Who Are We?
A church is not just a group of faceless people - it is made up of people just like your friends, neighbors, family. At First Baptist Church of Lady Lake, we strive to be an extension of your family. God expects the local church to be there to support each other through good times, bad times and rough times, and at First Baptist Church of Lady Lake we will be there when you call. If you need us, you will not get an answering machine at night, we have people who will be there when you call. Prayer RequestContact UsOur Staff and Volunteers
Our Team & Leadership
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42 (KJV)
Paul L. Spoltore
Executive Director
Helen Accurso
Director, Heritage Christian Academy
Fran Spoltore
Administrative Assistant
Dr. Paul B. Harsh, II, B.A., M.Div, D.Min.
Senior Pastor
Dr. Paul Harsh is a graduate of Bob Jones University (B.A.), Temple Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Bob Jones University Seminary (D.Min.). He has been a pastor for more than forty years, founding or “restarting” three churches. He is currently the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lady Lake, Florida, a church he founded in 1990. First Baptist Church of Lady Lake is Biblically focused and has a strong teaching ministry. Additional teaching ministries include Heritage Christian Academy and the Heritage Bible Institute.
Dr. Paul Harsh has also published the Layman’s Guide to the Holy Spirit, an exploration of the ministry of the Holy Spirit (God) throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The Holy Spirit’s ministry is probably one of the most misunderstood in the entire Bible.
Dr. Paul Harsh is a native to Central Florida. He and his wife, Laurie, have been married for more than thirty-nine years and have one daughter and two granddaughters (the most beautiful in all the world!).
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you believe about baptism?
The ordinance of Baptism in water is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe in Jesus Christ as personal savior are to be baptized; thus it is a step of obedience to identify the believer publicly with Christ. To be consistent with the symbol of the burial and resurrection of Christ, Baptism must be by immersion. (Matthew 3:16, 28:19-20; Acts 8:39)
Do you support missions?
Although we have each been called by our Lord Christ Jesus to spread the Gospel to “all the world,” we cannot personally go everywhere. That is why the church, together as a body of believers, committed and selected a particular set of missionaries to support financially.
What is an independent Baptist church?
We are an autonomous evangelical church and are not affiliated with any denomination. Major decisions regarding business matters are made by the church membership. As directed by the Bible, the church pastor makes and is held accountable by God for any doctrinal or pastoral decisions. Our pastor is Dr. Paul B. Harsh, II, D.Min.
Do you perform the Lord’s Supper?
The Lord’s Supper consists of two elements, bread and the fruit of the vine. It is to be observed until Jesus returns, is memorial of the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, and provides an occasion for personal assessment of one’s life and love toward Christ. (I Corinthians 11:23-30)
Do I have to be a member to participate?
Absolutely not! While there are a small number of ministries where we ask that you be a church member to participate, most activities and ministries of the church are open to everyone who attends.
I do not know if I am going to heaven or hell – can you help me?
We have many members, of all age, sex, race, who . We may even have some who are unsure like you are. That is why we work with everyone individually to help them understand what God has called them to do in order to accept the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf to bring us into fellowship with God so that we may have eternal life.