First Baptist Church of Norfolk

What First Baptist Church of Norfolk does

First Baptist Church of Norfolk is a non-profit religious organization founded in 1820 and headquartered at 312 Kempsville Road, Norfolk, Virginia, where it serves the Hampton Roads community across all life stages from preschool through senior adults. It operates a multi-site ministry model anchored on three English-language Sunday worship gatherings (9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM) plus a Spanish-language service at 10:30 AM in the Chapel, supported by a cross-geographic Hispanic Ministry (Iglesia Bautista Del Camino) operating from a separate pastoral office at 6330 Newtown Road. Programming extends across age-specific ministries (Preschool, Kids, Students, Young Adults, Senior Adults), a LIFEgroup small-group network meeting on-campus, off-campus, and online across Hampton Roads, two annual overnight summer camps (Kids Camp at Camp Willow Run, NC; Student Camp at Thomas Road Outpost), Vacation Bible School, mentoring ministries (The Harbor for mothers), recovery programming (re:generation), and counseling-support classes (Merge premarital, GriefShare, Financial Peace University).

Its technology stack is built on industry-standard faith-based SaaS rather than proprietary systems: Church Community Builder (CCB) powers the member portal and event registration at firstnorfolk.ccbchurch.com; Pushpay handles online giving and recurring donations; FaithNetwork hosts the website; RightNow Media provides access to over 6,000 Bible-study videos; eChurch Apps delivers the iOS/Android mobile app; and InTouch+ distributes a 24-hour channel on LocalNow, DIRECTV, and U-Verse. Live streaming runs via firstnorfolk.online.church, Facebook Live (with closed captioning), and YouTube. No proprietary software, AI systems, or patents are evident in the source data.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring tithes and offerings (subscription-style donations), supplemented by modest one-time program fees (Kids Camp $315, Student Camp $400, ANCHORED discipleship $30), planned-giving legacy gifts via wills/trusts/retirement plans/life insurance, and small registration/event income. Most ministry programs are free, with scholarships available for camps. Operating geographies are concentrated in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia (Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Virginia Beach), with mission partnerships and short-term mission journeys extending to 10+ countries including Jamaica, Malawi, SE Asia, Spain, Dominican Republic, West Africa, Rwanda, Nepal, and South Sudan. Headcount is in the 51-100 employee range with an active ministry staff across multiple specialty roles.

Name

First Baptist Church of Norfolk

Legal name

First Baptist Church of Norfolk

Website

https://firstnorfolk.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1820

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

First Baptist Church of Norfolk is a 200+ year-old non-profit multi-site church in Norfolk, Virginia, delivering weekly English and Spanish worship services, age-specific ministries from preschool through senior adults, small groups, summer camps, and international missions supported by CCB, Pushpay, RightNow Media, and streaming platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and Worship Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious Organizations (813110)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Religious services
• Church ministries
• Worship services
• Small group ministry
• Community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Norfolk

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Weekly and periodic donations from congregation members during worship services and through online giving platform
2. Program Fees: Registration fees for camps (Kids Camp $315, Student Camp $400), discipleship programs (Anchored $30), and other ministry programs
3. Planned Giving / Legacy Gifts: Endowment gifts, bequests through wills, trust arrangements, retirement plans, and life insurance designated to the church for long-term ministry support

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

First Baptist Church of Norfolk is a nonprofit Baptist church that delivers Sunday worship services in English (three gatherings) and Spanish (one Chapel service), a network of LIFEgroup small groups, age-specific ministries from preschool through senior adults, baptism and membership classes, summer camps, recovery and pre-marital programs, and international mission support. It supplements on-campus ministry with digital engagement through a website, mobile app for iPhone and Android, online giving via Pushpay, sermon archives on YouTube and Vimeo, and 24-hour television streaming via InTouch+/LocalNow/DIRECTV/U-Verse.

Product overview

First Baptist Church of Norfolk is a religious organization offering a portfolio of spiritual formation and community programs. The core offerings center on Sunday worship gatherings in English and Spanish, complemented by LIFEgroups for small-group Bible study and fellowship. The church provides digital engagement through online giving (Pushpay), a mobile app for iOS/Android, and a media center with sermon archives. Age-specific programming includes Kids Camp, Vacation Bible School (VBS), Student Camp, and senior adult ministries. Specialized ministries cover baptism services, the Growth Track membership class, ANCHORED discipleship curriculum, the Harbor parenting ministry, The Well young adult gatherings, re:generation recovery program, and Merge premarital class. The church also operates Hispanic Ministry (Del Camino), food distribution and homeless feeding programs, and international mission journeys. The portfolio includes a RightNow Media partnership for Bible study resources and streaming via LocalNow/InTouch+.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Planned Giving Ministry: A stewardship ministry providing members and friends an opportunity to make legacy and endowment gifts for the future benefit of the church, its outreach ministries and mission work.
• Kids Ministry
• Preschool Ministry
• Student Ministry
• Young Adults Ministry
• Young at Heart
• The Harbor
• Worship Family
• Live the Mission Center

