Vision Statement
To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ so that all individuals, regardless of status, may be saved through faith and produce bold disciples by the teaching of the Bible whom will provide dynamic Christian witness and outreach to the world through each ministry within the church.
Missions Statement
The mission of First Missionary Baptist Church is to provide for the spiritual growth of personal faith in Jesus Christ so that all are prepared for effective witness and outreach in fulfillment of the Great Commission to spread the gospel of Christ. This is accomplished by the teaching of the Bible, prayer, worship, stewardship, encouragement, and fellowship. Each ministry within the church has accountability to develop programs that are in line with the church vision.
Our Pastor
Pastor Keith L. Canady
is a native of Jacksonville, FL. He is the second of two sons born to Rudolph and Bertha Canady, who are deceased. His brother, Dr. Darryl T. Canady, is currently the Senior Pastor/Teacher of Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, PA. Pastor Canady is the loving father of two daughters, Lauren, the eldest, who is a graduate of Valdosta State University and University of South Florida, and the youngest, Lindsay, who graduated from Florida A&M University. He is also the proud uncle of Major and Essence Canady.
Pastor Canady attended the local schools of Duval County, graduating from Robert E. Lee High School, now known as Riverside High School. After high school, he furthered his education attending Florida Memorial University in Miami, FL., and Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL.
Growing up in the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Canady served faithfully in the choir. In 1992, he surrendered to the Call of the Ministry and preached his initial sermon on October 18, 1992. He was licensed by Pastor Jason Barr Sr., and was ordained on Jan. 19, 2003, by his pastor, Dr. Landon L. Williams Sr., both of whom are now deceased.
Pastor Canady is the Founder of K. Lamar Ministries, Inc., a ministry dedicated to helping heal our communities through proper life planning and development of skills. He is affiliated with numerous groups and organizations, including being an active member of the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc. Pastor Canady is formally the Pastor and Founder of Center of Praise Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL., and he set a precedent as the Chaplain of Athletics (Life Coach) at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, FL. being the first person to serve in this role on the university’s campus. Known on the campus as simply Pastor Keith, his purpose is to impact the lives of everyone he comes in contact with to enjoy, be equipped, and be empowered to carry out the Great Commission.
Pastor Canady lives his life as a Man of God who is assured of the fact that God has called him because the Spirit of the Lord is upon him and because God has anointed him to preach the gospel to the poor. God has sent Pastor Canady to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15 KJV
In his words, with a phrase that he uses often, Pastor Canady would like to thank Lottie, Dolly, and Everybody for the prayerful roles you have had in his life. To God be the Glory!
Pastor Keith L. Canady
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The Church Where God Brings Faith, Family, and Friends First