Serving the Lake of the Ozarks
First Baptist Church of Camdenton has welcomed families from every corner of the Lake since 1908. If you're looking for a church near the Lake of the Ozarks, here's everything you should know about us.
186 S. Business Rt. 5, Camdenton, MO 65020 · Sundays at 10:30 AM
First Baptist Church of Camdenton is a Baptist church located at 186 S. Business Rt. 5 in Camdenton, Missouri. We meet for Sunday worship at 10:30 AM, and we've been gathering at the heart of the Lake of the Ozarks since 1908. Families drive in from Lake Ozark, Osage Beach, Eldon, Macks Creek, and small towns all around the region. This page is a straightforward guide to who we are, what to expect, and how to plan a first visit.
By the Numbers
1908
Founded
Over 118 years gathering in Camdenton.
10:30 AM
Sunday service
About 60 to 75 minutes. Community groups at 9:00 AM.
150–200
Weekly attendance
Large enough to have programs, small enough to know names.
9
Community groups
Sunday morning Bible study groups for every season of life.
Online
Livestream since 2020
Watch live on Sundays or catch up later on our sermons page.
Geography
Camdenton is the seat of Camden County and the geographic center of the Lake of the Ozarks region. We sit on Business Route 5 just south of the Camdenton square, about five minutes from the U.S. 54 / MO 5 split that funnels traffic in from every direction. If you're driving from anywhere on the Lake, you're probably already on a road that points at us.
If your GPS sends you down a county road instead of the highway, double back — the address on Business Rt. 5 is the right one.
Sunday Morning
Two things happen on a typical Sunday morning at FBC Camdenton. At 9:00 AM, community groups meet for age-grouped Bible study. Then at 10:30 AM, the whole congregation gathers in the main sanctuary for worship and the sermon.
We run nine community groups for different ages and seasons of life — college students, young families, empty nesters, men, women, blended groups. Each meets in a different room around the church for about an hour of guided Bible study and prayer. Bring your Bible (or use the app on your phone). Greeters help first-time visitors find the right room.
The main service runs about 60 to 75 minutes. We sing congregational songs (a mix of traditional hymns and contemporary worship), take an offering, and Pastor Cody Harlow preaches expositionally through a book of the Bible. Communion is observed once a month.
We have age-appropriate children's ministry running concurrent with the 10:30 AM service. Check-in is secure, all volunteers are background-checked, and Nursery is available for the youngest visitors.
We've livestreamed the Sunday service since 2020. You can watch live each week or work through past sermons on our sermons archive. If you're trying out FBC from a distance and want to talk to a real person, the contact page goes to our office directly.
Quick Reference
| Area | What we offer |
|---|---|
| Worship style | Blended — traditional hymns and modern worship songs, led by a small worship team. |
| Preaching | Expository, walking through books of the Bible passage by passage. |
| Kids ministry | Yes — nursery through elementary during the 10:30 AM service. Secure check-in. |
| Youth and college | Sunday morning community groups for students plus midweek youth gatherings. |
| Livestream | Yes — on YouTube each Sunday, archived for later viewing. |
| Dress code | None. Jeans, casual, Sunday best — you'll fit either way. |
| Vacation Bible School | Annual summer VBS with kids from across the Lake region. |
| Cost to attend | Free. Visitors are not expected or required to give. |
Common Questions
We're at 186 S. Business Rt. 5 in Camdenton, Missouri, 65020. The building has been at the heart of Camdenton since 1908.
The main worship service is at 10:30 AM every Sunday. Community groups (Bible study) meet beforehand starting at 9:00 AM.
We are a Baptist, Christian church. We hold to historic Baptist convictions about Scripture, salvation through Christ alone, and believer's baptism. Our full statement of faith and denominational affiliation are on the what we believe page.
Yes. We started livestreaming Sunday worship around 2020 and still broadcast every week on YouTube. Past sermons are archived on our sermons page.
About 19 miles from Lake Ozark and 14 miles from Osage Beach, both on U.S. 54. Drive time is roughly 19 to 26 minutes.
Yes. No dress code, no expectation to give, and our greeters are ready to point you toward the right room or seat. Bring the kids.
We'd love to meet you, but if the drive is the deciding factor we want you in a healthy church close to home. Our Lake of the Ozarks church finder guide talks honestly about what to look for in any local church.
No registration, no advance notice needed. Just show up Sunday at 10:30 AM at 186 S. Business Rt. 5 in Camdenton. If you'd rather plan ahead, the link below walks you through everything.
More for visitors from around the Lake
For Lake Ozark families
19 miles east on U.S. 54.
For Osage Beach families
14 miles east on U.S. 54.
For Eldon families
30 miles north on U.S. 54.
For Macks Creek families
15 miles west on U.S. 54.
Lake church finder guide
A neutral guide to finding a church anywhere on the Lake.
Visiting on vacation?
What to know about Sunday morning at the Lake.
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Last updated: 2026
