If the idea of walking into a new church—especially a Baptist one—makes your palms sweat, I get it. I’ve PCS’d more times than I can count and have been the nervous new guy in the new church myself. So I’m giving it to you straight, Airman to Airman, family to family. No hype. No weird stuff. Just the truth.

If you just PCS’d to Scott Air Force Base, got orders to the 375th Air Mobility Wing, or you’re a DOD civilian settling into MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, you already know one truth: finding the right church for your family in a new assignment feels exactly like trying to land a C-17 in a crosswind—possible, but you’d love a little help from someone who’s been there.

That’s why military and civilian families across St. Clair County have a great choice in First Baptist Church Mascoutah (FBCM)—and why we believe your family should too.

Here’s the straight truth from a 28-year Air Force veteran who’s now the Senior Pastor.