About
WHAT WE BELIEVE
What is the Gospel?
The gospel is the good news that God sent His only Son, Jesus, to make atonement for sin by dying on a cross, bearing the full weight of sin and God’s wrath, and being raised from the dead so that those who believe in Him would have eternal life and a right relationship with God. This core message to Christianity drives everything we do here at First Baptist Sparta. Our worship services, discipleship ministries, and local/global missions are all fueled by this message of love, hope, and salvation.
Baptist Faith & Message
Sparta Baptist Church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. As such, we affirm the Baptist Faith & Message 2000.
Membership at First Baptist Sparta
Membership at our church is more than just joining a group—it’s a commitment to live out your faith in community. As members, we commit to worship God together, grow in our walk with Christ, serve others with our gifts, give generously to support the mission, and live as everyday witnesses of the gospel. These five commitments shape who we are as a body of believers and how we carry out God’s calling in the world.
2025 Bible Reading Plan
Join us in our 2025 Bible Reading Plan.
Download the free PDF and read through the Bible this year with First Baptist Sparta.
mission & vision
GLORIFY
First Baptist Sparta exists to glorify God...
GLORIFY
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
GROW
by laboring together for the growth of all believers...
GROW
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Colossians 1:28-29
GO
while going with the gospel locally and globally.
Grow
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
MEET OUR PASTOR
Meet our Pastor, Matt Harris, and his wife Mallory, daughters Nora, Annemarie, Jane and son Charlie.
Matt and Mallory were married in 2014 and have since welcomed four children: Nora, Annemarie, Charlie, and Jane. Before moving to Sparta, NC in October 2021, Matt served for 6 years as the Student Pastor at Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC. He is currently in the process of completing his Masters of Divinity in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he is excited to see the gospel take root and grow in this church and in this community.
meet the staff
STAFF
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- Matt Harris – Senior Pastor
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- Kolby Queen – Associate Minister to Families
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- Debbie Rowe – Finance Officer
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- Tamara Killon – Secretary
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- Meghan Norris – Treasurer
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- Deb Oliver – Music Director
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- Tammy Marion – Pianist
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- Sharon Barre – Custodian
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- Rick Barre – Custodian
DEACONS
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- Brett Jarrett – Deacon Chairman
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- Brandon Keener – Deacon
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- David Post – Deacon
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- Bob Cardon – Deacon
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- Grant Caudill – Deacon
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- Don Stutts – Deacon
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- Faron Atwood – Deacon
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- Justen Williams – Deacon
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- Matt Foster – Deacon
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- Jonathan Bowman – Deacon
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- Logan Oliver – Deacon
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- Bill Nilo – Deacon
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- Matt Harris – Senior Pastor
-
- Kolby Queen – Associate Minister to Families
-
- Debbie Rowe – Finance Officer
-
- Tamara Killon – Secretary
-
- Meghan Norris – Treasurer
-
- Deb Oliver – Music Director
-
- Tammy Marion – Pianist
-
- Sharon Barre – Custodian
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- Rick Barre – Custodian
DEACONS
Current Sermon Series
Genesis: In the Beginning
This series explores the opening chapters of Scripture, showing how the triune God created the universe out of nothing and ordered it with intentional design. Each message highlights God as the foundation of all creation and invites us to consider: if He holds the cosmos together, is He also the foundation of your life?