Flowood Baptist Church sits along Old Fannin Road in Flowood, Mississippi, a quiet residential stretch just west of the state capital. The church that meets here has been a steady presence in the community for more than eight decades, having first gathered under the name Pearl City Baptist in 1941. Members speak warmly about being one of the friendliest congregations in the area, and first-time visitors are greeted - never put on the spot - as part of the "Family of God." The church's motto, "To know Christ and make Him known," shapes everything from the pulpit to the children's hallway.
A Sunday Rhythm Built Around Three Services
The Sunday schedule starts early and ends late, giving worshipers a chance to study, sing, and fellowship across the day. Sunday School meets at 8:45 a.m., with classes divided by age so that preschoolers, children, students, and adults all open the Bible at the same hour. Morning Worship follows at 10:00 a.m. in the main sanctuary, where the congregation sings, prays, and hears a Bible-based sermon from Pastor Bobby McGuffie. A large video screen at the front displays lyrics, scripture, and announcements so that everyone can follow along.
The evening picks up at 5:00 p.m. with Discipleship Training and Celebration Kids, the church's children's choir for kids in K5 through sixth grade. Evening Worship begins at 6:00 p.m., and a separate youth Bible Drill runs at the same hour. The Praise Team gathers at 7:00 p.m. to rehearse the songs that will open the following Sunday morning.
What Services Look and Feel Like
Sunday services typically begin with praise, prayer, and congregational worship, followed by a greeting time and then the sermon. Music Minister Keith Mangum leads a blended service that moves between praise-and-worship medleys and traditional hymns, with the Sanctuary Choir and instrumentalists adding depth. Visitors can expect an easygoing atmosphere - the church is known for telling newcomers that they can come as they are. Suits and blue jeans both show up in the pews, and the goal is worship, not fashion. Children's worship binders are available in the foyer to help younger ones stay engaged during the longer morning message.
Wednesday Nights for the Whole Church
Midweek services begin at 6:30 p.m. and pull every age group into the building at the same hour. While Pastor McGuffie leads a time of teaching and prayer in the sanctuary, children divide into age-specific missions programs: Mission Friends for preschoolers, Girls in Action (GA's) for first-through-fifth-grade girls, and Royal Ambassadors (RA's) for the boys. At the end of the church year, the GA's and RA's are recognized for their achievements with badges and pins proudly displayed on their vests. Students meet in the youth room at 6:30 p.m. for games, worship, Bible study, and small groups. The Sanctuary Choir rehearses at 7:30 p.m., wrapping up the night with music.
Flowood Kids: From Nursery Through Sixth Grade
Flowood Kids, the church's children's ministry, aims to help children build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ through solid biblical teaching and a Christ-centered worldview. Sunday mornings begin at 8:45 a.m. with a time of praise and worship, followed at 9:00 a.m. by age-divided Sunday School classes using the Answers in Genesis curriculum. Children ages five and up join their parents in the main worship service at 9:45 a.m.
Loving childcare is available during all services, including Wednesday nights, for babies through two-year-olds, while preschoolers enjoy their own age-specific classes. During Sunday morning worship, two-year-olds experience a special Bible story time. On Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m., first-through-sixth graders take part in Bible Drill and Bible Buddies, a program that builds confidence in navigating scripture, memorizing key verses, and handling the Bible itself.
Flowood Students: Middle and High School Together
Flowood Students exists to equip students to grow in their faith, live out the Gospel, and serve others well. On Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m., middle schoolers and high schoolers meet in the Youth Room to study scripture in chronological order from Genesis to Revelation - a four-year journey through the whole Bible. Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. bring students back together for Bible Drill, where they memorize key passages and learn to study on a deeper level. Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. add games, worship, Bible study, and small groups led by invested leaders who walk through the topics together.
Young at Heart: Senior Adults on the First Monday
The senior adult ministry at Flowood Baptist is called Young at Heart, a group of energized senior adults who gather once a month (sometimes more) for fun, food, and fellowship. The group meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, sharing meals, games, laughter, day trips, and opportunities to help others. Associate Pastor Jon Vanlandingham oversees the ministry.
