The Ministries of EBC
Matthew 28:18-20, the Great Commission, details the purpose for Emmanuel Baptist Church. All ministries of this New Testament church have as their goal the fulfilling of the Great Commission. Each member of the church is encouraged to participate in one or several of these ministries in keeping with the spiritual gift that God the Holy Spirit has bestowed on him or her at salvation (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12). The goal of the pastor and his staff is to minister in such a way that the saints are “perfected” or matured so that they might do “the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Listed below are the major ministries of the church with a brief description of that ministry. The date following the title of the ministry indicates the year that particular ministry began at Emmanuel.
Bookstore – 1975
The church operates a small bookstore in the church office for the sale of Bibles, musical CD’s, Christian greeting cards, study aids, and some Christian books. The bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bus Ministry – 1973
A van is used on Sunday morning to pick up children and adults who need transportation to Sunday school and the morning service. This ministry currently reaches out to children and teenagers in Newington and New Britain.
Deaf Ministry – 1974
A weekly Sunday school class is taught for our deaf members and visitors. This class is taught through the medium of sign language (ASL). Skilled interpreters interpret all services of the church, including banquets, special programs, etc. for the deaf.
Emmanuel Baptist Theological Seminary – 2000
Emmanuel Baptist Theological Seminary (EBTS) was founded for the purpose of offering graduate level theological study for serious students interested in preparing for the ministry of the Word of God as pastors, church planters, missionaries, evangelists, youth pastors, or Bible teachers. Emphasis is placed on the balance between effective Bible exposition and active Christian service. Members are encouraged to enroll as students. Classes may be audited by those who want to gain the instruction, but have no desire to work towards a degree.
Emmanuel Baptist Publications – 2006
Emmanuel Baptist Publications (EBP) is a ministry of the church to the individual Christian. EBP publishes high quality, scholarly, conservative books and study materials that are designed to provide an independent Baptist perspective to the reader.
Emmanuel Christian Academy – 1975
Emmanuel Christian Academy (ECA) serves K-4 Kindergarten through Grade 12. It is a full program of academic and extra-curricular training. ECA is a member of the Connecticut Association of Christian Schools (CACS) and the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS). It meets and exceeds the minimum requirements for a high school diploma required by the state of Connecticut. The Academy is working with AACS toward accreditation.
Firm Foundations Discipleship Ministry – 2004
Using a very helpful curriculum titled Christian Mentoring from A to Z, we have sought to provide a systematic way for hungry believers to learn important Bible teaching. The goal of this instruction is to prepare believers to “teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). This instruction is available in a Sunday School class or can be arranged to be given in a one-on-one setting.
Greeters – 1996
Greeters are friendly men and women who stand at the various entryways on Sunday morning and Sunday evening to greet visitors. They assist in making these guests feel at home, in locating the nursery or special classes, or in pointing them in the direction of any needed person or facility.
Junior Church – 1948
During the morning service, our children from Kindergarten through the Fourth Grade meet in the fellowship hall for junior church. It is a time of singing, Bible stories, and Bible games that is on the level of the children. In addition to this service, the three- and four-year-olds have a separate junior church in a classroom off of the Fellowship Hall.
Lady Ambassadors
This is an evangelistic ministry of the ladies of Emmanuel. One of the main efforts of this group is to welcome newly arrived residents to Newington. A welcome gift along with an invitation to the services of Emmanuel is given to each new resident of Newington.
Ladies’ Seminar – 1981
In February of each year, the ladies of our church sponsor a special seminar just for ladies throughout New England. Nationally known ladies come to speak at this outstanding event. The entire church is decorated in keeping with the theme of the seminar, which is attended by several hundred ladies.
Master Clubs – 2002
This is a program held on Wednesday evening from 6:45 to 8:20 p.m. It is for boys and girls from three-years-old through the Sixth Grade. The children have the opportunity to earn rewards for specific achievement in the program. Master Clubs is an intensive program that involves Bible memorization, organized games, and a Bible challenge.
Missions – 1916
Over the past eighty years, millions of dollars have been sent to the mission field by this church, and some of our own people have gone as missionaries, too. We host an annual Missionary Conference where the cause of missions and the ministries of specific missionaries are promoted. Our church supports its missionaries in several ways: with financial support given through offerings, with prayer support encouraged by the regular prayer letters received, and with assistance of annual mission trips where the members of this church travel to the mission field with the goal of assisting the missionary and learning about what God is doing in that particular mission field.
The flags in the auditorium each represent a country where we have a missionary serving.
Music Ministry – 1916
The music ministry is a vital part of every local church ministry. Such is the case here at Emmanuel. The adult choir sings in both the Sunday morning and Sunday evening services. Practice is held for this choir on Sunday evenings before church. The church orchestra (1991) plays for both services on Sunday. This ministry is open to all members who are fluent enough to play hymns and gospel songs. In most instances, this ministry involves playing along with the church organist and pianist during congregational singing. Special music is presented regularly in nearly all the public services. This is made up of solos, duets, trios, quartets, small ensembles, and instrumental groups. Two pianists play for all public services to accompany the congregational singing and for special music. The handbell choir plays periodically for church services.
