First Baptist Church of Jonesboro (FBCJ) turns 200 this year—marking two centuries of growth from 14 people gathering on three acres of piney woods near what would later become Tara Boulevard to its present location in downtown Jonesboro, where the Worship Hall now seats thousands.
“I know the church has a storied history,” said Jackie Brannen, a member of FBCJ for more than three decades, “but the different people we’ve met here—that’s the history that matters to me.”
Brannen spent the first 22 years of his life attending the Church of Christ, which was located at the end of a shopping center. That changed when he met Billie, a lifelong member of First Baptist—and the woman who would later become his wife. While dating, the couple alternated between Jackie’s small church and Billie’s much larger congregation.
“One Sunday at my church, an elder sidled up to me and said, ‘You know you can’t trust those Baptists,’” Brannen recalled. “I left that church and never looked back.”
A Church Forged by Fire—and Persistence
Established in the winter of 1825 as Flint River Baptist Church, FBCJ quickly became a gathering place for those seeking fellowship on a shared spiritual journey. Within its first three years, membership grew from 14 to 79 parishioners.
Growth did not come without hardship. Over its two-century history, the church burned down four times—each fire followed by rebuilding rather than retreat.
The first blaze occurred in 1850, destroying the original 1840 structure. Nine years later, the congregation rebuilt on newly purchased property in Leaksville, the original name of Jonesboro, meeting temporarily at the local Methodist church.
During the Civil War Battle of Jonesboro in 1864, the church was again destroyed—likely by cannon fire. A few years later, as the congregation rebuilt once more, it adopted a new name: Jonesboro Baptist Church.
That building stood for nearly 25 years before being struck by lightning during a violent windstorm in 1892, burning it to the ground yet again.
Undeterred, the congregation rebuilt a new sanctuary capable of seating 500 worshippers. Despite its size and influence, the church did not hire a full-time pastor until 1920, when Reverend Herbert Massey arrived. His tenure lasted only two years before—once again—the facilities were lost to fire.
Community Effort and Shared Sacrifice
Rebuilding funds came from within. Women sold cakes and candies. Men donated materials and provided the labor. During the Great Depression, members gave up one meal per week and donated its cost to purchase the church’s first electric organ. A church library was established during the same period. This hands-on ethic continues today.
FBCJ operates numerous community programs, including food distribution, a clothing ministry, and a free medical clinic. During the pandemic year of 2023, the church collected and distributed 12,000 weekend meals to homeless children in Clayton County. More recently, Operation Christmas Child provided 2,150 shoeboxes to children in need.
The James Gang—a group of FBCJ men—travels throughout Clayton County building wheelchair ramps and assisting with home projects. The church also sponsors mission trips across the United States and internationally, helping build churches in Calgary, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Juana Díaz in Puerto Rico, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
For more than 25 years, FBCJ has maintained a presence in Cuba through special agreements with both U.S. and Cuban authorities, planting churches in Santiago de Cuba and Matanzas. In Haiti, the church operates a school serving more than 100 students amid ongoing instability. In Ukraine, FBCJ teams have ministered to displaced families while helping establish churches in several regions.
Rebuilding Again—and Moving Forward
When another fire destroyed the church’s oldest building in 2000, members once again chose action over despair. Two years later, the Recreational Outreach Building (ROC) opened—a multi-purpose facility offering everything from ballroom dancing and pickleball to youth basketball and volleyball leagues.
That youth outreach is especially meaningful to Brannen.
“I’ve been working with those young folk for more than 25 years,” he said. “The biggest thing I am is an encourager. I hug ’em. I encourage them. And I’m proud to say I’ve never choked one of them,” he added with a laugh.
Jonesboro Baptist Church officially became First Baptist Church of Jonesboro in 1955. Brannen has witnessed the leadership of three pastors, including the current pastor, Dr. Melvin Blackaby, who joined the church in 2008.
“All three of these men have brought the word of God,” Brannen said.
For those seeking a church that addresses both spiritual growth and practical needs, Brannen believes FBCJ offers a clear path. The church’s guiding motto reflects that mission:
We live to glorify God by making disciples who invest in others and impact the nations.
“But keep looking if you’re trying to find a perfect church,” Brannen said. “Because once you go there, it won’t be perfect anymore.”