About

A first century model church

Meeting needs, building relationships, and growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Our mission

Serving God by serving others

We are a church that meets tangible needs in the communities we serve in order to reach hurting people for Christ — counseling, health and wellness, ESL, private education, disaster recovery, family services, local and international missions, clothing and food, and ministries for children, youth, and adults that are relevant for today.

Our story

From a dozen members to a family of over a thousand

Our history

The First Baptist Church of Addis was established in the late 1950s. By 2009 the church was down to a dozen members and struggling. The pastor at the time, Frank Stagg, invited Tom Shepard to come in as associate pastor and help with discipleship — and two weeks later announced his retirement and asked Pastor Shepard to take the helm. In 2010, at 42 members, Pastor Shepard became senior pastor. By 2022 the now-named Church at Addis had grown to 1,059 members, launched a church in Plaquemine, added a campus in Walker, and was running a K3–12th grade private school.

Our future

The future is bright! Having purchased 35 acres across the street in Addis, the church is looking to build a 2,500-seat performing arts center doubling as the worship facility, a 1,650-student private school with vocational and academic tracks, a family and recovery counseling center, a wellness center, adult literacy and ESL programs, and a disaster recovery hub for south Louisiana — all to make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.