About Our Church
Learn about our history, mission, and vision for the future.
Our Story
First Baptist Church of Highland Pines was founded in 1952 by a small group of believers with a vision to create a welcoming church community in Tampa, Florida.
For over 70 years, we have been committed to sharing the love of Christ, building meaningful relationships, and making a positive impact in our community.
Today, we continue to grow and evolve, but our core mission remains the same: to connect people with God, each other, and their purpose.
Our Mission & Values
We are guided by these core principles in everything we do.
Love God & Others
We believe in loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbors as ourselves. This love guides our actions and relationships.
Biblical Teaching
We are committed to teaching the Bible in a way that is relevant, practical, and transformative for everyday life.
Community Service
We believe in actively serving our community and meeting the needs of those around us with compassion and generosity.
Our Leadership Team
Meet the dedicated individuals who guide our church community.
Pastor John Smith
Senior Pastor
Pastor John has been leading our church for over 15 years with wisdom, compassion, and a heart for community.
Pastor Michael Johnson
Youth Pastor
Pastor Michael brings energy and passion to our youth ministry, helping young people grow in their faith journey.
Sarah Williams
Worship Director
Sarah leads our worship team with talent and devotion, creating meaningful worship experiences for our congregation.
What We Believe
Our core beliefs are rooted in the Bible and guide everything we do.
The Bible
We believe the Bible is God's Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and our ultimate authority for faith and practice.
God
We believe in one God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again, offering salvation to all who believe in Him.
Salvation
We believe salvation is a gift from God received through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our own works or merit.