Your Discipleship Journey

Finding Your Next Step With Jesus

Discipleship is not a program or a preset plan. Every person’s walk with Jesus is unique, shaped by where they are, what they are learning, and how God is at work in their life. Discipleship is the process of spiritaul growth that takes place once someone places faith in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Salvation is the starting point for all disciples. If you have questions about salvation, reach out to Pastor Jared here or visit this site for more information. At Osprey Church, our desire is to help you identify and take your next step on the path of following Jesus.

Our leadership team is currently engaging in a strategic process called DisciplesPath, meant to revitalize our disciple-making ministries, built around four essential steps: Discover, Discern, Design, and Deploy. As we progress through this process, we seek to implement a clearly defined discipleship process into the life of our church moving forward. This is part of the disciple-making, healthy church culture we desire to cultivate here.

Whether you are exploring faith, growing in your relationship with Christ, or seeking ways to serve, we want to walk alongside you as you grow. Our DisciplesPath process will ensure we proactively meet the needs of each person as we grow together.

Our Mission, Vision, Purpose and Values

Our Mission (what we do)

We reach people far from Jesus and help them become fully committed disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our Purpose (why we exist)

We glorify God with our lives by knowing Jesus personally, worshiping Jesus passionately, and making Him known greatly in our community and world.

Our Vision (who we aspire to be)

We seek to be a healthy church where people experience the love of Jesus, see their lives changed by His power and forgiveness, and begin living in the freedom of a growing relationship with Him.

Our Values (how we fulfill our mission and see our vision realized)

These values shape how we live out our faith together:

We LOVE God and people
We GROW in faith and obedience
We SERVE the church and our community
We STEWARD what God has entrusted to us

We have four "core value teams" established with the purpose to find practical ways to help our church live out our core values. These teams meet periodically throughout the year and help guide our efforts to put our faith into action and reflect the love of Christ to others.

LOVE | led by Denise Tuggle

GROW | led by Chelsea Tuggle
SERVE | led by Thelma Proctor
STEWARDSHIP | led by Don Baugh and Vince Collier

For more information, including how to become involved in one of these teams, email the church office at info@osprey.church.

Growth Happens in Community

Circles are better than rows.

Spiritual growth is not meant to happen in isolation. People grow best when they are connected in meaningful relationships centered on God’s Word.

We grow as we study Scripture together
We grow as we build authentic relationships
We grow as we encourage and challenge one another

Connecting to a group is an important step in your discipleship journey. Below are current group opportunities where you can grow and serve as part of the Body of Christ.

Group Opportunities

Sunday Morning Bible Study Groups

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42)

When: Meets Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in various rooms around campus

What: These groups provide biblical teaching, discussion, and encouragement in a smaller setting.

What to expect: Engaging discussions led by a trusted leader who will keep the conversation grounded in Scripture while providing practical life-application. Adult groups usually go verse-by-verse, section-by-section, through the Bible. We have coffee and donuts/pastries available complimentary in the fellowship hall.

Coed Adults Group | Room FH1 - Fellowship Hall | led by Vince Collier
Men’s Group | Room FH2 | led by Dan Bistarkey
Ladies' Group | Room FH3 - Library | led by Carol Bistarkey
Students and Young Adults Group | Room A2 | led by Jonathan Allen
Elementary Children's Group | Room FMC2 | led by Thelma Proctor
Nursery (newborn-4yrs old) | Room FMC3 - Nursery | led by Gigi Barkman

Contact: Thelma Proctor, Church Clerk or Pastor Jared

Generations Group

One generation commending the works of God to another. (Psalm 145:4)

When: TBD - starting soon!

What: Generations is a cross-generational ministry where older and younger believers walk together - sharing life, learning life-lessons, studying Scripture, serving our community, and living out the faith that has been handed down. The goal is to build friendships and impact the next generation.

What to expect: Fun times and unique spiritual emphasis with discussions led by various people with different voices and perspectives. This is a safe place of ministry, a time for mentoring, serving side by side, and honest conversation across age groups. Adults are not chaperones on the edge of the room. Students are not the “program”. All generations show up to learn from each other and to pass on what God has done in our lives.

Who it’s for: Students, children, young adults, parents, and seasoned saints who want to be in the line of faith - reaching across generational boundaries and sharing life with others on purpose and with intention. If you want help navigating your own faith questions and challenges, this is the perfect place.

The aim: That the next generation would know the Lord, set their hope in Him, and be ready to commend His works to the generation after them. That we may leave a lasting legacy and pass the baton of the Gospel into the future by impacting people today.

Contact: Pastor Jared

Worship Team / Band

When: Practices Sundays at 9:00 a.m.; leads in worship Sundays at 10:00 a.m.; occasional practices scheduled as needed

What: If God has gifted you with musical ability - whether in voice or instrument - we believe you should serve Him with that talent. The worship team / band is a perfect place to express your praise to God as you lead our church to worship and prepare hearts for the message from God's Word weekly.

Contact: Carrie Koontz, Worship Leader

School Prayer Group

When: Meets quarterly throughout the 2026-27 school year on the following days:

August 10, First Day of School
November 9
January 11, First Monday of 2nd Semester
April 12

Where: Church Auditorium

What: Pastor Jared leads a time of intentional prayer focused on local schools and school-related needs. During this time we also pray for each person in our church community connected to a school - by name and school. Open for anyone to come and pray together!

Contact: Pastor Jared

A Legacy of Faith Rooted in Truth

Established in 1909, First Baptist Church of Osprey was a mission church to serve the Osprey community. As far as we know, our church was the third Baptist church in Sarasota County. This long history serving the Osprey community is part of our legacy and helped us become known as the "church in the heart of the community with a heart for the community" for many years.

Over time, our reach has expanded as Sarasota County has grown and transportation improved. Today, most members and regular attendees still live in central to southern Sarasota County. However, some families travel weekly from as far north as Bradenton, as far east as the Myakka River Valley, and as far south as Punta Gorda to worship Jesus with us. God is building a special church here but one thing remains steady despite changes over time: we remain committed to living out and abiding by the truth of God's Word, the Bible. Our services have always been focused around the preaching of God's Word as absolute truth in a loving and relevant way.

Take Your Next Step

Everyone’s discipleship journey looks different, but everyone has a next step.

Whether that step is joining a group, serving on a team, learning more about Jesus, or asking questions, we would love to help you take it.

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Let us know where you are and how we can come alongside you.