First Baptist Church of Tampa sits on the north side of West Kennedy Boulevard, just west of Downtown Tampa and directly across the street from the University of Tampa. A Southern Baptist congregation affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Tampa Bay Baptist Association, FBC Tampa describes its mission in a single phrase: Connecting People to a Thriving Life in Christ. Everything the church does is shaped by a three-part rhythm it calls Dig In, Grow Up, and Branch Out - engaging Scripture, becoming more like Christ, and bearing fruit for the Kingdom.
The church meets in a campus of connected buildings at 302 W Kennedy Boulevard, where Sunday mornings begin with a hot breakfast, move into age-by-age Bible study, and culminate in a blended worship service in the Sanctuary. The rest of the week is anchored by a packed Wednesday night of discipleship for every generation, plus targeted ministries for students, young adults, men, women, and a long list of local and global mission partners. Members describe the congregation's heartbeat as a desire to be the kind of church the world calls "unsexy" - faithful to God's Word rather than flashy, the name now shared with the pastors' Unsexy Church Podcast.
What to Expect on Sunday Morning
Sunday at FBC Tampa is built around three steady gatherings. The day begins at 8:30 AM with the Sunday morning Thrive Cafe, where a hot breakfast is served in the dining room until 9:15. From 9:30 to 10:30 AM the entire church disperses into Core Groups - the church's name for Sunday School - meeting in classrooms around the building for Bible study and community. The 10:45 AM Corporate Worship gathering then fills the Sanctuary and runs until about 12:15.
The worship service is described as a joyful celebration of the Lord Jesus Christ. Music is led by the Worship Ministry choir and supported by piano, guitars, brass, and drums, blending traditional hymns and contemporary songs so that believers of different backgrounds can lift up Jesus together. The service includes public reading of Scripture, corporate prayer, congregational singing, and the preaching of God's Word. Communion (the Lord's Supper) is observed as a regular part of gathered worship.
Children are always welcome in the Worship Center. On the first and fifth Sundays of the month, children join the whole congregation for worship; on other Sundays, kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are dismissed during the service for Kid's Worship, where they sing, study, and pray in an age-appropriate setting while parents remain in the Sanctuary.
Core Groups on Sundays
Core Groups are the small-group engine of the church. They meet every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM on campus and follow a unified Bible study plan while gathering by life stage. The current line-up includes groups for college students and young adults, young professionals, general fellowship, couples and singles in their 40s through 60s, women's groups, senior adults, and mixed groups of couples and singles in their 50s and 60s. Each group is led by church members and uses either verse-by-verse Bible study or topical studies rooted in passages like James 1 and 1 Corinthians.
A separate young adult Core Group meets in the Chapel and is geared toward college-aged and young adults 18 to 26. A women's group, a women's married and singles group, and two senior adult women's groups round out the offerings, giving the church a place for nearly every age and stage.
Wednesday Night Midweek Ministries
Wednesday night is the second anchor of the church week. The evening starts at 5:00 PM with the Wednesday Night Supper in the Dining Hall - an affordable dinner for adults, students, and kids ($8 adults, $5 students, $4 kid's portion, with $20 small family and $25 large family pricing). Eating together is intended to make it easy for families to stay for the discipleship that follows.
After supper, the building fills with parallel ministries for every age:
- AWANA for children ages 2 through 5th grade, 6:15 to 7:30 PM in the Kids Zone. AWANA stands for "Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed" from 2 Timothy 2:15, and each meeting includes Scripture memory, Bible lessons, and energetic games.
- N1NE Student Worship for students in grades 6 through 12, 6:19 to 7:35 PM on the second floor of the Carlton Building. The night features high-energy worship, teaching, and community.
- Wednesday Night Discipleship Classes at 6:30 PM in the cafeteria. The current series, "Because You Asked," is an intergenerational discussion format where questions submitted in advance are worked through in small groups before being shared with the whole room.
- Worship Choir Practice at 7:45 PM in the Sanctuary, where choir members rehearse for Sunday services.
Children's Ministry
Children's Ministry at FBC Tampa exists to connect children from birth through fifth grade to a thriving life in Christ, partnering with parents as the primary disciplers. Olivia Dodson leads the ministry, which is built around the conviction that faith comes from hearing the message about Christ (Romans 10:17).
