Updated May 26, 2008 (First published July 5, 2000) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) –

We receive many requests from people seeking our help in finding a good church for themselves or for their friends and relatives, so in early 1998 I decided to build a directory of fundamental Baptist churches at the Way of Life web site. Though it has not been easy to decide which churches to list and how to rate them (a problem we have resolved only very imperfectly), the Lord has richly blessed this effort. In 1999, our friend Larry Walther, a member of the Fundamental Baptist Church in Escondido, California, graciously took on the job of maintaining the directory for me. In late 2004, the job of overseeing the directory was assumed by our friend and co-laborer Brian Snider of Huntsville, Alabama.

To our knowledge, this is the largest directory of fundamental Baptist churches on the Internet, and it is aggressively maintained, but only AS PEOPLE SEND US INFORMATION AND UPDATES. Since it is impossible for us to visit most of the churches listed at the directory, we are largely dependent upon the feedback of friends.

We have heard from many people who have found good churches, as well as from many pastors who have gained members. As I travel on preaching trips, I often meet people who use the directory. 

OUR NEW QUESTIONNAIRE

Some people assume that we only list churches with which we are personally familiar, but that is not the case. We are dependent upon submissions from friends in the Lord. The churches that have a double asterisk (**) are the only churches on the directory that we personally recommend and have personal knowledge of. The churches with a single asterisk (*) are churches that have filled out our Questionnaire and that appear to be likeminded with our stand.

We devised the Questionnaire after Brother Snider took over the directory, and we now require all churches to fill it out before we give the single asterisk (*). Last year we went through the directory and removed all asterisk from churches that have not filled out the Questionnaire. 

Please take a few minutes to look at the directory at the Way of Life web site, and if you know of good fundamental Baptist churches that are likeminded with us but that are not already listed, ask a church officer to fill out our Questionnaire so that we can consider adding it to the list. The Questionnaire is available at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/churchdir/Questionnaire.html.

Following are a few of the testimonies we have received about the directory:

“Bro. Cloud, The purpose of this email is simple and straightforward -- THANK YOU for the list of Baptist churches you supply via the net. Our church, Old Landmark Baptist Church, in Greenfield, Indiana, is listed and we have received email and phone calls as a result of your listing our name. That itself has been a blessing, but the true benefit of your list has been the opportunity to find churches for family and friends. I have used your list more than one dozen times to locate churches across America for those who have moved or have vacationed in areas that we were not familiar. If I could share just a couple of great stories. Lori is a girl from Colorado, my wife and I met her online about 3 years ago. She was a 13 year old Baptist girl, some neighbors had taken her to church and she had gotten saved. She was truly serving the Lord in spite of the fact that her family life was a complete disaster. Her mother had disowned her, her dad was living with a woman and they would mock her because she wore dresses and would not drink liquor or smoke with them and her younger sister. We met her in a Christian chat room on AOL and she came and spent the summer with us. She has spent two summers with us now, and is on her way to visit us right now to go to Bro Duane Rutherford's campmeeting, Fresh Oil Campmeeting, in Oregon, OH. Last year when she returned home, her dad announced they were moving to the south side of Denver. It was too far away for her to get to the church she was attending -- so I went to your list. I called a church on your list that did not have the * or ** rating, talked with the pastor and encouraged Lori to attend the church. It turned out to be a full-fledged “easy believism” church though the pastor on the phone assured me they were not. Needless to say, I went back to your list and found one near Lori's new home that had the *. I called this pastor and had a wonderful conversation with him. Lori is a member there now and is happier than she's ever been. The church has a burden for her and they care for her. Without your list, we would not have been able to find her a church.”

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“I still have a secular job, and I pastor full-time. In my secular business I do a lot of traveling. I have used your list extensively for my own personal use when I'm out of town and in an unfamiliar area. I only visit * or ** churches and I have written you with requests to remove the * when it turns out they are not meeting the standard that I've come to expect from those you list with the *. I've used your list to locate churches for myself in OH, PA, NY, MA, FL and have used it to help family and friends find churches in MI, MO, MT, CO, TN, KY, IL and IN. May the Lord continue to bless this great ministry of helping those in need find a good church.”

