Rise & Build

View the Rise and Build promotion video
     In 2026, First Baptist Church Brownwood will celebrate its 150th Anniversary and will have gathered for worship at the same location, in the same beautiful sanctuary, for the past 100 years.  
     To continue its vital ministry, we are currently engaged in a campaign called “Rise & Build” to construct a welcome center that will provide essential protection to our new elevator, a covered drive which will ensure ease of drop off, and a hallway that will connect the sanctuary with the children’s wing.  
     This is my second time around as a member of First Baptist Church, Brownwood.  I was born in Brownwood, brought up in First Baptist, nurtured in the faith, and baptized in its baptistery.  My earliest and some of my fondest memories of church occurred right here in this place among many longtime, faithful, church members.  
     If you share those connections as a child, as college student at HPU, or as a former member, I’m sure you too can remember tremendous people of faith – people who contributed to the work of this church, gathered faithfully in this place, and left their marks not only on the backs of the worn, wooden pews in the sanctuary but on your life as well.       
    If this church and the people of it have made a positive difference for you, perhaps God would lead you to join with us as we seek to continue and further its vital work in the community of Brownwood and beyond.  Would you pray with us or consider a contribution to this effort, as we celebrate what God has done and anticipate what God will do?  
In Christ,
Jerry
Pastor

Please join us as we embark on this journey of prayer and faith.

  • Sunday, Sept. 7 : Campaign Launch
  • Sept. 8 - Oct. 17 : 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting
  • Fri. Oct. 17-Sat. Oct. 18 : Prayer Vigil (6:00pm - 6:00pm)
  • Sunday, Nov. 2 : Pledge Sunday
  • Sunday, Nov 23 : Celebration Sunday

Questions & Answers

Here are some answers to common questions.

The campaign began on Sunday, September 7th, with 40 days of prayer and fasting and will conclude with a celebration Sunday at church on November 23rd, where totals will be announced. The
purpose of this campaign is to raise funds to remodel our facility to increase our community reach.

We have designed the improvements and are entering the process to getting a precise bid. Our estimated improvements range from $1M - 2M depending on finishes selected.

Funds will be raised in a variety of ways. There will be church family aspect of Rise and Build where each of us will be invited to go on a prayer journey and prayerfully consider how we might financially participate; the congregation started pledging on November 2nd. This is a step of faith and we all get a front row seat to watching the Lord bless.

The duration of the giving period will be three years, however, donations can also be a one-time gift.

While we hope that won't happen for you, we understand that the future is unknown. If your situation changes, you and your family would determine the most appropriate response. As this is a commitment between you and the Lord, we trust you will prayerfully work through it with the Lord.

Yes, all funds donated to the Rise and Build fund will receive the same tax receipting as any other giving to FBC Brownwood.

We ask that you join us in prayer, as God is the one who will ultimately provide for His church. Prayer is not the only thing that we will do, but it must be the first thing. We started our "40 days of Prayer and Fasting" on Monday, September 8th, and embarked upcoming "24-hour Prayer Vigil" on October 17th & 18th. Through our times of prayer, we believed that the Lord has led many of our members into deeper service in our church or discovered elements of His ministry they could share in.

The business would receive a donation receipt for tax purposes the same as an individual donor.
You may need to look at the regulations for your employer's matching funds. We would be happy to help however we can.

Yes. We're asking that whatever you pledge for the 3-year-period would be over and above your normal giving. We use the General Operating Fund, where your normal tithes and offerings are placed, for the day-to-day operations of the church. The funds pledged for Rise and Build will be placed in a separate fund to be used solely for the purposes listed above.

Pastor Jerry and his team will be visiting several small gatherings between September 22nd through October 3rd, so that you can hear more and ask questions. We will be sharing location and times for these gatherings so more into to follow. If none of the times work for you or you would like to talk with someone one-on-one, please feel free to contact Pastor Jerry (jerry@fibcbwd.com).

HOW CAN I HELP?

  • Prayer Support : Pray! It is imperative that we cover this whole campaign in prayer. 
  • Financial Support : We ask people to prayerfully discern giving outside their normal tithes and offering in both of these ways:
    • A one-time "first fruits:" This is giving that is available immediately.
    • Pledges: These are monthly pledges to provide support for a three-year period.
  • Spread the word : Get your friends, family, and the community excited about what God is doing at FBC Brownwood! Share with them this vision of our RISE & BUILD campaign. God may lay it on their hearts to be a part of this effort as well!