About Fellowship

Here for you and for our community.

Mission

Helping people find and follow Jesus Christ.

FBC-Icon-Large

Vision

Transformed lives leaving a godly legacy.

Our Story

Fellowship Bible Church began in 1996, when God moved in the hearts of 20 families from Topeka Bible Church to plant a church in west Topeka - a church with the mission of helping people find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and follow Him with their lives. The early years of the mission were difficult and included a failure in leadership and a painful church split; however, God showed us His power is made perfect in weakness as He carried Fellowship through those hard times.

After hopping between schools for the first few years, God blessed us with a brand new building at 17th and Indian Hills and we moved there in May of 2000. Two years later, the elders hired Joe Hishmeh to be the new lead pastor and between 2002 and 2006, the church grew from 150 people in weekend worship to 650. It quickly became clear that more space was needed and Fellowship Bible Church was able to purchase 12 acres of land at 10th and Urish to begin construction of a new facility.

In October of 2007, Fellowship Bible Church held its first official service at our current location.

In the 15 years since, God has continued to be faithful to our church. He has blessed us with incredible opportunities to engage the community around us with the gospel, including movements like  Love Topeka, Sharefest, and Fellowship Hi-Crest. Even as we have continued to grow as a congregation, God has faithfully provided for our needs every step of the way. And even though we have had many changes in venue, size, and staff in the years since 1996, one thing that has never changed about Fellowship is our commitment to God, His Word, and people. We are confident that God has great plans for Fellowship in the coming years and are excited to see where He leads us next!

Fellowship Values

God-Icon

God

We love God because He first loved us. Our love grows for God when we get to know Him, obey His commands, faithfully endure through difficult times and worship Him in all circumstances.

His-Word-Icon

His Word

We are grounded in God’s Word, the Bible. The Bible reveals who God is and helps us understand what He has done to restore us to Himself and how to come to Him through Jesus. We are also guided by the Bible as it provides a blueprint for us to live a life that responds lovingly to God and others.

People-Icon

People

God loves people. We want to love people the way Christ loves us. This love motivates us to give generously, serve sacrificially, share the truth and grace of Christ, and invest all we are and have to further God’s kingdom in the lives of people.

THE SCRIPTURES
The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed. We believe the Bible is living and active and is to be learned and lived.

2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2:15; 2 Pet. 1:20,21; Mat. 5:18; Jhn. 16:12-13, 17:17; Heb. 4:12; Rom. 10:17; Jas. 1:22

THE GODHEAD
We believe in one God eternally existing in three equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each has the same nature and attributes but is distinct in office and activity.

Mt 28:19; Isa 6:8; Mt 3:16-17; 1 Cor 6:11; 2 Cor 1:21-22; 1 Pet 1:2

GOD THE FATHER
The first person of the Trinity is an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. God the Father orders and directs all things according to His own purpose and pleasure, full of grace and truth. Because of His great love for people, He draws them to Himself, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

Mat. 6:9; Jhn. 1:14, 3:16, 4:23-24, 5:19-24, 6:44; Eph. 1:3-6; Psa. 34:18

THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary to reveal God and redeem sinful humanity. He lived a sinless life and brought Good News to all in a broken world, accomplishing our salvation through His death on the cross as the only mediator between God and humanity. In obedience to the Father, He became our substitutionary sacrifice. He then ascended into Heaven and sits exalted at the right hand of the Father. As Prophet, Priest, and King, He is now our representative before the Father and Head of the Universal Church. Our justification is made sure by His real, physical resurrection from the dead. Our blessed hope is His future return.

Isa. 61:1; Jhn. 1:1- 2,14; Luk. 1:35, 4:18; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 3:24, 8:34; Eph. 1:7; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6:15; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 7:25, 9:24; 1 Pet. 1:3-5, 2:24; 1 Jhn. 2:1-2

THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and during this age to convict people, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, seal, guide, instruct, unite, and empower believers for godly living and service, producing spiritual fruit.

Jhn. 14:26, 16:8-11; 2 Cor. 3:6; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13-14, 2:10, 5:18; 1 Cor. 12; Jhn. 3:1-8, 15:16; Gal. 5:16-25

CREATION
God created, out of nothing, all things in heaven and earth for His glory, and they exist by His power.

Gen 1:1; Col 1:16-17; Heb 1:2-3,11:3; Rev 4:11

HUMANITY
Man and woman were created in the image of God, without sin and in loving relationship with God. Instead of following God, they chose to disobey Him and sinned, resulting in spiritual and physical death. Because of Adam’s sin, all people inherit a sinful nature and are born spiritually dead, destined for hell. But God, through Jesus Christ, demonstrated his love for sinful humanity to save and restore them to an eternal relationship with Him.