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“Yes, Brother Cloud, we found our current church through your church directory. We are now members and happily attending ---------------. As you know, we were having more and more trouble from the SBC church in our town and couldn't find a church we liked in the local area. We have to drive 50 minutes to --------, but we love it. The music is just right. I almost cried the first few times we visited there, because I was beginning to think that everyone had gone to the contemporary, like-the-nightclubs, entertainment style music. ----------, on the other hand, has the right kind of music, and the pastor, who has an earned Ph.D., is a King James Bible preacher. We are very happy at this new church. Thank you very much for doing the directory; it has been extremely rewarding to us! Keep up the good work!”

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“Just a small note to say THANKS for the work you are doing by listing the churches on the internet!!!!!!!!!!!! Being an over the road truck driver who was raised in Independent Baptist Churches, your listings are a VERY BIG HELP for me. I use them as a starting point to find a church while out on the road. I downloaded 48 states worth of information that I carry with me in the truck and when I find a church I try to show them how I found it over the Internet and your web site. This comes as a real surprise to most pastors. So far I have used it in WA , GA, CA, FL, TN, OR, KY, MS, and some others, I am sure. Again, I truly say THANKS for your work for it helps keep me in church while out on the road. PS. When I take my zippered notebook that holds all the church listings into a truck stop, I get asked what that is and I tell them 'It's my getting right book.' Have a Great Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

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“We recently arrived home from a 10 day vacation trip through the midwest and south. We used your online directory to find good churches to attend while on our trip. I have to say thank you. I wouldn't have a clue which churches were good fundamental, bible-believing churches without this help. We attended one in Sandusky, Ohio, that had a two star rating in your list, and all I can say is that it sure deserved both stars. I praise God for Lighthouse Baptist and Pastor Richard Mick. We sure felt at home there. The fellowship was great, and the extra time they spent with us, taking us into their homes and feeding us, was nothing short of fantastic. In Thurmont, Maryland, your listing also led us to a great little congregation on Wednesday night, Pioneer Baptist. Again, thanks for helping us to be able to hear the wonderful word of God from the right source while far from home.” Allen D. Hanson, Medway, Maine, July 3, 2000

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“We found Victory Baptist [Panama City, Florida] through your web site, for which we are truly grateful. The Pastor there, Larry Beach is one of the most humble and loving servants of God I've ever met. He is not afraid to preach the truth in love, and yet he doesn't come across as having a bad attitude as I have seen in some who consider themselves fundamentalists. We left a Southern Baptist church because the Pastor there denies that the Southern Baptist Convention is involved in the ecumenical movement. Your work and dedication are much appreciated. I have lost more than a few 'cyber friends' due to my association with and recommendation of your extensive discernment ministry, but I see this as being a good sign. Blessings to you in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Anne Hamon and Family, September 15, 2000

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“We have had several people visit our church who found it under your listing.” (Pastor Glenn Harms, Foothills Baptist Church, Loveland, CO, Nov. 17, 2000)

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“First I want to start by saying that everything that is said and done here is for the Glory of our Lord and Savior. I am familiar with the Way of Life Church Directory. I have used the directory many times to help people find good Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches. My Brother and his wife are in the Air Force. My Brother was gone overseas for 3 months and his wife was visiting us for the Christmas Holidays. She received a call from some relatives that her mother was deathly taken with cancer, so she flew to see her mother and after talking with her she was worried for her soul. She contacted me to find some pastors that could go talk to her. So I went to the Church directory on the Internet and found the three churches in that town. I then let my pastor call the pastors of each church as I felt it would be received better from him. To the Glory of God Pastor Joey Watt of El Vista Baptist Church was able to go see her and lead her to the Lord. AMEN . I just want to thank you so much for the Church Directory. And I want to that you Pastor Watt for meeting the need, and being instant in season and out of season. May God bless you for your Service to him and may his Mercy and Grace be on us all.” January 1, 2001

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“Please add my church to your directory. This is a wonderful directory that I am sharing with Military families worldwide to help those moving find a Bible Believing (Missionary supporting) Fundamental Baptist church.” Pastor Duane Johnson, First Baptist Church, Yuba City, California. May 12, 2001).