Nursery – 1916
A well-equipped, well-staffed nursery is available for all public services of the church. The nursery is available for infants and toddlers through three years of age. The church nursery is located just off the main lobby and well within distance of the mothers who leave their children in our excellent care. Parents are given the option of carrying an electronic pager so that they may be summoned to the nursery by a worker to care for their children in the case of a special need. The nursery provides a tremendous service for parents.
Nursing Home Ministry – 2000
This ministry began as a way for seminarians and their families to serve the Lord and give the seminarians an outlet for preaching. God has blessed through the years and this weekly Sunday afternoon ministry has seen souls saved. This ministry is open to any church member who would like to serve the Lord, whether or not you are a student in the seminary.
Personal Workers – 1916
At the conclusion of most of our church services, a public invitation is extended, giving people the opportunity to make a spiritual decision because of the sermon preached. Personal workers are men and women trained to use the Bible to help people with those decisions, especially with regard to a decision to receive Christ. Personal workers are trained, not only in the area of biblical counsel, but also in the invitation procedures and in the record keeping of those decisions made publicly during the invitation time.
Quest – 2006
Since 1975, our church has sought to minister to college students in various ways. In 2006, we launched a fresh approach to this ministry that we call Quest. Quest is a ministry of Emmanuel Baptist Church to college students, singles, and young married couples in the Greater Hartford area. This ministry has its own Sunday School class that meets in the choir room at 9:30 am each Sunday. Furthermore, the Quest group gathers for Bible study and fellowship each Monday night at the Pastor’s home. Occasional activities provide another opportunity for fellowship and fun.
Recording Ministry – 1974
The special music and the sermons of all the public services of the church are recorded. These recordings are available for a nominal cost and are ready within a week. These can be ordered at the Welcome Center or in the church office. Recorded sermons are also available for download from our church’s website.
Safe Harbor – 2005
The purpose of the Safe Harbor program is to ensure that the children and teenagers who are enrolled in our various ministries are kept safe and carefully monitored. Anyone working with children under the age of 18 in any aspect of our ministry is required to be enrolled in our Safe Harbor program which includes written and oral interviews, a background check, and adherence to safety policies as outlined in the Safe Harbor Manual.
Senior Servants – 2006
In 2006, Emmanuel Baptist Church reinstituted a ministry aimed at the grandparents of our church called the Senior Servants. The goal of this ministry is to gather the senior saints for a time of fellowship and Bible instruction, not to mention, a nice meal.
Shut-in Ministry – 1980
The Shut-in Ministry allows members of Emmanuel Baptist Church to stay current with the events of the church in spite of the fact that they are physically incapable of attending services. Several ladies in our congregation regularly visit shut-ins, both to encourage them and to keep the church body current with prayer requests. This important ministry allows the church body as a whole to remain connected to one another, regardless of health issues, and is a vital link between all of the members of the church.
Sunday School – 1916
On every Lord’s Day, Bible classes are taught for every age from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. We endeavor to teach with a balanced blend of sound Bible doctrine and practical training. These classes are taught by dedicated church members including the pastoral staff of our church.
Tracts
Tracts are great tools for evangelism. We seek to keep a supply of Gospel tracts on hand and available on the display that is located next to the Welcome Center. This literature is free.
Ushers – 1916
The ushers are men of our church who assist the pastor and the congregation as a whole. They seat visitors and members, receive the offering, pass out visitor cards and other literature, assist the nursery staff in locating mothers, help maintain order with children who are unattended by an adult, and a host of other important items.
Visitation
Our “Jerusalem” must hear the Gospel, and we desire to be more faithful at this important task. Our visitation ministry seeks to canvass the town of Newington and some of the surrounding towns with Gospel tracts and a friendly invitation to attend our church services. When there is an open door, we will present the Gospel to those who are willing to listen. We provide training on how to present the Gospel.
Women of Honor – 2007
This ladies’ fellowship meets on a regular basis in our church fellowship hall on a weeknight. This ministry provides a place for our ladies to gather together for a time of Bible instruction prepared by one of our godly ladies. Discussion time and prayer time are regular facets of this special meeting, as well.
Youth Ministry – 1948
The teenagers of this church are important to all of us. A full-time youth pastor oversees the entire youth program. Monthly activities include the weekly visitation program, a weekly separate service on Sunday night, social events once or twice a month, a vibrant Sunday School ministry, an annual camp trip (Wilds, Bill Rice Ranch), an annual visit to various Christian colleges, and an annual missions trip (Mexico, Canada, and so on). The centerpiece of the youth ministry is Bible preaching. Teens are taught to serve and not simply to be served.
