FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
120 N. SIXTH STREET
HANNIBAL, MO 63401
CHURCH PHONE: 573-221-2663
FAX: 573-221-2695
Welcome
Come join us, an ambitious yet traditional and conservative congregation in Mark
Twain’s boyhood hometown. The town itself offers a stable population, a viable tourist
industry, cultural opportunity, a four-year university, and a community college. Newly
accepted to ECO, we are excited to remain true to our founding biblical tenets, yet have
the flexibility to follow congregational decisions. Consider where you are being led, then,
consider this field.
What we are looking For
A pastor called to this congregation will be skilled in helping people develop their
spiritual life and build a sense of fellowship among congregation. Additionally, they will
make pastoral calls to hospitals and homes, someone who continues to cultivate a close
devotional relationship with God, encourages people to relate their faith to their daily
lives, is an effective preacher and an effective teacher, and is compassionate and
sensitive to others’ needs.
About Our Church
Our Presbyterian body has worshiped in Hannibal since before the Civil War.
We have been in our present building since 1895.
Our Church Body
Our congregation has an active membership of around 130 with an average of 115
attending our Sunday morning services. We have a Wednesday evening
program (September through May) that begins with a fellowship meal followed by a
pastor lead adult Bible study, youth group, children’s Bible/music classes, Alpha for
those seeking to know Christ, and Adult choir. This service averages a total of 65
weekly. We are blessed to have a full time youth director and administrative assistant
and part time music director/organist, nursery attendant, and custodian for an
experienced pastor to work with as head of staff.
Our Mission Statement
The Mission Statement of our church as stated on our bulletin and weekly
newsletter, The Presbyterian Bridge: “We are a Church that is Committed to
Fulfilling the Great Commission and Obeying the Great Commandment.”
Please see:
• Our website at www.fpchannibal.org
• Our Basic Beliefs www.fpchannibal.org/Church.html
Our Church Narrative on the Health and Mission of the Church
1. How has the Holy Spirit been evident in your congregation in the past year -through conversions, growth in the Fruit of the Spirit, or other transformational
experiences that make disciples of Jesus Christ?
The working of the Holy Spirit has been most evident in the perseverance of this
congregation through a series of difficult and stressful events. In the last 2-3
years, we have had to ask a pastor to leave, find good pulpit supply, leave
PCUSA, and search for a new denominational home. Now we will seek the Holy
Spirit’s guidance as we search for a permanent pastor. Through it all, many have
stepped up and taken responsibility like never before.
2. How has your congregation extended itself beyond its bounds through the
establishment of new communities of worship and discipleship, expanding the
Kingdom of God?
We have made a concerted effort to reach out into our neighborhood, community,
and other churches through a variety of events. This even includes churches of
other denominations by having meals and studies, ice cream socials, fish fry gettogethers, VBS, etc. We are constantly searching for new ways to “extend”
ourselves in an area our church has long neglected.
3. In what ways is your congregation seeking the welfare of the community to which
you have been called --- devoting itself to the poor, seeking justice, and living out
the whole of the Great Commission?
This has probably been our greatest focus in the “start-up” of our intentional
involvement in our community and region. We feel that if we do not look close to
home first, we cannot be effective anywhere. Our involvements include:
financial support of Christian Sober Living, Avenues (abused women), Shiloh
Children’s Ranch, food pantries, Kids in Motion (youth), Douglass Community
Services, Care Net (unmet needs), Alpha (spiritual development), and hopefully
more as we seek and grow this ministry.
4. How are you encouraging people to allow God’s Word to shape their priorities
and actions, and to nurture constant learning and the life of the mind?
First and foremost is to ensure that God’s Word is preached from our pulpit every
Sunday. Beyond this, we attempt to provide education and fellowship for all.
Examples are Sunday School, youth group, Wednesday night programs for all
ages, two women’s study groups, men’s prayer/study breakfast, Alpha (spiritual
development) offered twice a year, and Moms In Prayer during the school year.
5. How are you helping children and others new to the Christian faith to discover
Jesus and grow in their understanding and love of God’s Word?
Discovery of and growth of faith is met in multiple ways for all ages. Sunday
School is offered from youngest to oldest and is the primary way to reach adults
along with making daily devotionals and occasional new member discovery
classes available. Children are nurtured additionally through Prayz Kids and
Bible studies in our Wednesday night program, VBS in the summer, and
confirmation classes annually.
6. Describe the moral expression in your congregation – are you more like the world
or more like participants in the values of the Kingdom of God?
The overwhelming vote deciding to leave PCUSA and move to ECO is indicative
of where the majority of our congregation believes. We are a Bible-believing,
praying body that trusts in God to lead us in our mission as His church while
functioning in the world. However, we are an eclectic congregation, and there
are expressions of belief that are more in line with the world.
7. How is your congregation intentionally unleashing the ministries of women, men,
and people of different ethnic groups who are experiencing God’s call?
We are open to ministry from all and to all. Gender, ethnicity, race, and
persuasion are not limited though we do maintain ethical and moral standards as
given in scripture. “All” are encouraged to pursue God’s call into whatever
ministry they feel led.
8. How is the idea of ministry as the joy and calling of every disciple evident in your
congregation? How are you equipping people to represent Jesus more
effectively in their respective professions?
There is a strong core group of believers that consider the joy of their faith
something to be shared daily. This group, led by a strong Session, considers it
important to show evidence of our calling in our daily activities. Annually we ask
for each member to express his/her interest in our ministries and work by filling
out Time and Talent sheets.
9. Illustrate the commitment of your congregation to global evangelism and
discipleship, including examples of where you are engaging and with whom you
are partnering.
This is an area in which we seek to improve. We are in the process of rebuilding
our missions budget and have been working to hear from various missions
projects and missionaries. Currently we are supporting Operation Christmas
Child, Cornerstone in Honduras, Dr. Clement in India, Mohammad Yamout in
Lebanon, the Russells in Africa, the Harleas in Romania, Wild Hope International,
and Gideons International.
10. How does your congregation understand commitment to the larger church
through our connectional relationships within the Body of Christ?
We are committed to having a sound and strong connectional relationship within
our denomination and the community of faith in which we live. We look forward
to the relationship developing with ECO to fit with the involvements we have in
our community. We have especially partnered with two local congregations for
educational, fellowship, and evangelical events. We participate in the Journey of
the Cross each Good Friday along with seven (7) other churches in our
downtown area. Our youth minister meets with other youth leaders and is a
hospital chaplain, and we work with other churches in missions projects.
Additionally, we are looking forward to participating in our Mission Affinity Group.
Salary and other Essentials
Minimum effective package at $78,000.00. This includes a base salary, housing
allowance, ECO Health and Retirement benefits consisting of OAP #3 Silver Plan,
reimbursement for use of personal automobile and telephone, as well as four weeks of
vacation and two weeks study time, which will be discussed at a later date.
If you, after much prayer, feel that God is calling you to First Presbyterian
Church of Hannibal, we would love to hear from you! Please use this following email or
call our contact person.
[email protected]
Donald M. Bastian
(573) 221-7099
Ruling Elder