Gen. 1:26-27, 3:1-24; Mat. 25:46; Rom. 3:22-23, 5:8, 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3, 12; Rev. 20:15

SALVATION
God offers salvation as a free gift to all who believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ. God provides salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, which cleanses us from all sin, frees us from the penalty and power of sin, and delivers us from death and eternal separation from God in hell. Salvation is not from good works. God forgives our sins by His grace through our personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. Although God desires all people to be saved, only those who receive Christ and believe in Him for salvation are chosen by God to have eternal life with Him, and once saved, they are kept secure in Christ forever.

Jhn. 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, 6:40, 10:27-30, 11:25, 20:31; Acts 4:12, 13:38-39; Rom. 3:23. 6:11-14, 23, 10:9-13; Eph. 1:3-7, 2:8-9; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Tit. 3:4-7; Heb. 9:22; 1 Jhn. 1:7, 5:11-13; 2 Pet. 3:9

SANCTIFICATION
Through sanctification, God sets us apart for His purposes. Sanctification is threefold: positional, progressive, and ultimate. Positionally, when we put our faith in Christ we are set apart for God. Progressive sanctification occurs as we grow in grace by the power of the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus. Ultimately, children of God will be completely set apart from all sin when taken up to be with Christ.

Jhn. 17:17, 19; Acts 26:18; Rom. 8:28-29, Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 3:18, 7:1; Eph. 2:10, 4:24, 5:25-27; Phil. 1:6, 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 10:10, 14, 12:10; 1 Pet. 1:2

THE CHURCH
The Universal Church is a living spiritual body, of which Jesus Christ is the Head. All those who profess Jesus Christ and have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit belong to the Universal Church. The Scriptures instruct all believers to be in community with a local church for worship, service, fellowship, and spiritual growth. God has commissioned His Church to bring hope to the world by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to help people find and follow Him.

Mat. 16:13-28, 28:18-20; Jhn. 14:1-3; Acts 2:9-11, 41-47, 4:1-16; Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 4:11-13, 5:19-32; Col. 1:24-27; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; Tit. 3:5-6; Heb. 10:24-25

BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
Water baptism and the Lord's Supper are God-ordained ceremonies, instituted by Christ, taught by the Apostles, and practiced by the early Church. They are to be observed by believers until Christ returns. These ordinances reflect our union with Christ and with other believers.

Water baptism portrays important scriptural realities. It proclaims Christ's death and resurrection. It serves public notice to the world of one's new life in Christ. It pictures a believer's death to sin, resurrection to spiritual life, and a new way of living through the power of the Holy Spirit. Baptism does not save, yet every believe, serious in his or her faith, should also be serious about baptism. The command of Scripture is "be baptized." By it, we both please the Lord and declare His reality in our lives and to the world.

Mt. 10:32, 28:19-20; Rom. 6:3-7, 10-11; 1 Cor. 15:1-4

The Lord's Supper is a remembrance and celebration of Christ's death with the elements being symbols of His body and blood. Every believer has a right to partake of the elements of the Lord's Supper, but participation should be preceded by sincere self-examination.

Mt. 26:26-28;1 Cor 11:23-30

END TIMES
The imminent appearing of Jesus Christ at the rapture of the Church is the blessed hope of every believer. Following a time of great tribulation, Jesus Christ will physically return to the earth, condemn Satan and evil, and reign in righteousness forever. Though the time of Christ's return is a mystery known only to the Father Himself, it is as sure as Jesus' first coming. There will be a bodily resurrection; the lost will experience eternal punishment and the saved will experience peace, joy, and the restoration of all things with God forever.

Mt 24-25; Jn 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 15; 1 Th 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; Rev 20-22

Fellowship Values

God-Icon

God

We love God because He first loved us. Our love grows for God when we get to know Him, obey His commands, faithfully endure through difficult times and worship Him in all circumstances.

His-Word-Icon

His Word

We are grounded in God’s Word, the Bible. The Bible reveals who God is and helps us understand what He has done to restore us to Himself and how to come to Him through Jesus. We are also guided by the Bible as it provides for us a blueprint to live a life that responds to God and lovingly responds to others.

People-Icon

People

God loves people. We want to love people the way Christ loves us. This love motivates us to give generously, serve sacrificially, share the truth and grace of Christ, and invest all we are and have to further God’s kingdom in the lives of people.

THE SCRIPTURES
The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed. We believe the Bible is living and active and is to be learned and lived.

2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2:15; 2 Pet. 1:20,21; Mat. 5:18; Jhn. 16:12-13, 17:17; Heb. 4:12; Rom. 10:17; Jas. 1:22

THE GODHEAD
We believe in one God eternally existing in three equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each has the same nature and attributes but is distinct in office and activity.

