About Us
Mission
To develop deep roots into God’s Word and a wide reach into God’s world for the advancement of His Kingdom and the glory of His name.
Vital Worship
This is the purpose for which each of us was made! Every week we gather together to glorify God, and to have our hearts and minds re-oriented by God’s Word.
Transforming Discipleship
The gospel is an invitation to a relationship with Jesus Christ. By His word and Spirit, we are becoming mature and equipped followers of Jesus.
Authentic Fellowship
We were not made to live in isolation. We need real and meaningful connections with one another, where we can know and be known.
Gospel Witness
God has called each follower of Christ to live as His witnesses, making the gospel known to the least and the lost.
Kingdom Mission
The world is a broken place. The church is called to be a mission outpost, sharing the love of God through tangible ministries of mercy, especially to the orphan, widow, and stranger.
Frontline Prayer
Prayer is our single greatest spiritual resource. We pray, not just for our own needs, but as Jesus commanded us to pray for the coming of His Kingdom.
Our Story
Our story is not a story of great faith; it is a story of faith in a Great God. Launched on October 29, 1887, the First ARP Church of Gastonia was organized with a membership of 47 faith-filled people. Missions work launched in 1913 and our thriving congregation soon outgrew our original meeting space and stepped out in faith in a new meeting space in February 1918.
During the next several decades, God continued to grow our faith. During the depression, when many families left Gaston County to move elsewhere to find work, the congregation of First ARP Church of Gastonia continued to believe God would provide.
In 1947 this congregation felt God calling them to continue to expand in ministry, and they stepped out in faith and purchased a piece of property on Chester Street, where our current church building now resides. The new church building was completed and dedicated on November 14, 1948.
Since that time membership, missions, giving, ministry, and staff have all continued to grow. A new education building was built in 2002. Gaston Community Church was planted in 2008. From 2016-2019 the entire campus of First ARP underwent a major renovation, with increased parking, and a new Ministry Activity Center (MAC).
And this is just the beginning of all that God wants to accomplish through First ARP! So, stay tuned – God is still at work. To Him alone be the glory.