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Gatherings Weekly Sunday worship services held at the main campus (312 Kempsville Road, Norfolk VA) at 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, and 12:00 PM in English and at 10:30 AM in Spanish in the Chapel, with in-person and online attendance for the congregation and visitors.
• LIFEgroups Small-group Bible study and fellowship gatherings meeting on campus, off-campus, online, and in hybrid formats at various times and locations throughout Hampton Roads including Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
• Online Giving Online giving platform powered by Pushpay enabling one-time and recurring donations of tithes and offerings for ministry support (pushpay.com/g/firstnorfolk).
• First Norfolk Mobile App Mobile application for iPhone, iPad, and Android providing access to sermon media, online giving, church calendar, ministry information, and event registration for congregation members and visitors (iTunes id1211372516; Google Play com.echurchapps.firstnorfolk).
• Kids Camp Annual overnight summer camp at Camp Willow Run in Littleton, NC for children completing 3rd-6th grade featuring canoeing, swimming, campfire gatherings, crafts, and Bible teaching, with all-inclusive $315 per child pricing covering transportation, lodging, meals, activities, and t-shirt (scholarships available).
• Vacation Bible School (VBS) Free week-long summer program for children K-5th grade that explores biblical themes through games, crafts, music, and activities; recent and current annual themes include 'Illumination Station', 'Twists and Turns', and 'Breaker Rock Beach'.
• Student Camp Annual overnight summer camp for rising 6th-12th graders held at Thomas Road Outpost (TRO) featuring paddle boarding, swimming, archery, high ropes course, rock climbing, and ziplines, all-inclusive at $400 per student including transportation from First Norfolk, lodging, meals, and camp t-shirt (scholarships available).
• Baptism Services Baptism offered as a public profession of faith during Sunday Worship Gatherings and at the annual Beach Baptism Celebration event for those making a profession of faith; registration via [email protected].
• Growth Track Three-part membership journey covering the church's story, God's plan, and personal involvement, offered on three consecutive Sundays or as intensive Saturday classes for prospective members, those wanting to serve, and those learning about the church's mission.
• Worship Family (Choir & Orchestra) Music ministry program including Sanctuary Choir, Orchestra, Vocal Praise Team, Band Vocal Team, Rhythm Section, and Band Instrumental Team with weekly Wednesday evening rehearsals for worship leaders, vocalists, and instrumentalists.
• Planned Giving Ministry (PGM) Stewardship ministry that allows members and friends to make legacy and endowment gifts through bequests, trust arrangements, retirement plans, and life insurance designations for long-term support of the church, its outreach ministries, and mission work.
• Media Center / Message Archive Online library of sermon series, individual messages, Faith Essentials doctrine teachings, and Ask The Pastor video series available for streaming and download.
• The Harbor Mentoring ministry for mothers of all ages and stages, meeting on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays for intergenerational support and encouragement in parenting.
• The Well Young adult worship gathering meeting on the second Thursday of each month with hangout time and worship at CrossRoads 127.
• ANCHORED Discipleship Comprehensive discipleship program based on the Deep Discipleship curriculum by J.T. English, Jen Wilken, and Kyle Worley, focusing on biblical literacy and Christian formation at $30 per participant including weekly video teachings, journal, three eBooks, childcare, and refreshments.
• Senior Adult Summer Camp Annual three-day summer camp for senior adults featuring speakers, breakout sessions, food, fun, and fellowship as part of the Young at Heart senior ministry.
• re:generation 12-step recovery program helping followers of Jesus overcome destructive thoughts and habits by integrating spiritual disciplines with biblical principles.
• Merge Premarital Class Pre-marital counseling program preparing dating and engaged couples for marriage from a biblical perspective; registration via [email protected].
• Hispanic Ministry (Iglesia Bautista Del Camino) Spanish-language ministry offering a Sunday worship service in the Chapel, children's and youth Bible school, vida groups, and men's and women's ministries, with offices at the Crossroads location at 6330 Newtown Road, Norfolk VA.
• Food Distribution Ministry Monthly drive-through food distribution on the third Saturday providing non-perishable food items to food-insecure families in the Hampton Roads community.
• Luke 3:11 Homeless Ministry Monthly ministry on the first Sunday serving the homeless community with hot breakfast, clothing, toiletries, gift cards, and backpacks.
• Mission Journeys International and domestic short-term mission trips coordinated by the Mission Office supporting church plants and service projects in Jamaica, Malawi, Nepal, Spain, Dominican Republic, Alaska, Rwanda, South Sudan, Montreal, Longmont CO, Valdosta GA, and other locations.
• RightNow Media Partnership Free access for church members and families to over 6,000 Christian Bible study, training, and leadership videos from evangelical leaders through the RightNow Media streaming library.
• InTouch+ 24-Hour Streaming Channel 24-hour streaming channel featuring biblical teaching from trusted ministries, available on LocalNow (channel 1228), DIRECTV (channel 324), and U-Verse (channel 370/1370).

