Northside Baptist Church in Calera is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention

and is pastored by Joel Sizemore. The church was founded at its present location in 1970 and has been growing ever since.

Sizemore is a graduate of Calera High School, Samford University in Birmingham and Southwestern Theological Seminary.

Before coming to Northside, he served at churches in Louisiana, Texas, Wyoming and other parts of Alabama.

The church has taken on numerous initiatives in the past years including disaster relief teams that provided meals and assistance in damaged areas of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Along with the hurricane ministry, the church has also been a regular giver to the Shelby Baptist food bank.

On an international level, the church currently has ministries supporting areas of Mexico, San Salvador and Guatemala.

&8220;We helped feed, provide temporary housing and personal hygiene kits for survivors of Hurricane Daniel in Mezquital, Mexico.&8221;

The church also adopted the House of Mercy Orphanage in Reynosa, Mexico, moving the organization into a new building in July.

Sizemore believes the church plays a key role in society.

&8220;The church leads, helps, provides spiritual guidance and education,&8221; he said. &8220;It offers comfort and hope to those who are grieving or without hope, offers friendship, fellowship and love.&8221;

When asked how Northside ministers to the community and surrounding areas Sizemore said, &8220;We work together to assist those having personal problems.&8221;

Sizemore said one such effort included feeding 70 people through the Baptist Campus Ministry.

Contact information:

Northside Baptist Church

740 14th Street

Calera, Alabama 35040

Phone: 668-0192

Worship schedule:

Sunday Bible Study – 9 a.m.

Sunday Worship – 10 a.m.

Hispanic Bible Study – 10 a.m.

Sunday Evening – 5 p.m