With one of the largest congregations in town and Sunday worship services at 10 a.m. that draw 300 members and visitors each week, the First Baptist Church of Windsor (FBC), is the only house of faith in this community with a private elementary and junior high school.
Education has always been a high priority. FBC’s Windsor Christian Academy has 157 students in grades K-8, plus a pre-school with 90 youngsters enrolled.
Lead Pastor and Teacher Lance Wallace has embraced a unique organizational model for this Bible-based church. He believes in empowering the leadership team of over 20 staff members, elders and deacons by placing each in charge of a specific area of responsibility.
With about 300 English and 80 Spanish-speaking attendees, four pastors are needed. In addition to Wallace, Pastor Aragon Wyatt focuses on youth and Pastor Rolando Arana heads Iglesia Vida (Church Life). FBC is also searching for a Children’s Pastor.
“Unlike the traditional senior pastor/deacon model, we have a plurality of elders with Rhett Paro serving as chairman overseeing our young adult ministry, Pat Riley in charge of shepherding and care along with Darin Stockham, who is assigned to family ministry and Erik Strom for finances,” says Wallace.
This system of delegation also includes deacons who head various ministries such as Helps (Mike Brookfield and Martin Kiff), Aid for the Homeless (Jerry Hayes), Youth (Ben Holt), Christian Mentors (Jim Lago), Men’s Ministry (Rob Millerick), Children’s Ministry (Josh Sinnott), Security (Joe Stadum), Care Ministry Chair (Jim Theiss) and Iglesia Vida with Juan Manuel Acevedo and Leonel Flores.
Wallace’s ancestors emigrated to Sonoma County from Italy in 1870. He grew up in Forestville, graduated from El Molino High School and at the young age of 32 was named senior pastor of FBC. He brings a friendly, youthful approach to both his ministry and mission that places emphasis on the spiritual aspects of life.
Over the years, the church at 10285 Starr Road has developed an innovative way to serve its community of believers by performing good works that support both member and non-member needs.
“I’ve always had a passion for outreach here and in West Sonoma County. Now God has given us a heart for the homeless. We host a nomadic shelter once a month during the winter, serve lunches at the Sam Jones Shelter for 80-90 homeless individuals and conduct worship services at the Redwood Gospel Mission near Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square every 5th Sunday.”
Sports play a key role when you are surrounded by so many young people. FBC has its own gym and basketball league for those in grades K to 6th divided into 12 teams. In addition, a large baseball diamond, batting cage and playground are located in back of the church with plenty of room for students to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.
“Our objective is to create a safe, wholesome environment where kids can become actively involved while keeping it fun, with respect for their coaches, team members and officials.”
Wallace says FBC’s statement of faith summarizes their core beliefs. “We believe the Bible is the word of God and that Jesus is the answer to humanity’s problems. We also take a complementarian view of men and women, who are equal, but different, with each complementing the other.”
He said another FBC objective is to help dads be pastors in their homes, and to take care of their families and neighborhood by being both salt – a preservative of what is good — and light – to help people see truth and falsehood.
FBC has a strong women’s ministry, led by Leslie Stadum and Jill Wallace, with 80 participants who meet regularly in small groups. The church hosts classes on parenting, marriage, finance and theology and leads special women’s conferences – such as one scheduled April 26 & 27 in Santa Rosa’s Bible Church featuring guest speaker Elyse Fitzpatrick — sponsored by the Gospel Coalition (for more information or to register go to www.bayarea.thegospelcoalition.org).
Like any other living thing, FBC has witnessed slow and steady growth since its founding.
“I am trying to shorten my messages a bit, while emphasizing application at the conclusion. My goal is to turn the listener’s ear into an eye. I do this by telling stories the way Jesus did that people can both hear, visualize and hopefully put into practice in their daily lives,” Wallace added.