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Church Planting Partners (International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational church planting partnerships supporting new churches worldwide with financial support, leadership training, and mission team deployments. Supports church plants in Rwanda through Great Joy Bible Church, Spain through First Baptist Malaga, Nepal with multiple church plants established.
• Thomas Road Outpost (TRO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian camp facility hosting annual Student Camp for 6th-12th graders with activities including paddle boarding, swimming, fishing, shooting range, high ropes course, rock climbing, and ziplines.
• FaithNetwork, InccoreTechnology or IntegrationWebsite hosting and church management platform provider powering firstnorfolk.org website and church digital infrastructure.
• Child Evangelism FellowshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood News Club program meeting weekly at Lake Taylor School teaching Bible through songs, stories, and games for grades 1st-5th.
• Southern Baptist Disaster ReliefminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SBCV Disaster Relief for serving communities during times of crisis with immediate physical and spiritual needs.
• Send Relief / NAMBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthern Baptist mission agency partner for Serve Tour Lima and broader North American mission initiatives.
• Camp Willow RuncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian camp facility hosting Kids Camp (3rd-6th grade) at Lake Gaston location in Littleton, NC with activities including canoeing, swimming, and overnight boxcar accommodations.
• Sacred Heart Soup KitchenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity service partnership serving food-challenged individuals on 4th Sunday of each month at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
• Josiah and Stephanie Luttrull (Missionaries)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMissionaries in Rwanda providing theological education for pastors and church planters, coordinating training in Kigali, Gesini, and Ruhengeri.
• Pastor Francis / First Baptist MalagaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch planting partner in Spain multiplying congregations through LIFEgroups and established gatherings.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• McLean Bible Church: Large multisite church in the Washington, D.C. metro/Northern Virginia region. Closely comparable peer based on Virginia geography, military-family community overlap, multisite model, and digital streaming infrastructure.
• Bellevue Baptist Church: Historic Southern Baptist megachurch in Memphis, TN. Comparable as a long-established Baptist congregation with broad ministry programming, multiple worship services, and mission-driven operations similar in scale and tradition.
• The Summit Church: Large Southern Baptist multisite church in Durham, NC. Comparable in denominational alignment, multisite model, comprehensive age-stage programming, and LIFEgroup-style small group ministry structure.
• Prestonwood Baptist Church: Large Southern Baptist multisite church in the Dallas–Plano, TX area. Most directly comparable peer: same Southern Baptist affiliation, multisite model, extensive programming for all ages, and large paid staff typical of multi-hundred-member congregations.

Emerging players

• Elevation Church: Large multisite church led by Steven Furtick in the Charlotte, NC area. Comparable in multi-generational programming, streaming infrastructure, and broad demographic reach, though non-denominational.
• North Point Community Church: Large multisite church founded by Andy Stanley in the Atlanta area. Comparable in digital engagement, multisite model, and programming depth, though non-denominational rather than Southern Baptist.

Broad incumbents

• Willow Creek Community Church: Pioneering large multisite church in South Barrington, IL. Comparable as a large congregational church with extensive programming, small-group philosophy, and influence on modern multisite ministry models.
• Gateway Church: Large multisite church in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Comparable in multisite scale, digital media presence, and broad programming across age groups, though considerably larger in attendance.
• Saddleback Church: Large multisite church headquartered in Lake Forest, CA with extensive small-group, missions, and discipleship programming. Comparable in programmatic breadth and church-planting legacy.

Others

• Church Community Builder (Pushpay/Tithely): Church management software and giving platform provider. Relevant as the technology vendor powering First Norfolk's CCB member portal and Pushpay online giving — illustrates the broader SaaS ecosystem serving comparable churches.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/firstnorfolk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/firstbaptistmedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/firstnorfolk
• Instagraminstagram.com/firstnorfolk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Baptist Church of Norfolk