FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES

What FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES does

First Baptist Church of Los Angeles (FBCLA) is a historic American Baptist congregation founded in 1874 and currently operating from a 1927 City Historic-Cultural Monument building at 760 S. Westmoreland Avenue in Los Angeles, California. It functions as a multi-tenant religious and community-services hub, hosting two worshiping congregations, age-segregated ministries (Preschool through Young Adults, plus Women and Men), ecumenical partners (Koinonia Fellowship, Sehil Church), and the Baptist Service Corporation nonprofit subsidiary. Core service lines include weekly Sunday worship at 10:00 AM (in-person plus Facebook Live and YouTube archive), Christian education in English and Spanish, small groups (in-person and via Zoom), and the Hope-Net food pantry, which has served over 2 million persons historically and more than 250,000 in the most recent reporting year.

Revenue is generated entirely through voluntary tithes and offerings, accepted via in-person collection, BreezeChMS-powered online giving, SMS text-to-give (323-214-3094), and mailed checks. All worship services, Bible studies, and community programs are provided free of charge; no formal pricing model exists. The church is currently navigating a leadership transition following the June 2025 retirement of Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Scott T. Arnold after 41 years of ministry, with a pastoral search committee actively engaged.

The operating model is community-led: outreach runs through in-person worship, live streaming, age-specific and identity-affirming ministries, a published sermon library covering series on Hebrews, Acts, Revelation, Psalms, and the Kingdom of God, and a global missions program supporting missionaries in South Africa, Hungary, and Mexico via American Baptist Churches International Ministries. The technology stack is commodity SaaS — BreezeChMS for giving/membership, Facebook Live and YouTube for broadcast, Zoom for virtual small groups, and a SnapPages-hosted website — with no disclosed AI, proprietary platform, or novel technical components.

Name

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES

Legal name

First Baptist Church of Los Angeles

Website

https://fbcofla.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1874

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

First Baptist Church of Los Angeles is a historic 1874 American Baptist congregation in Los Angeles offering weekly worship, Christian education, ecumenical partnerships, and a food pantry serving 250,000+ annually, funded by voluntary tithes and offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Worship and Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAJAA

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

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAJAG

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAJAE

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

Keywords

• Worship services
• Religious education
• Community outreach
• Food assistance
• Small groups

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Voluntary financial contributions from congregation members during weekly worship services, collected in-person during services.
2. Online Giving: Single or recurring donations via debit/credit card through Breezechms online giving portal at https://fbcofla.breezechms.com/give/online
3. Text Giving: Donors can text 323-214-3094 with the word 'Give' to make contributions via text message.
4. Mail-In Gifts: Checks mailed to First Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Attn: Finance, 760 S. Westmoreland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

First Baptist Church of Los Angeles provides weekly Sunday Christian worship services (10:00 AM in the Sanctuary and live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube), Christian education through Sunday School (English and Spanish, children and adults), age-specific ministries (Preschool, Children, Students, Young Adults, Men, Women), small group Bible studies and prayer support, the Hope-Net food pantry serving 250,000+ persons annually, missions support for international missionaries, and pastoral care. All services are offered free of charge, funded by voluntary tithes and offerings.

Product overview

First Baptist Church of Los Angeles is a traditional church organization offering a comprehensive suite of religious and community services centered around weekly worship, Christian education, and community outreach. The church operates primarily through in-person and virtual worship services (Sundays at 10 AM), with digital integration through Facebook and YouTube live streaming. Core programs include Sunday School, Fellowship Circles small groups, youth and children's ministries, women's (Sisters of Faith) and men's ministries, young adults programs, missions support for international missionaries, prayer ministry, and the Hope-Net food pantry serving over 250,000 persons annually. The church also offers online and text-based giving through BreezeChMS and hosts extensive sermon/media libraries. The congregation is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches, founded in 1636.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sisters of Faith: Women's ministry at First Baptist Church of Los Angeles
• Hope-Net Food Pantry
• Good Neighbor Center and Network

