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100 Years of Life at Rawls

Explore generations of life at Rawls Baptist Church in Fuquay-Varina through worship, ministry, fellowship, service, community events, and the places that have shaped our story.

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All Church Life Ministries Outreach Events Buildings & Grounds

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All Collections 2005 Expansion 2018 Pew Installation 2018 Steeple Installation Backyard Bible Club Calyx Living Children Christmas Church Fellowship Night of Worship Parsonage Praise Team Rawls Cemetery Revival Sanctuary Renovation Southern Baptist Convention Sunday School Sunday Worship Trunk or Treat Velos Wednesday Bible Study

Church Life

Moments of worship, fellowship, friendship, and life together across generations at Rawls Baptist Church.

Brandon and Susanna Gaster with their children outside the sanctuary entrance at Rawls Baptist Church.

Members of Rawls Baptist Church visiting together in the sanctuary.

Members of Rawls Baptist Church talking together during a time of fellowship.

Members of Rawls Baptist Church visiting together near the fellowship hall.

Three members of Rawls Baptist Church sharing a conversation in the sanctuary.

Women talking together after Sunday worship at Rawls Baptist Church.

Members of Rawls Baptist Church sharing a fellowship meal together.

The Rawls Baptist Church congregation gathered for a fellowship meal.

Members of Rawls Baptist Church visiting over a fellowship meal.

Members of Rawls Baptist Church visiting together among the sanctuary pews.

Members of Rawls Baptist Church talking together in the sanctuary pews.

Pastor Brandon Gaster with Susanna and their children at the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

A new member standing before the Rawls Baptist Church congregation during a church membership vote.

Pastor Brandon preaching from the pulpit during Sunday worship at Rawls Baptist Church.

Congregation gathered in the sanctuary during Sunday worship at Rawls Baptist Church.

Wednesday evening Bible Study at Rawls Baptist Church in Fuquay-Varina.

Pastor Brandon teaching during Wednesday Bible Study at Rawls Baptist Church.

Congregation gathered during Wednesday evening Bible Study at Rawls Baptist Church.

A portrait of longtime church historian Mattie Rawls.

A couple seated together during the church Valentine’s Dinner.

Church members sharing live music and fellowship during the Valentine’s Dinner.

Four Rawls Baptist Church members sharing a moment of fellowship.

Two young women at the church piano beside the Sunday attendance board.

Keith and Martha Matley standing in front of Rawls Baptist Church.

Ministries

The ministries and programs through which generations have learned, grown, served, and shared their faith.

Children gathered for a Bible lesson during Backyard Bible Club.

Children and volunteers gathered for a group photo during Backyard Bible Club.

A child and volunteer sharing a moment together during Backyard Bible Club.

Children and volunteers working on an outdoor craft during Backyard Bible Club.

Children and adults gathered around tables during Backyard Bible Club.

Children and volunteers participating in outdoor games during Backyard Bible Club.

Children playing on a water slide during Backyard Bible Club.

Children and volunteers gathered together during Backyard Bible Club.

Children spending time together outdoors during Backyard Bible Club.

A child wearing a handmade craft during Backyard Bible Club at Rawls Baptist Church.

A child playing in the nursery at Rawls Baptist Church.

A nursery caregiver holding a baby at Rawls Baptist Church.

Children gathered in a classroom for Children’s Church at Rawls Baptist Church.

Donnie leading Bible study during the Men and Couples Sunday School class at Rawls Baptist Church.

Women gathered together for fellowship at Rawls Baptist Church.

Women gathered for Sunday School and Bible study at Rawls Baptist Church.

Pastor Brandon Gaster preaching during worship at Rawls Baptist Church in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.

Singer and pianist leading worship music at Rawls Baptist Church.

A man reading the Bible during Men’s Ministry at Rawls Baptist Church.

Men gathering for fellowship and a shared meal at Rawls Baptist Church.

Women gathered for Bible study and fellowship at Rawls Baptist Church.

The nursery at Rawls Baptist Church.

The Rawls Baptist Church Praise Team leading worship.

Pastor Brandon Gaster teaching at Rawls Baptist Church.

Susanna Gaster leading worship with children at Rawls Baptist Church.

Men and couples gathered around tables for Sunday School at Rawls Baptist Church.

Men and couples gathered around tables during Sunday School at Rawls Baptist Church.

Praise Team leading worship music during Sunday service at Rawls Baptist Church.

Volunteers serving in the sound booth during Sunday worship at Rawls Baptist Church.

The Rawls Baptist Church youth group gathered at Fort Caswell.

Members of the Women’s Missionary Union gathered for their Christmas supper.

Children and teachers gathered on the church steps during Vacation Bible School.

Women and girls gathered for the GA Mother–Daughter Banquet at Rawls Baptist Church.

Members attending the GA Mother–Daughter Banquet at Rawls Baptist Church.

Outreach

Serving neighbors and communities beyond the walls of the church.

Pastor Brandon teaching during a gathering with residents at Calyx Living.

Members of Rawls Baptist Church sharing music with residents at Calyx Living.

Donnie Simpson teaching during Bible study at Calyx Living in Fuquay-Varina.

The Park for Prayer tent outside Rawls Baptist Church.

Pastor Brandon with his daughter during a Bible study gathering at Calyx Living.

Donnie reading from the Bible during a Bible study at Calyx Living.

John sharing a lighthearted moment during Bible study at Calyx Living.

Susanna Gaster sharing music with residents at Calyx Living in Fuquay-Varina.

Rawls Baptist Church members and Calyx Senior Living residents gathered for Bible study and fellowship.

Velos students participating in a classroom lesson.

Velos student reading to classmates during a classroom activity.

Students and teachers from Velos Classical Christian School together outside.