A Place for Every Believer: Special Needs Ministry
Flowood Baptist operates a special needs ministry that meets during Sunday School, Morning Worship, Evening Worship, and Wednesday night services. The conviction behind the ministry is simple: every person is wonderfully made in God's image and has a place to belong in the body of Christ. Families are invited to come and let their light shine.
Music That Spans Hymns and Praise Medleys
Music is a hallmark of the Flowood Baptist week. The Sanctuary Choir rehearses each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and presents choral music during regular Sunday services as well as special seasonal programs and a summer concert. No auditions are required, and new voices are welcome. Celebration Kids, the children's choir for K5 through sixth grade, meets Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m., giving kids a chance to learn to worship the Lord through music. The Praise Team rehearses Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and opens the morning service with a praise and worship song or medley, with soloists and small groups invited to use their gifts as well.
Pastor Bobby McGuffie and the Staff
Dr. Bobby McGuffie has served at Flowood Baptist for more than a decade, beginning in September 2011 after previous stints as the church's Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor. A Brookhaven, Mississippi, native, McGuffie gave his life to Christ at age 13 and surrendered to ministry at 15. He earned an associate degree at Copiah-Lincoln Community College and a Doctorate in Ministry from Southwest Bible College and Seminary. He and his wife Lindsey live in the area with their three daughters, and Lindsey teaches first grade at Flowood Elementary School.
Jon Vanlandingham serves as Senior Adult Pastor and Associate Pastor. Hudson Mullins is the Youth Pastor. Keith Mangum leads the music ministry as Music Minister, supported by pianist Angie Mangum and keyboardist Rachel Neal. Christie Abercrombie directs children's ministry, Audrey Col'on leads the preschool division, and Betty Gammill oversees the nursery. Lindsey Bryant serves as church secretary.
From Pearl City Baptist to a Modern Campus
The church was organized as Pearl City Baptist in 1941, with the original site donated by Wirt Adams. A 1950 building program added a baptistery, kitchen, choir room, nursery, office, and classrooms, and the congregation adopted the name First Baptist Church Flowood in 1953. As the church grew, the auditorium was extended in 1961. In 1997, the widening of Highway 49 forced a move to the present location at 1649 Old Fannin Road - a trying time for the staff and congregation that, by their account, the Lord carried them through. A new sanctuary and one education wing were built at the new site, followed by a second education wing to accommodate continued growth. The current sanctuary, where weekly services now meet, was completed in August 2016. A long line of pastors has served the church over the years, including B.H. Benton, W.S. Landrum, W.N. Hegwood, David Barnhill, W.L. Heath, W.H. Buckalew, J.L. Chapman, Glenn Morgan, Guy Gray, Johnny Spencer, Marcus Alexander, and Dr. Ricky Gray.
What Flowood Baptist Believes
The church's stated purpose is to provide people with an opportunity to encounter God through Jesus Christ and then grow to be more like Him, promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in the inspired Word of God. The church is commissioned by Christ to maintain and expand His Kingdom through the ongoing, Spirit-led work of evangelism, missions, Bible study, worship, prayer, and fellowship.
Flowood Baptist teaches that there is one true and living God who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, crucified, risen, and exalted at the right hand of God as the one Mediator between God and humanity. The Holy Spirit inspired Scripture, illuminates truth, convicts of sin, regenerates the believer, and empowers the church for worship and service. The Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God and the supreme standard for Christian belief and living. Human beings, made in God's image, fell into sin and are in need of salvation, which comes only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Believers are eternally secure in that salvation. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. The church is an autonomous congregation of baptized believers, with baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper as the two ordinances ordained by Christ. Members are called to evangelism, missions, and cheerful, systematic stewardship of time, talents, and possessions.
Staying Connected Throughout the Week
Services are livestreamed on YouTube, and recordings of recent sermons are posted so that anyone can catch up on a missed message. Online giving is available for tithes and offerings. A weekly church bulletin and the monthly "Flowood Chimes" newsletter keep members informed, and the church calendar lists upcoming Bible Drills, fellowships, and special events. The church is connected to the broader Mississippi Baptist community through The Baptist Record and partners in missions work such as Amazon River Missions.