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly Sunday worship services held at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary, featuring contemporary praise songs, traditional hymns, and sermons. Services are streamed live on Facebook (@FBCOFLAWC) and archived on YouTube for on-demand viewing.
• Sunday School / Christian Education Christian education programs including Adult Sunday School at 9:00 AM in English (Room 12) and Spanish (Room 10), plus Children's Sunday School using the Rocky Railway curriculum. Includes Vacation Bible School.
• Fellowship Circles Post-worship small group discussions held at 11:15 AM in the Fellowship Hall where attendees share life, reflect on Bible lessons, and engage in life application.
• Small Groups Bible study and prayer support groups that meet throughout the week in different neighborhoods, helping people grow in faith and build community. Available in-person and virtually via Zoom, with sign-up via the website form using ZIP code matching.
• Children's Ministry Sunday School for children using the Rocky Railway curriculum. Children join parents during initial worship before moving to classrooms. Vacation Bible School programs also offered.
• Preschool Ministry Programs for preschool children who meet with elementary children during worship, with children's Sunday School available 9:45 AM to noon.
• Youth/Students Ministry Youth activities for grades 6-12, including snacks, Bible lessons, fun activities in the church gymnasium, and creative projects. Students serve as helpers in children's classes.
• Young Adults Ministry Ministry for young adults offering involvement in music, welcoming people, small groups, and outreach ministries.
• Sisters of Faith (Women's Ministry) Women's ministry providing support, prayer, service, and fellowship activities for women in the congregation.
• Men's Ministry Programs for men to support and pray for one another, with small groups and service projects.
• Missions Program Mission support through American Baptist Churches International Ministries operating in over 30 countries. Active missionaries include Rick and Anita Gutieras (South Africa), Jon and Amanda Good (Hungary), and Denise and Juan Aragon (Mexico).
• Prayer Ministry Weekly prayer line on Wednesday mornings accessed by telephone, plus an intimate stained-glass chapel open for quiet prayer and contemplation.
• Hope-Net Food Pantry Emergency food pantry program serving the economically disadvantaged community in Los Angeles. Since inception, the church has served over 2 million persons and over 250,000 persons last year alone. Operates in collaboration with L.A. Foodbank.
• Online and Text Giving Secure online and text-based giving options for tithes and offerings using debit or credit cards via BreezeChMS, with options for single or recurring gifts. Text the word 'Give' to 323-214-3094 for mobile donations.
• Baptist Service Corporation / Good Neighbor Center Non-profit organization founded by the church in the late-1960s to construct and operate affordable senior housing (Vista Towers). Now developing a Good Neighbor Center and Network under a new Executive Director for an expanded era of community service.
• Media/Sermon Library Recorded sermon series archived on YouTube including Xtreme Faith (Hebrews 11-12), Pure Discipleship, Revelation Bible Study, Psalms Bible Study, Living Hope Advent, John the Baptist, The Church Begins (Acts), and Prelude: The Kingdom of God.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250,000 persons served annually through Hope-Net food pantry programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Baptist Churches USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1874First Baptist Church of Los Angeles is a member of American Baptist Churches USA, established in 1636 in colonial America. This denominational affiliation provides global mission network with missionaries in over 30 countries, theological resources, and connection to Baptist heritage. The church participates in American Baptist International Ministries missions including supporting Rick and Anita Gutieras (South Africa), Jon and Amanda Good (Hungary), and Denise and Juan Aragon (Mexico).
• Hope-Net Food PantrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHope-Net food pantries and meal programs are primary sources of emergency food for the economically poor in the Los Angeles area. Since inception, Hope-Net has served over 2 million persons, with over 250,000 persons served last year alone. The church site serves as distribution location for this essential community service.
• Baptist Service CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization founded by the church in the late-1960s to construct, own, and operate Vista Towers affordable senior apartments. After four decades of operation, property was sold to another mission-driven nonprofit. Corporation is now developing the 'Good Neighbor Center and Network' with its first Executive Director leading new era of community service.
