If you are new to First, you may have some questions. Let’s see if we can answer some of them here:
What time do services start? On Sundays, we start at 10:30 am. On Wednesdays, everything begins at 7.
Where should I park?
There is parking available on both sides of the church and in front of the church.
What door should I enter when I arrive?
If you enter through the main doors, the ones that face the highway, you will immediately step into our foyer area. If you enter from the side by the school building, you will walk down a hallway that houses our offices and fellowship hall, then enter the foyer. If you enter on the side underneath the covered entry, you will walk down a hallway that houses the nursery and kids church room and then enter the foyer.
Where is the sanctuary located?
When you are in the foyer there are four doors, two on each side of the TV screen and any of the four doors allow entry into the sanctuary. When you step in you will be in the back of the sanctuary.
Where are the restrooms located?
When you enter the foyer through the front doors the women’s restroom is the first door to your right, on the right side. The men’s restroom is on the opposite side to the left on the left side of the hallway.
Is there childcare?
Yes we have a nursery that will take children from birth to 4 years old. When you enter the foyer from the front doors, the nursery is to the right. All kids must be checked in at the Kids Church Room. If you’re new it will take a few minutes to register your family. After that you only have to enter your phone number to get your name tags. A name tag will print for each child and a security tag for the parent which must be turned in so the child can be released to the correct person. The security tag will need to be presented when you pick up your child.
Do you have kids church?
Yes! The kids must be checked in at the kids church room. If you’re new it will take a few minutes to register your family. After that you only have to give your name to get your name tags. A name tag will print for each child and a security tag for the parent which must be turned in so the child can be released to the correct person. The kids stay in kids church for the entire time. The kids church room is located to the right as you enter the sanctuary. It is also in the hallway if you enter under the carport. The nursery is located right across the hallway.
When do the youth meet?
They meet in the gym (building behind the church) at 7:00 pm on Wednesday nights. Youth is for students in grades 6-12. The youth pastor is Bryce George. (You’ll find him on the stage during worship playing acoustic guitar.)
What is the building behind the church?
This building is owned by the church and we lease it to a charter school, Advantage Academy. The youth meet in this building every Wednesday, in the gym.
What other ministries are there?
Our Primetimers group is for those 55 and older. They meet for lunch on the second Friday of each month. The Men usually meet the third Saturday of each month for breakfast at the church. The Women hold different activities and events throughout the year. Young Adults (those in college and older) have different activities and events. (All these events are currently on hold due to Covid concerns)
Where can I volunteer?
If you would like to serve at First we have several ministries that are available-hospitality, ushering, music, media, kids, nursery, youth, men’s and women’s ministries and young adults. We do run background checks and ask for a volunteer ministry application to be filled out if you would like to serve with us.
What ministries do you have for various ages?
Nursery is for kids birth through 4 years old.
First Kids is a ministry for kids in kindergarten-fifth grade.
FAYM is an acronym for First Assembly Youth Ministries and is for students in grades 6th-12th.
Our Young Adults group is for anyone who has graduated high school and still considers themselves young.
Our Primetimers group is for anyone aged 55 and older.
The men’s and women’s ministries are open to all men and women regardless of age.
Who is on your leadership team?
Our pastors are Carl and Cindy Richard (pronounced Ree-Shard). They have pastored in various churches around the United States, but felt as if they were moving “home” when they chose to move to Waxahachie to pastor First. They both graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University where they began their friendship that eventually led to a marriage. Pastor Carl also has a masters degree in Counseling. They are very happy to be at First and are excited to watch the church grow as it serves the community.
Our worship leader is Pastor David George. He graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and has held positions as worship leader in Texas, Oregon, and Arizona. He is originally from Louisiana but also feels as if he has returned home as he was previously on staff at First Assembly. His love for God and people are evident in his ministry as executive pastor and worship leader.
Pastor Bryce George is on staff as our Youth Minister. He recently graduated with his masters degree in Social Work and attended Southwestern Assemblies of God University for his undergraduate degree. He is an ordained minister and loves to help people find the opportunities in life that will give them a second chance. He enjoys ministering to students as they travel through their middle school, junior high, and high school years.
Tonya Langston is on staff as the Kids Pastor. She has served in kids ministry for over 40 years. Her love for children is evident as she prepares and plans lesson and activities that are age appropriate, fun, and teach children how to live their lives to please God. She graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University with her undergraduate degree, earned her Masters degree in Biblical Studies from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and recently graduated with a Masters of Divinity.
Do you have other questions that we have not addressed here? Please email us at firstwaxahachie@gmail.com and we will be happy to answer it!