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About Us

“We are a Family of REBORN believers REJOICING in service and REACHING our community in RESPONSE to GOD’S Word.”

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First Baptist Church North Indianapolis

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FBCNI is a teaching church located in the heart of Indianapolis. Our Pastor is a highly regarded preacher, teacher and scholar who holds a Ph.D. in African American Studies from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One of Pastor Hicks’ first initiatives at First Baptist was to create The Nia Academy. Classes are offered throughout the year to develop Christians who seek to study to show themselves approved unto God.

 

  • Sunday Morning Early Worship 8:45 a.m.

  • Sunday School and New Members’ Class 10:00 a.m.

  • Family Worship 11:15 a.m.

  • Prayer Warriors Tuesday at 4:30pm

  • Men’s #101 Bible Class Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. 

  • Women's Bible Study Class Tuesday at 6:00p.m.

  • Prayer with Pastor Wednesday at 7:00 a.m.

  • Midday Bible Study Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. 

  • Word on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m.

  • Feeding & Fueling Program Thursday at 11:30am

  • Youth Bible Study Thursday at 5:30pm

  • Choir Rehearsal Thursday at 5:30pm

 

Existing as a church since 1885, we are a community of reborn believers giving expression and visible form to that faith and fellowship to which God has called His people. The Senior Minister Ivan Douglas Hicks, Ph.D., welcomes you to the First Baptist Church North Indianapolis.

Our Pastor

Our Pastor
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Ivan Douglas Hicks, Ph.D

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Dr. Ivan Douglas Hicks has served as the Senior Minister of the historic First Baptist Church North Indianapolis, Indiana since April of 1999.  Prior to moving to Indianapolis, Pastor Hicks served as assistant to Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr. at his home church, Metropolitan Baptist Church, in Washington, D.C.   He served the prior three years, from 1994 through 1997, as Executive Minister/Chief Operating Officer at Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Congressman William H. Gray, III served as the Senior Minister. In August of 2003, Dr. Hicks was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in African American Studies from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Renowned Afrocentric scholar, Molefi Kete Asante provided mentorship to Dr. Hicks in his course work and dissertation preparation.

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“Centering African American Religion: Toward an Afrocentric Analysis” is the publication that is the result of Dr. Hicks’ terminal matriculation. Rev. Hicks graduated from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio where he received a Master of Divinity Degree in 1994.  In December of 2007 Dr. Hicks graduated his first nine Doctoral students as he served as Adjunct Faculty Mentor in the Doctor of Ministry Program at United. As he completed this assignment he was asked to serve as the first Samuel Dewitt Proctor Visiting Professor teaching Masters students and then assumed a position as Associate Dean of African American Studies at United. In this capacity, among other responsibilities, he developed a comprehensive African American Studies Department for the Seminary, infusing an African American Studies Curriculum into the Master of Divinity program.  He is also a proud alum of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he was a campus leader and community organizer. He founded the Morehouse Mentoring Program and toward the end of his collegiate matriculation, Ivan Douglas was elected and remains the President of the Morehouse Class of 1991. Pastor Hicks resides in the city of Indianapolis with his bride of twenty-seven years, Christia Lynett Hicks. They are the proud parents of engaging twin daughters Austynn Lene’ and Ashley Rene’ and sixteen year old Anya Madison.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 

Psalm 51:10

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