Faith Baptist Church began in May 1966, when Pastor James Winkler was sent from New York Avenue Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, to establish a mission serving Northeast Tacoma and Federal Way. The mission grew steadily, initially meeting at Olympic View Elementary, and on April 23, 1967, it was organized as Bible Baptist Church of Federal Way.

 

Pastor Winkler served until January 1968, when he resigned because of his wife’s health. Pastor Dave McElreath became pastor in February 1968. That year the name was changed to Faith Baptist Church, and the growing congregation acquired the property that remains our church home today. Pastor McElreath led Faith Baptist Church until March 1980, when he accepted the pastorate of Ambassador Baptist Church in Longmont, Colorado.

 

In August 1980, Pastor Michael Lane and his family came to Tacoma from Grand Prairie, Texas. Under Pastor Lane the church continued to expand, and Faith Baptist Christian Academy was established. In May 1994, Pastor Lane and his family left Washington to serve as missionaries in Honduras.

 

That same month, Pastor Mark Smith visited Faith Baptist Church to present the ministry of Mt. Pisgah Scripture Printing, and was invited to consider becoming the church’s next pastor. After prayerfully seeking God’s direction, Pastor Smith moved his family to the Northwest and became pastor of Faith Baptist Church on June 5, 1994.

 

For more than 32 years, Pastor Smith faithfully led Faith Baptist Church through seasons of growth, change, and expanded ministry at home and around the world. Throughout those years, he maintained a strong emphasis on missions, Scripture printing, and international ministry partnerships — work that continues today in his role as Pastor of Global Ministries.

 

Pastor Daniel Kirchner first became part of the Faith Baptist Church family as a teenager in 1996, attending services with his mother and transferring to FBCA where he met his wife, Sarah. “Bro. Dan” served for many years as Youth Pastor, then as Associate Pastor, ministering alongside Pastor Smith in the life and leadership of the church. On September 20, 2026, the church family unanimously appointed Pastor Kirchner as Senior Pastor, as Pastor Smith transitioned into his continuing role as Pastor of Global Ministries.

 

Today, Faith Baptist Church remains committed to the same purpose that has shaped its ministry for more than half a century: helping people know and grow in Christ, serving our community, and sharing the hope of the gospel around the world. We are grateful for God’s faithfulness through every generation of our church and look forward to what He will continue to do in the years ahead.