season of life.
Both men and women also meet Tuesday mornings at 9:30 AM for coffee, fellowship, prayer, and study of God's Word.
Small groups are an emerging ministry at the church. As the leadership team builds toward a fuller small-group ministry, members and newcomers alike can look forward to gatherings designed for authentic relationships, deeper Scripture discussion, and prayer that shapes daily life.
Core Beliefs
First Baptist Church of Anoka teaches classic evangelical convictions, rooted in Scripture.
- About God. There is one sovereign God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, lived a sinless life, died, rose again after three days, and paid the debt of human sin. The Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and Son to expose sin, affirm righteousness, warn of judgment, and empower every believer as a constant helper, teacher, and guide.
- About people. God created people in his image, so every person matters to God. All people are sinners and need his forgiveness. Those who confess and turn from their sin, trusting in Jesus Christ, are saved by grace and become children of God with the promise of eternal life.
- About the Church, the Bible, and Christ's return. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, which is his body made up of all who believe in him. The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Jesus Christ will return for a final judgment, and all who have trusted in him will enter eternal life in God's presence.
A Heart for Missions Near and Far
The congregation commits roughly eighteen percent of its annual budget to mission support, partnering with a wide circle of workers and ministries through prayer, encouragement, and financial giving. Current partners include Action International (Jeff and Mary Ann Anderson), City of Joy (John and Chris Sather), CRU (Jim and Amy Trewins; Steve and Nancy Huerd), ELIC, Middle East Ministries / Light of Israel (Dan Harder), Mission Go (Sarah Speer; Drs. Monohar and Shoba Paul), Wycliffe Bible Translators (Mabel Lewis), Pure Adventure (Colby and Christina Youtsey), Campus One80 (Val and Steve Nordbye), The Seed Company (Chuck Sneesby), AWANA Clubs (Tim and Cheryl Gilley), Our Daily Bread Ministries, Central Baptist Seminary, Camp Lebanon, Marie Sandvik Center, New Life Fellowship, Meals on Wheels, and ABWE International (Jonathan and Holly Boyd). The church also connects with the Venture Church Network Midwest, a regional fellowship of congregations.
Getting Connected
Sunday worship is at 10:30 AM, with Sunday School for all ages at 9:00 AM. The church office can be reached at (763) 421-5808 or office@fbcanoka.org. Past sermons are available on the church's YouTube channel, and giving is offered online. Visitors and longtime attenders can share prayer requests, ask questions, or sign up to get involved through the online Connect Card.