DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY
Whether it’s a family road trip or your walk with Jesus, every journey has a starting point. For Christians, that journey begins with a relationship with Jesus. And the most important question you can ask is: How do I begin that relationship?
God created the world and everything in it and called it “good”, but humanity chose to run from His design. The Bible calls this sin—anything we think, say, or do that falls short of God’s glory—and it separates us from a holy God.
But the Gospel—the Good News—is that God didn’t leave us in our sin. He sent His Son, Jesus, who lived a perfect life—never deviating from God’s design. He died in our place, for our sin on the cross, and then rose from the grave, defeating sin and death. Scripture says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
"If you’d like to speak with someone about your salvation or starting your relationship with Jesus please click Contact Us. For a fuller explanation of the Gospel, click Watch Here.
We believe that every Discipleship Journey begins with a relationship with Jesus and then continues with a commitment to the local Church. A member of First Naples is someone who has put their faith and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, has been baptized by immersion, and is committed to an ongoing discipleship journey through the ministries of First Naples.
We care deeply about everyone’s personal walk with the Lord, and our Discipleship Pathway intentionally equips every person to take their Next Step with Jesus. It is through those Next Steps in each believer that we begin to see our vision fulfilled to reach our Neighbors to the Nations.
Why Is Church Membership Important?
Church membership matters because we all need a place to belong and a family to walk with as we follow Jesus. At First Naples, membership is more than voting on a budget or earning a badge of honor—it’s a meaningful Next Step in your discipleship journey.
When you become a member, you’re saying, “This is my church,” and committing to grow with us, serve with us, and care for others as they care for you. Scripture reminds us in Hebrews 10 that we were never meant to live the Christian life alone; we need one another for encouragement, accountability, and spiritual growth. By locking arms with other believers, we are able to do far more for the Kingdom than we ever could on our own.
As we pursue our vision of raising up leaders, disciple makers, and world changers, membership invites all people—every race, tribe, and nation—to reflect the diversity of our community as we partner to reach our neighbors to the nations.
Pathway to Membership
Salvation
We are all sinners in need of a Savior. The Bible teaches that Jesus, the Son of God, is that Savior. He lived a perfect life—free from sin; through obedience to the Father through His sacrifice on the cross, He died in our place, for our sin; and He rose from the grave, defeating sin and death for all.
BAPTISM
We celebrate believer’s baptism following the example in scripture of baptism by immersion coming after salvation. We believe that baptism is an <b>act of obedience</b> in following Jesus; it is an<b>outward symbol</b> of your inward commitment to Jesus as Savior; and it is a<b>testimony of your faith</b> to all who see.
Membership class
This class is where you will learn about the beliefs of First Naples and the expectations of our members. You will learn who we are, what we believe, and how you partner with us. All of that in a relaxed environment where you can get your questions answered and express your desire to become a member!
Andy Wells
Equipping + Connections Pastor
Chris Vang
Next Steps Coordinator
Jenny Berryman
Equipping Ministry Assistant