As Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, I am excited to see all that God is doing. Throughout our 150-year heritage, we have seen God's faithfulness evidenced in the lives of this body of believers, and for the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of shepherding a very special part of the family of God.

Our vision is to be a "Sharing church, Serving a Risen Christ." We believe that our church family is very important, and that we need each other as we seek to live out our Christian faith. At First Baptist, you can discover a number of fellowship groups and Bible studies that will help you grow in your Christian life.

Our mission is to "teach, preach and practice the entire truth of Scripture, so unbelievers are exposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and believers are challenged and changed as they conform to the character of Christ." At First Baptist Church, we believe that the teaching and preaching of the Bible needs to be very practical so that we, as the children of God, know how to apply its truth to our 21st century culture.

We would welcome you to join us at First Baptist Church. Come and grow with us, as we take the Word of God and apply it to our everyday life. You can share with a wonderful family that will encourage you in your walk with God and help you have a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.

If I can personally be a part of your life, I would welcome the opportunity. At First Baptist Church, we are simply "Ordinary People, Serving an Extraordinary God."

Pastor Thomas Townsend
Phil. 3:14

For we walk by Faith not by sight - II Corinthians 5:7

Although First Baptist of Rochester was established in 1854, we will review the history of this Body of Believers since 1973, which marks the relocation of First Baptist to 6377 Orion Road from "downtown" Rochester location at 4th and Walnut. As we look that this "recent" history we see the Lord’s blessing and provision during those times when our Church family has stepped out in faith to expand the work of the Church and the Kingdom of Christ.

Significant Events:

In 1973 the people of First Baptist of Rochester stepped out in faith to move the church facility from downtown Rochester to its present location at 6377 Orion Road. The vision was to provide additional facilities so that growth could take place and ministry could expand. God has blessed in such a way that building and land is currently paid for and our number has increased to fill the new facility.

In 1980 the congregation of First Baptist of Rochester stepped out in faith and voted to implement a ten (10) year program designed to increase Missions giving. The Lord blessed as Missionary giving increased from 20% to 50% of the total budget. God’s faithfulness has been evidenced in meeting every financial need. In 1993, with new building now part of the Church Budget and the prospect of additional staffing, our Church voted to no longer focus on a 50% allocation, but to continue a high investment in reaching our World for Jesus Christ through our Missions Program. Our Church budget for the year 2007 included a Missions Budget that is 29.5% of our total budgeted expenditures.

In 1988 the members of First Baptist of Rochester determined that there was a need to expand our facilities to gain additional Sunday School space, a new kitchen and gymnasium. This expansion was completed in 1991. God has blessed that step of Faith as we have seen significant growth that has filled the additional space. An additional "folding" wall was added in our Fellowship hall in 1994 and our Gym was divided in 1999 to add extra room and flexibility in our facilities. Additional parking was added in 1997 and again in 2000. God has blessed us financially so that we have been able to meet all of our obligations and are completely debt free. In October 2001 a 2 Worship Service/2 Sunday School format was developed for our Sunday Morning ministry. This has met our current increasing demand for expanded facilities. In 2006 we recognized our need to provide our Students with a ministry center/coffee house. Our Commons project was completed that same year. 2007 allowed us to focus on our Children’s ministry and our classrooms were remodeled to give us a colorful atmosphere in which to minister to our children. We also completed a Parking lot renovation during 2007.

Our current Pastor, Rev. Thomas Townsend, began his ministry in September of 1991. In June of 1995, a third full time staff position was added in the areas of Music and Outreach and was filled by Mr. Sherrill Hyatt. The Hyatt’s resigned their position in January of 2000. In July 2000 Pastor Rob Laing joined our Pastoral staff as our minister of Worship and Outreach. Pastor Scott Kigar, began his ministry in January of 1996 as our Youth Pastor. In July of 2001 it was determined that our staff should be expanded and in September of 2001 Pastor Scott was appointed to his present position of Christian Education and Discipleship. Pastor Mark Thompson was called to assume the leadership of our Student Ministries in August of 2002 that fill our 4th Pastoral position.

Pastor Townsend became our Senior Pastor in September 1991 after serving as Sr. Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Sandusky, Ohio. He received his BA degree from Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa and has an MA degree from Faith Baptist Theological Seminary in Theological Studies and an MRE degree from Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary in Pastoral Studies. Pastor and his wife Connie have three children; Jill (Jamie) Fox a graduate of Cedarville College, currently a full-time mom to sons J.C. and Jonas, Jennifer (Adam) DeJans, a graduate of Faith Baptist Bible College who is employed in the Rochester area and our son Joshua who graduated from Cedarville University, and now works for Telesource, a voice and data networks company in Pontiac, Michigan. Pastor enjoys reading and many athletic activities, as well as volunteering in the community. In 2003-2004, he served as the President of the Rochester Rotary Club and has also served as an Ambassador for the Rochester Chamber of Commerce.


Pastor Scott Kigar graduated from Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, PA in 1988 with a B.S. in Bible with a Youth Ministry emphasis. Pastor Scott served in churches in North Carolina and Ohio before coming to First Baptist Church of Rochester as Associate Pastor of Youth and Christian Education in January of 1996. He transitioned into the new position of Christian Education and Discipleship in the Fall of 2001. He has received extensive training through Precept Ministries. He considers it a real privilege to be working with the many dedicated people at FBCR who give of themselves so that every person has the opportunity to grow in Jesus Christ. Pastor Scott and Maggie were married August 9, 1986 and have been serving the Lord together ever since. Maggie partnered with Pastor Scott in the Youth Ministry and has also served in AWANA, Missions, Children's Church and other ministries. They have two energetic terriers; Nikki and Buckeye. Pastor Scott enjoys cooking and sports, and both of the Kigars are avid bird watchers. Mostly, Pastor Scott loves teaching others God's Word and how to study the Bible.


Pastor Laing began his ministry of Music and Outreach at our church in July of 2000. Previously he was the music pastor and music teacher of First Baptist Church and School in Downers Grove, Illinois. He has a B.S. in Music Education from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. Rob taught school music for 18 years. Church music involvement has been a part of his life since childhood. He was ordained in the spring of 2005. Rob and his wife Sharon were married in 1982. Sharon is a private music lesson instructor. They have four children: Rob II, John, Shari and Abby. Rob enjoys listening to various styles of Christian and secular music. He likes to work outside at home and fellowshipping with other believers.


Pastor Mark Thompson is a graduate of Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, Pa. He graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Music and has been working in Student Ministries since that time. In 1992, Mark married Tracie, also a BBC grad (Elementary Ed). Together they desire to see this generation know Christ as personal Savior, grow deeper in their relationship with Christ and share their faith and serve their God. Pastor Mark started with the Student Ministry of First Baptist of Rochester in August of 2002. He also started serving on the Board of Camp Patmos, Kellys Island, Ohio in 2006. Mark enjoys spending time with family (the Thompsons have 3 children who are actively involved in their Rochester Schools), participating in sports, and cheering on the University of Michigan and Detriot Pistons. But most of all, Mark has a passion to see changed lives and enjoys working with students!