On Sunday mornings, Kid's Core Groups meet at 9:15 AM and use age-appropriate teaching to lay a biblical foundation. During the 10:30 worship hour, elementary children gather for Kid's Worship with singing, Bible study, and active learning. Preschoolers and younger children are cared for in Extended Teaching Care, where rotating teachers provide a safe and loving environment. On the first and fifth Sundays, children worship with their families in the Sanctuary.
AWANA runs every Wednesday night during the school year from 6:15 to 7:30 PM. Each summer the church hosts Vacation Bible School, a week of Bible lessons, songs, games, and crafts that opens the gospel to children in the community. CentriKid Summer Camp extends that same ministry into a summer camp experience. Family events throughout the year - Father-Daughter Date Nights, Mother-Son Events, and the annual Trunk-or-Treat - are designed to help families grow together in Christ.
Student Ministry
The Student Ministry serves students in grades 6 through 12, gathering on the second floor of the Carlton Building for worship, Bible study, and fellowship. Pastor Ben Block oversees the ministry alongside its Wednesday night worship gathering and Sunday morning Core Groups, with the conviction that "discipleship happens best in circles, not rows."
Wednesday nights give students games, Christ-centered worship, and expository Bible teaching. Sunday morning Core Groups break students into smaller groups by age and stage for deeper Bible engagement. Each summer, students look forward to Thrive Camp, an annual beach retreat held at Laguna Beach Christian Retreat. The retreat combines beach games, worship, teaching, small group discussion, and team challenges. DNOW (Disciple Now Weekend) provides a high-energy winter weekend of worship, teaching, small groups, and service projects, while seasonal parties, mission projects, and outreach events round out the student calendar.
Young Adult Ministry and The Collective
The Young Adult Ministry serves people ages 18 to 26, whether they are in college, launching careers, or simply navigating a transitional season. On Sunday mornings, young adults gather in the Chapel from 9:30 to 10:30 AM for Core Group, walking through books of the Bible and addressing real-life topics.
The signature gathering is The Collective, a Tuesday-night worship and teaching time that runs from 7:00 to 8:30 PM during the fall and spring college semesters. Each week includes worship led by young adults, coffee, fellowship, games, and a teaching series that walks through Scripture. Twice a semester the church hosts open, anonymous Q&A sessions where young adults can bring honest questions about faith, life, and the Bible, addressed by church pastors and occasional guest speakers. Other annual opportunities include a trip to the Cross Conference in Kentucky, a Christmas party, and chances to serve in Student Ministry and other outreach efforts.
Growth and Discipleship Beyond Sunday
Outside the Sunday and Wednesday rhythms, FBC Tampa builds intentional pathways for spiritual growth. The most personal of these are D-Groups, small groups of three to four believers focused on accountability, prayer, and Scripture memory. Led by church members, D-Groups are designed to foster deep relationships and lasting transformation.
Wednesday night Discipleship Classes rotate through topics and teachers throughout the year, with Pastor Bob Block currently leading "Because You Asked" in the cafeteria. Past series have included "Engaging with Our Islamic Neighbor" and "Spiritual Disciplines," with recordings posted online for those who miss a session.
The church's Our Measures page lays out eight diagnostic questions members are encouraged to revisit regularly: is my character a reflection of Christ, am I living in obedience, do I love others unconditionally, am I leading my family and friends to follow the Lord, am I sharing my faith, am I seeking the Lord in Word and prayer daily, am I leveraging my spiritual gifts, and am I gathering with other believers for worship? These questions are offered as a tool for personal growth rather than a checklist.
Worship Ministry
The Worship Ministry is led by Pastor Darren Selvidge and centers on the choir, supported by a band of piano, guitars, brass, and drums. Its aim is to draw the congregation into the presence of Christ through music that blends the church's heritage with contemporary worship songs. Choir practice happens every Wednesday at 7:45 PM in the Sanctuary, and anyone with a heart for worship is invited to join. The ministry is also featured on the church's Unsexy Church Podcast, where Pastors Bob Block, Darren Selvidge, and Trent Roseman explore Scripture and the everyday life of the church.