Mt 28:19; Isa 6:8; Mt 3:16-17; 1 Cor 6:11; 2 Cor 1:21-22; 1 Pet 1:2

GOD THE FATHER
The first person of the Trinity is an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. God the Father orders and directs all things according to His own purpose and pleasure, full of grace and truth. Because of His great love for people, He draws them to Himself, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

Mat. 6:9; Jhn. 1:14, 3:16, 4:23-24, 5:19-24, 6:44; Eph. 1:3-6; Psa. 34:18

THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary to reveal God and redeem sinful humanity. He lived a sinless life and brought Good News to all in a broken world, accomplishing our salvation through His death on the cross as the only mediator between God and humanity. In obedience to the Father, He became our substitutionary sacrifice. He then ascended into Heaven and sits exalted at the right hand of the Father. As Prophet, Priest, and King, He is now our representative before the Father and Head of the Universal Church. Our justification is made sure by His real, physical resurrection from the dead. Our blessed hope is His future return.

Isa. 61:1; Jhn. 1:1- 2,14; Luk. 1:35, 4:18; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 3:24, 8:34; Eph. 1:7; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6:15; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 7:25, 9:24; 1 Pet. 1:3-5, 2:24; 1 Jhn. 2:1-2

THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and during this age to convict people, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, seal, guide, instruct, unite, and empower believers for godly living and service, producing spiritual fruit.

Jhn. 14:26, 16:8-11; 2 Cor. 3:6; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13-14, 2:10, 5:18; 1 Cor. 12; Jhn. 3:1-8, 15:16; Gal. 5:16-25

CREATION
God created, out of nothing, all things in heaven and earth for His glory, and they exist by His power.

Gen 1:1; Col 1:16-17; Heb 1:2-3,11:3; Rev 4:11

HUMANITY
Man and woman were created in the image of God, without sin and in loving relationship with God. Instead of following God, they chose to disobey Him and sinned, resulting in spiritual and physical death. Because of Adam’s sin, all people inherit a sinful nature and are born spiritually dead, destined for hell. But God, through Jesus Christ, demonstrated his love for sinful humanity to save and restore them to an eternal relationship with Him.

Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:2-3,11:3; Rev. 4:11

SALVATION
God offers salvation as a free gift to all who believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ. God provides salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, which cleanses us from all sin, frees us from the penalty and power of sin, and delivers us from death and eternal separation from God in hell. Salvation is not from good works. God forgives our sins by His grace through our personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. Although God desires all people to be saved, only those who receive Christ and believe in Him for salvation are chosen by God to have eternal life with Him, and once saved, they are kept secure in Christ forever.

Jhn. 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, 6:40, 10:27-30, 11:25, 20:31; Acts 4:12, 13:38-39; Rom. 3:23. 6:11-14, 23, 10:9-13; Eph. 1:3-7, 2:8-9; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Tit. 3:4-7; Heb. 9:22; 1 Jhn. 1:7, 5:11-13; 2 Pet. 3:9

SANCTIFICATION
Through sanctification, God sets us apart for His purposes. Sanctification is threefold: positional, progressive, and ultimate. Positionally, when we put our faith in Christ we are set apart for God. Progressive sanctification occurs as we grow in grace by the power of the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus. Ultimately, children of God will be completely set apart from all sin when taken up to be with Christ.

Jhn. 17:17, 19; Acts 26:18; Rom. 8:28-29, Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 3:18, 7:1; Eph. 2:10, 4:24, 5:25-27; Phil. 1:6, 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 10:10, 14, 12:10; 1 Pet. 1:2

THE CHURCH
The Universal Church is a living spiritual body, of which Jesus Christ is the Head. All those who profess Jesus Christ and have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit belong to the Universal Church. The Scriptures instruct all believers to be in community with a local church for worship, service, fellowship, and spiritual growth. God has commissioned His Church to bring hope to the world by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to help people find and follow Him.

Mat. 16:13-28, 28:18-20, 24:36, 24-25; Jhn. 14:1-3; Acts 2:9-11, 41-47, 4:1-16; Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 24; 4:11-13, 5:19-32; Col. 1:24-27; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; Tit. 3:5-6; Heb. 10:24-25

BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
Water baptism and the Lord's Supper are God-ordained ceremonies, instituted by Christ, taught by the Apostles, and practiced by the early Church. They are to be observed by believers until Christ returns. These ordinances reflect our union with Christ and with other believers.

Water baptism portrays important scriptural realities. It proclaims Christ's death and resurrection. It serves public notice to the world of one's new life in Christ. It pictures a believer's death to sin, resurrection to spiritual life, and a new way of living through the power of the Holy Spirit. Baptism does not save, yet every believe, serious in his or her faith, should also be serious about baptism. The command of Scripture is "be baptized." By it, we both please the Lord and declare His reality in our lives and to the world.