Velos student practicing handwriting during class.

Velos student giving a presentation to classmates.

Velos students studying together around a globe.

Velos students reading together during class.

Members of Rawls Baptist Church gathered in a prayer circle outdoors.

Events

Gatherings that bring the church and wider community together.

Costumed volunteer beside a Christmas-themed trunk at the Rawls Baptist Church Fall Festival

Fishers of Men-themed trunk decorated with blue lights and a Bible verse at the Rawls Baptist Church Trunk or Treat

Happy Fall Y'all display with pumpkins and autumn decorations at Rawls Baptist Church

Trunk decorated with a rainbow, animal balloons, and colorful decorations at the Rawls Baptist Church Fall Festival

Tractor-themed trunk with hay bales, toy tractors, pumpkins, and yellow flowers at the Rawls Baptist Church Fall Festival

Stuffed bears, woodland animals, and autumn leaves decorating a trunk at Rawls Baptist Church Fall Festival

The Rawls Baptist Church sanctuary decorated with poinsettias, a Christmas tree, wreath, and Advent candles.

A mother playing guitar while her young daughter holds a microphone during Christmas worship.

Donnie preaching from the pulpit beside the Christmas tree during a Christmas service at Rawls Baptist Church.

Pastor Brandon preaching from the pulpit beside the Christmas tree during a Christmas service at Rawls Baptist Church.

Children in costumes posing among pumpkins and fall decorations at Family Fall Fest.

Toy Story themed decorated trunk at Family Fall Fest.

Construction themed decorated trunk at Family Fall Fest.

Tropical themed decorated trunk with a faith-based display at Family Fall Fest.

The congregation gathered in the sanctuary for a Night of Worship at Rawls Baptist Church.

Deacons gathered around the pastor and his family in prayer during revival at Rawls Baptist Church.

A fall-themed decorated trunk with illuminated pumpkins at Rawls Baptist Church Trunk or Treat.

Families walking among decorated trunks during Family Fall Fest at Rawls Baptist Church.

Fall themed decorated trunk with pumpkins and seasonal decorations at Family Fall Fest.

Families and decorated vehicles filling the Rawls Baptist Church parking lot during Trunk or Treat.

Pastor Brandon and visitors among decorated trunks during Trunk or Treat at Rawls Baptist Church.

The pastor and his family seated together among hay bales and fall flowers at Trunk or Treat.

Buildings & Grounds

The buildings, grounds, renovations, and projects that have provided a home for more than a century of ministry.

Entrance to the Rawls Baptist Church Cemetery in Fuquay-Varina.

Three crosses overlooking the Rawls Baptist Church Cemetery after snowfall.

Exterior of the Calyx Living community in Fuquay-Varina.

Exterior of Rawls Baptist Church in Fuquay-Varina.

Exterior of Rawls Baptist Church and the surrounding church campus in Fuquay-Varina.

Rawls Baptist Church at sunset before Wednesday evening Bible Study.

New pews being placed in the sanctuary.

New pew installation in progress in the sanctuary.

The sanctuary after the new pew installation was completed.

A view from the pulpit after the new pew installation.

Mr. Smith seated in one of the new church pews.

The new church steeple being lifted into place by a crane.

The historic church bell prepared for reinstallation.

The new church steeple arriving for installation.

The completed new steeple installed on the church.

A worker securing the cross atop the new church steeple.

The original church steeple after removal for replacement.

The restored inner sanctuary door after renovation.

The sanctuary and pulpit after the 2013–2014 renovation.

A side view of the sanctuary after renovation.

The renovated sanctuary seating and pulpit area.

The rear of the sanctuary after renovation.

New ceiling speakers, lighting, and sound-system updates in the sanctuary.

The pulpit area under construction during the 2013 sanctuary renovation.

The completed choir and pulpit area after the 2013 renovation.

The inner sanctuary doorway before the 2013 renovation.

The front entrance after the 2013 renovation.

The left side of the sanctuary interior before renovation.

A side view toward the front of the sanctuary before renovation.

The center seating area of the sanctuary before renovation.

An angled view of the sanctuary seating before renovation.

The rear section of the sanctuary before renovation.

The sanctuary facing the rear entrance before renovation.

Members gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony for the new fellowship hall and classroom addition.

Construction crews beginning masonry work for the new church addition.

Excavation and early groundwork behind the original church building.

Steel framing rising beside the sanctuary for the new addition.

Roof trusses installed on the new church addition.

The framework of the new fellowship hall rising beside the sanctuary.

Church members checking construction progress on the new addition.

Brickwork nearing completion on the two-story church addition.

A construction sign reading “God welcomes all who come to Him.”

The nearly completed church addition and expanded parking area.

Church members working with shovels and tools during a volunteer workday.

Volunteers installing sidewalks and accessible parking signs.

Members of the men’s work crew after a day of outdoor labor.

Volunteers completing work around the entrance of the new addition.

Volunteers resting together in the parking lot after outdoor work.

The completed two-story church addition beside the historic sanctuary.

The volunteer crew gathered in front of the completed church addition.

The painting donated for the Rawls Baptist Church baptistery.

A side view of Rawls Baptist Church after the brick veneer was completed.

The white wooden Rawls Baptist Church sanctuary before brick veneer was added.

Church leaders gathered on the parsonage steps as Rev. Robert L. Clark received the keys.

Church members taking part in the parsonage note-burning ceremony.

The parsonage nearing completion as exterior brickwork and finishing continued.

The front entrance and roof framing under construction at the parsonage.

The north side of the parsonage during framing and brick foundation work.

The unfinished parsonage exterior with brick stacks beside the building.

The Rawls School House where the first Sunday School gatherings were held.

Rawls Baptist Church after receiving its new brick exterior.