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“First, allow me to thank you for your ministry to me.  Miss --------- located the Harbour Light Baptist Church on the internet and has now affiliated herself with us.  She is Hungarian and has lived in the US for 10 years.  Ours is the first church she has attended and she will be baptized August 1, 2001.  Thank you for being used of our Lord to add to the Harbour Light Baptist Church. Also, I was traveling through northern Pennsylvania this month and needed to find a church for Wednesday evening.  Your list of churches revealed one in Tioga that I had never heard of.  Janet and I were able to attend services on June 13th.  Thank you for this help” (Pastor Jerry Matson, Norfolk, Virginia, June 28, 2001).

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“Praise the Lord, I received an email from an individual the other day interested in our church. They had had enough with other ‘Fundamental’ churches. Ecumenism is the problem. Well, they found us on your site and wrote.” (Pastor Jeff Feil, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Quincey, Illinois, July 18, 2001).

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“Thanks for having the church directory you have are your web site. Our youngest daughter is in the U.S. Navy and I have used it to find churches near the ports she visits. It is a great encouragement to her to be able to fellowship with Christians of a kindred spirit. She recently visited a church in Maine that we located in the church directory. Thanks again, it is an encouragement to me to know she is able to attend Biblical sound Baptist Churches as she service our country” (Daniel Shoemaker, May 18, 2002).

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“Thanks for your directory. I continue to use it whenever I travel on business or vacation. On a recent business trip to Colorado Springs, I used your church directory to find a good church” (Brother Tim Geist, May 10, 2003).

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“We have also recently had a lady and her children visiting us due to your website. Thank you for your help in the ministry here in California” (Pastor Phil Clark, West Coast Baptist Church, Vista, California, July 11, 2003).

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“My wife and I found our church (Heritage Baptist Church in Frankfort, IL) through the listing on your website. Since then I and my children have been saved. I appreciate your ministry” (David Vancina, September 15, 2003).

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“I have been meaning to write you and thank you for your list of good churches across America. I refer to it any time I go out of town to see what churches will be in the area I am going. Also I referred to the list when I took my mama to church the week after her husband died. The Lord had been working on her, and the pastor’s wife led her to the Lord during the invitation. So you have my eternal gratitude for compiling that list” (Steven Lee, October 16, 2003).

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“I appreciate your ministry for the Lord very much. We have a couple who have begun to attend our church, and have actually joined as members. They viewed your website and saw our church, thus you were instrumental in sending this fine couple to us” (Pastor John Rink, Southampton, PA).

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“Thanks for the CHURCH DIRECTORY. A family visited us last night and testified it was due to your directory. This directory has been of help to me in helping OTHERS find a church in their travels or in re-location” (Pastor Clayton Doss, Bible Baptist Church, Crookston, MN, July 15, 2004).

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“Not sure if I have written to you before but I wanted to say thank you for the IFBC listing.  I use it constantly to direct others to real churches that preach God’s Word. It is a great source. Again, thank you.” (October 2004)