• Koinonia FellowshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister church that joins First Baptist Church of Los Angeles for worship services, especially during communion Sundays and special celebrations. Represents ecumenical partnership with shared worship experiences including joint sermons and Spanish translation.
• Sehil ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean-language church partnering for multi-lingual worship services. Participated in Freedom Sunday Worship July 4, 2021 along with Koinonia and FBCLA for trilingual worship (English, Spanish, Korean) representing three churches and three languages.
• L.A. FOODBANKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHope-Net Food Pantry collaborates with Los Angeles Food Bank for food distribution services. Visit www.lafoodbank.org for additional resources and support.
• Bethel Health BuildersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth ministry partner in South Africa led by missionaries Rick and Anita Gutieras, who are family doctors equipping and treating local leaders to combat lifestyle diseases including HIV/AIDS, high blood pressure, heart disease, and malaria while teaching nutrition and economic empowerment.
• CICEM (Council of Rural Indigenous Evangelicals of Mexico)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMission partner in Mexico led by Denise and Juan Aragon, working with the Council of Rural Indigenous Evangelicals of Mexico. Their work focuses on training, prevention, education, and economic empowerment in Chiapas.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• All Saints Church (Pasadena): Historic Episcopal congregation in greater Los Angeles known for progressive theology, prophetic social-justice voice, and diverse membership — directly aligned with FBCLA's self-described 'international, interracial, ecumenical, biblical' identity and its justice-oriented community engagement.
• West Angeles Church of God in Christ: Prominent historic Black Pentecostal congregation in South Los Angeles with substantial community-outreach operations, food programs, and a multi-site presence. Comparable as a faith-based institution operating large-scale food and social-services programs in LA.
• Holman United Methodist Church: Historic African American Methodist congregation in the West Adams district of Los Angeles with deep community-service programming, food distribution, and civil-rights heritage. Closely comparable to FBCLA as a multi-generational, socially engaged historic LA Protestant congregation.
• McKinley Memorial Baptist Church: Mid-sized historic Baptist congregation serving the greater Los Angeles area with traditional worship, Christian education, and community outreach. Comparable to FBCLA as a fellow Baptist church operating similar ministry programming in the LA metro.
• First Congregational Church of Los Angeles: Historic mainline Protestant congregation in downtown Los Angeles with similar century-plus legacy, progressive theological identity, and active community service programming. Directly comparable in urban LA mission, ecumenical partnerships, and historic-building operations.
• Wilshire Boulevard Temple: Large Reform Jewish congregation in the Koreatown/Mid-Wilshire corridor anchored by a historic 1929 sanctuary. Highly comparable as a long-standing, culturally engaged urban religious institution running extensive social-service and education programs in the same LA geography.

Broad incumbents

• Lakewood Church: One of the largest congregations in the United States, based in Houston but with significant LA-area reach via broadcast. Comparable as a Christian congregation with broadcast-scale media operations and large community-outreach programming.
• First Baptist Dallas: Large American Baptist megachurch in Dallas, Texas with extensive media broadcasting, education, and global-mission operations. Comparable as an American Baptist congregation but operates at materially larger scale across media, programs, and budget.
• Saddleback Church: One of the largest evangelical congregations in the United States, headquartered in Lake Forest, California (Orange County) with multiple regional campuses. Comparable as a Southern California congregation with extensive community-service and missions programming, though at substantially greater scale.

Others

• Union Rescue Mission: Faith-based nonprofit organization in downtown Los Angeles providing food, shelter, and social services to the economically disadvantaged. Comparable to FBCLA's Hope-Net food-pantry work as a co-located faith-driven social-services provider in the LA community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FBCOFLAWC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-baptist-church-of-los-angeles

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 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 LOS ANGELES