Missions: Local, National, and International
FBC Tampa takes seriously the call to make disciples of all nations, and a portion of every tithe is directed to missions through the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention. Each October the church hosts the GO Conference, bringing together local members and international partners to celebrate what God is doing through the church's network.
International mission partners include the Xhosa Gospel Mission in South Africa, Interlocking Ministries in Kenya, Sowing for Eternity in the Dominican Republic, and CRU in Japan. National partners include Charles Graham Ministries International in Dermott, Arkansas, and Redeemer City Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Pastor Trent Roseman is leading a church planting effort.
In the Tampa Bay area, the church partners with Love, Inc., House of Hope, FAMA in Grant Park, One More Child, Amazing Love Ministries, New Hearts Outreach, CRU International, New Life Solutions, Walking With Warriors, West Tampa Elementary, the Timothy Initiative, Tampa Baptist Manor, Bikes for Christ, and Florida 1.27 (CarePortal). On the second Monday of each month, members serve home-cooked meals to the homeless through Amazing Love Ministries, and the church regularly walks alongside military and law enforcement families through Walking With Warriors.
Short-term mission trips are offered annually. Recent and upcoming trips include the Dominican Republic with Sowing for Eternity (focused on evangelism, children's ministry, and community development) and Dermott, Arkansas with Charles Graham Ministries.
What We Believe
FBC Tampa affirms the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 in its entirety. The church believes the Holy Bible is divinely inspired, totally true and trustworthy, and the supreme standard for Christian faith and life. There is one true and living God, infinite in holiness and perfection, who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - three persons sharing one divine essence. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died on the cross as a substitute for sinners, rose again, ascended to the right hand of God, and will return personally and visibly in glory.
The church teaches that humanity is created in God's image but marred by sin, and that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, encompassing regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. It practices two ordinances: believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper. Each congregation is understood to be an autonomous body governed by Christ under the leadership of pastors and deacons. The church also affirms the cooperation of churches through voluntary associations, the priesthood of every believer, the separation of church and state, the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman, and the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death.
Pastors and Staff
Bob Block serves as Senior Pastor, providing visionary leadership and preaching each week. Darren Selvidge is the Worship and Discipleship Pastor, overseeing corporate worship gatherings and the discipleship pathway. Ben Block is the Next Generation Pastor, leading the student and young adult ministries. Olivia Dodson serves as Children's Minister. Randy Sheets is the Missions Coordinator, leading the church's local and global partnerships. Trent Roseman serves as Church Planting Pastor in Knoxville, Tennessee. The pastoral team is supported by an Operations Director, financial and administrative staff, and ministry assistants who handle connections and media.
Becoming a Member: First Steps
Anyone interested in church membership is invited to attend First Steps, a course offered several times a year. The session gives an in-depth look at the history, vision, and purpose of FBC Tampa, explains the church's beliefs, and walks prospective members through the expectations and opportunities of membership. First Steps classes are held in the dining room or the Loft after the Sunday service, with sign-ups available online.
Visiting FBC Tampa
The church sits right in the heart of Tampa, just west of Downtown and across the street from the University of Tampa at 302 W Kennedy Boulevard. There is no dress code - members and guests arrive in everything from shorts to suits, and the church asks only that visitors wear whatever helps them focus on worship. The Sanctuary and gathering spaces are fully wheelchair accessible, with a ramp just to the left of the main entry doors leading through the Dining Room and an elevator inside the building.
Parking is free and abundant. Reserved guest spaces and handicap parking are available in the adjacent lot off Hyde Park Avenue, just west of the main building. Additional parking is available in the South Lot on the south side of Grand Central Avenue between Hyde Park and Plant Avenues. Free street parking is available all around the campus on Sunday mornings until 2 PM. A golf-cart shuttle runs from the lots to the entrance, and a covered drive-up area is available for drop-offs in bad weather.
Visitors are greeted by the First Impressions Team under the covered walkway on Kennedy Boulevard. After the service, guests are invited to stop by the Pastors' Tent to meet a pastor, receive a small gift, and ask questions. Giving is available online for those who wish to support the church's mission, with gifts flowing to local ministry, the Cooperative Program through the Florida Baptist Convention, and a network of national and international mission partners.