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“I am writing to say thank you. I don't know why I did not email sooner. Whilst browsing your excellent website about 18 months ago I came across a church in your directory that was near to me (Bethany Baptist Church, Pontypridd, South Wales). I was an Anglican until then and had always been. Every Sunday I (for some unknown reason) plodded along through each service getting absolutely nowhere with its wishy washy theology and its rituals (indeed, some quite catholic rituals). It was entirely just a duty or a chore to go every Sunday (although I did not dislike it). After reflecting on all of the fuss and news coverage of the homosexuality in the church and the new archbishop etc. I came to realise just how ridiculously false and heretical the Anglican church, in general, is. I sent an email to the aforementioned church and started attending there. Even on my first visit to a meeting I was left awestruck by the power of the preaching and immediately recognized the church as Godly. What’s more is that I came to realize I was not saved. But praise the Lord, I am now. I am growing in faith and in the knowledge of the Holy Bible (Authorised KJ only at this church) and of our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So I just want to say thank you for your work and your website, through which the Lord led me to Himself. Without which, I may not have been redeemed. May God richly bless your work.” (January 7, 2005)

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“I thank you for posting the links [for the church directory]. I have emailed before, but I took my mom 2 years ago to New Life Baptist Church because I found it on your list. She got saved on her first visit. She is now there every time the doors are open. She is the happiest I have ever seen her.  Only in eternity will you know how many of us you have helped by posting these listings!” (January 18, 2005)

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“We just wanted to say ‘Thank you’ for the online church directory. We recently took our first vacation in several years and were anxious about where to go to church, as we would be traveling through several states. We were able to utilize the online church database to find three churches (one for each state we would be in) to visit. Each one had good, old-fashioned, Bible-preaching. We felt right at home, which is not easy for us. Anyway, we were glad to be back at our home church (Madison Baptist Church in Alabama), but we know that the next time we travel, we have an invaluable resource available to make our ‘on the road church trips’ as close to home as possible.” (May 2005)

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“You will be amazed when you get here about all the families at the church that found us through ties to your website.” (Pastor Ken Shaver, Greater Cumberland Baptist Church, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, July 22, 2005).

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“I trust that all is well with you and the ministry there. I received a phone call from an Australian man who recently moved to Fiji and was looking for a Baptist church to attend.  He found us on your church directory on the web, called me, and I was able to direct him to a good church on the other side of our island.” (Pastor Ryan Gray, missionary to Fiji, January 31, 2006)

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“I only wanted to say, THANK YOU. I was saved in 1980 at age 35, baptized in a Baptist Church, and after 25 years walked away after a difficult 20 minute lecture I gave the church body about why not to vote for the new pastor the elder board presented to us. The new candidate was a five point Calvinist and a great follower of Rick Warren. When I spoke to people about the dangers of Rick Warren, I was shot down. So began the looking for another church. I think I finally found one through you web site. Been searching for about 6 months. Anyway, thank you for your articles.” (March 20, 2006)

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“Just wanted to thank you for your on-line church directory, and let you know of our experience.  We relocated to Metro Atlanta two years ago, and consulted your directory for a Fundamental Baptist church in the area.  We found Fellowship Baptist on Bethelview Road in Cumming listed, and have been members since we moved here. We feel incredibly blessed to be part of such a doctrinally sound and Christ-honoring church. It was apparent after our first telephone conversation with the pastor that this was the kind of church we were seeking.” (August 9, 2006)

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“As a result of using your church list, we were able to refer a backslidden sister of one of our members that lives in Mississippi to a good fundamental church. She went to church with her unsaved husband and he got saved and she got right with the Lord! This was about 3 months ago. They are both attending faithfully!  Once again, thank you for your ministry.”

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“Thanks to the church directory on your website, I have been blessed to find a small IFB church about an hour's drive from my home -- one that appears to be spiritually healthy. As you mentioned, it is worth the drive. Thank you for your faithfulness to help the Lord's people.” (November 10, 2006)

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“As a result of using your church list, we were able to refer a backslidden sister of one of our members that lives in Mississippi to a good fundamental church. She went to church with her unsaved husband and he got saved and she got right with the Lord! This was about 3 months ago. They are both attending faithfully!  Once again, thank you for your ministry.”

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Way of Life Literature's Directory of Fundamental Baptist Churches is located at the following web site -- http://www.wayoflife.org/

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