First Baptist Church of Sterling Virginia

The vision, mission and goal THE Lord has given Bishop Leslie Patterson, Jr and Co-Pastor Dr. Francene V. Patterson for the First Baptist Church is to preach, practice and produce the gospel to the spiritually and economically poor; the brokenhearted; to those who are in spiritual, emotional, physical and financial captivity; to give sight to the spiritually blind; and those who have been emotionally wounded and bruised by life's battles. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed. Luke 4:18 This ministry seeks to provide food for the hungry, drink to those who are thirsty, housing for the stranger, clothing for the naked, and give visitation to the sick and imprisoned. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Matthew 25:35-36 As Jesus reached out to those who were in despair and destitute, it is our Mission to reach out to the drug addict, homeless, hungry, unwed parents, rejected, and those who have lost hope in life. Proclaiming that with God First, all of life's ills can be healed.

Mission: During the 16 years that Bishop Leslie Patterson, Jr. and Co-Pastor Dr. Francene V. Patterson have been with First Baptist Church of Sterling, they have dedicated themselves and have worked very diligently towards the vision that God gave them for this ministry. Both Leslie Patterson, Jr. and Co-Pastor Dr. Francene V. Patterson both have a "no nonsense, make it happen" attitude. By the accomplishments that God has given, it is evident that Bishop Leslie Patterson, Jr. and Co-Pastor Dr. Francene V. Patterson truly believe that all things are possible through Christ Jesus. Under the leadership of this dynamic partnership, there have been numerous achievements. Dying souls have been saved and the lost have been found, as evident by the growing membership of over 1300 members. In April 2001, First Baptist broke ground for a new church edifice. In July 2002, Pastor Leslie Patterson was appointed to the office of Bishop, thereby, expanding First Baptist to a worldwide ministry. In October 2003, the new church edifice was completed and the start of "New Beginnings" commenced.