First Baptist Church hosts ceremonial note burning

www.neshobademocrat.com
6/9/2010
4:30:00 PM

When a fire flared up in the sanctuary following a Sunday morning service at First Baptist Church, a feeling of thankfulness stirred among members of the church's congregation.

This blaze consumed a "paid in full" bank note representing $1,600,073 in borrowed funds which helped finance the building construction, renovation and land acquisition program begun by First Baptist Church in 1999.

Supervising the burning ceremony were Dr. Daniel Howard, pastor, deacons chairman Bob Henson, finance team chairman Ryan McKay, and Future by Faith Campaign co-chairman Frank Moore.

Major projects included in the program were the addition to the FBC complex of the multi-story Christian Life Center and a top-to-bottom renovation of the church's sanctuary building.

In addition to accommodating Sunday services throughout the renovation of the sanctuary, the life center's full size gymnasium floor has made it possible for First Baptist to sponsor an annual Upward Basketball program open to youngsters in the community who are age eligible.

The center also provides and expands space available for special events sponsored by First Baptist. Additional classrooms, activity rooms and an exercise room are housed in the Christian Life Center.

During its construction an elevator was installed in response to recommendations from congregation members concerned with needs of mobility challenged persons.

It serves each floor of the center and the buildings housing administrative offices and Sunday school and child care classrooms and provides easier access to the sanctuary building.

Members providing volunteer service through building committee tasks included Rebecca Barnett, Scott Bounds, David Byars, Willie Jackson, Ellen Kilgore, Frank Moore, Patricia Perry, Stan Yates and the late Glen Perry.

Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: "Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the LORD and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple." 2 Kings 22:9