Mt. 10:32, 28:19-20; Rom. 6:3-7, 10-11; 1 Cor. 15:1-4

The Lord's Supper is a remembrance and celebration of Christ's death with the elements being symbols of His body and blood. Every believer has a right to partake of the elements of the Lord's Supper, but participation should be preceded by sincere self-examination.

Mt. 26:26-28;1 Cor 11:23-30

END TIMES
The imminent appearing of Jesus Christ at the rapture of the Church is the blessed hope of every believer. Following a time of great tribulation, Jesus Christ will physically return to the earth, condemn Satan and evil, and reign in righteousness forever. Though the time of Christ's return is a mystery known only to the Father Himself, it is as sure as Jesus' first coming. There will be a bodily resurrection; the lost will experience eternal punishment and the saved will experience peace, joy, and the restoration of all things with God forever.

Mt 24-25; Jn 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 15; 1 Th 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; Rev 20-22

Quotations
“I love serving on the elder team because I get to serve with people who genuinely love God and others and who are singularly focused on helping people find and follow Jesus. It has also pushed me to deepen my relationship with Jesus"

RICH M. | TOPEKA, KS

Our Team

Leadership

JoeHishmeh
Joe Hishmeh

Lead Pastor | Elder

KatieGeiger
Katie Geiger

Lead Pastor Administrative Assistant

BrianTryhus
Brian Tryhus

Pastor of Ministries

Discipleship

JeremyWynne
Jeremy Wynne

Adult Discipleship Team Lead

AngieStewart
Angie Stewart

Discipleship Administrative Assistant

MeganLockard
Megan Lockard

Women’s Ministry Director

CodyLekan
Cody Lekan

Community Groups Director

ShawnaSlack
Shawna Slack

Guest Services Coordinator

LiamWeingartner
Liam Weingartner

Connections Director

Family

DougCongdon
Doug Congdon

Family Ministry Lead

RyanGoetzmann
Ryan Goetzmann

Middle School Coordinator | Young Adult Coordinator

KendraJellison
Kendra Jellison

Elementary Coordinator

LillyLekan
Lilly Lekan

Nursery Coordinator

KielynSmith
Kielyn Smith

Children’s Director

JennieSteinhoff
Jennie Steinhoff

Family Ministry Administrative Assistant

TimWalker
Tim Walker

Student Director

AmyWeatherford
Amy Weatherford

Student Coordinator | Young Adult Coordinator

AlliWeingartner
Alli Weingartner

Preschool Coordinator

Lifecare

FrankEschmann
Frank Eschmann

LifeCare Ministry Lead

BobFulmer
Bob Fulmer

Marriage Director

LorraineHaug
Lorraine Haug

LifeCare Director

JennieSteinhoff
Jennie Steinhoff

LifeCare Administrative Assistant

Operations

MargaretBengtson
Margaret Bengtson

Facilities Support

KylerCogburn
Kyler Cogburn

Creative Arts | Visual Media Coordinator

DaltonEnt
Dalton Ent

Tech Arts | Associate Director

EvaGentry
Eva Gentry

Financial Administrative Assistant

BrianGuest
Brian Guest

Facilities Support

BenHarwood
Ben Harwood

Creative Arts | Video Content Coordinator

WyattJohnston
Wyatt Johnston

Arts Director

MaryKemper
Mary Kemper

Office Administrative Assistant

LianaKirkevold
Liana Kirkevold

Facilities Support

StevePoage
Steve Poage

Treasurer | Finances

BruceTidball
Bruce Tidball

Facilities Director

NathanWalker
Nathan Walker

Tech Arts | Support Technician

EmmaWittmer
Emma Wittmer

Creative Arts | Digital Media Coordinator

Outreach

JeremyWynne
Jeremy Wynne

Interim Outreach Ministry Lead

AngieStewart
Angie Stewart

Outreach Administrative Assistant

BrodyLumpkins
Brody Lumpkins

Local Outreach Coordinator

CaroleDenton
Carole Denton

Welcome Coordinator

BobStoller
Bob Stoller

Global Outreach Coordinator

Worship Arts

BillHorn
Bill Horn

Worship Ministry Lead

BenHarwood
Ben Harwood

Surge Worship Coordinator

ParkerGreen
Parker Green

Worship Ministry Administrative Assistant | Mountain Worship Coordinator

Elders

GregArmbruster
Greg Armbruster
BillHess
Bill Hess
JoeHishmeh
Joe Hishmeh
CurtisKlamm
Curtis Klamm
RichMcKee
Rich McKee
Steve Prieb
Steve Prieb
DarynSchmidt
Daryn Schmidt
RickTague
Rick Tague
BrianTryhus
Brian Tryhus
AlanWynne
Alan Wynne