Our History is His Story
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18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Our History is His Story – by Pastor Jason Evans
150 years ago, God started our wonderful church and gave it a unique calling to reach and impact Riverside and beyond for His Kingdom. 150 years is a historical milestone for a church. To give you perspective, many churches don’t see a life span of more than 50 years. So, why has God blessed our church with a long rich history?
Because our History is His Story! And His Story is not done!
In the past, God built His story by planting many great visions into His people. A vision to start and build a church. A vision to start a Christian camp. A vision to buy land and relocate to expand the ministry. A vision to start a preschool. A vision to build an apartment building for low-income seniors.
Today, we believe God is giving us a great vision to add to His story!
A vision to revitalize the property to better reach young families and their kids.
What God birthed in me was the original vision of our church.
A vision to expand our school to educate and reach the children of Riverside.
Answer to prayer on how we could utilize the property God gave us.
When a town was founded a church would be built and that building would be the gathering place for city meetings and was the primary place the children of the town would get educated.
We took schools out of the church, then we removed God from the teaching. I wrestled with God and He pressed upon me that He is bringing the children back to the church to be educated.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
We win the children we win the city.
A vision to raise up, train up, and send out the next generation of ministry leaders.
A vision to fund and plant more churches.
The vision God gave our church in the past became our history and the future vision God has placed before us will continue His Story for generations to come.
17 “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Thank Pastor Joe / Diane
As Pastors we do our best to follow God’s leading as we lead His church. Each Pastor in our history paved the way for the next season of ministry.
Some you may be aware of:
Healing after a hard season before you arrived / Paid off church mortgage / Update W/C, / Name change add many more.
Call back to: 1st & 2nd Baptist history. - The historic hiring of Pastor Mary FBR royalty.
Thank Pastor Mary - For answering the call and serving our church. / Bless JP
The first charter members / founders of FBR were young ppl –full of zeal for Christ they planted a church to progress Christianity. Which was one of the first three churches started in Riv. God gave them vision.
During Pastor Winbigler’s pastorate Chinese, Black and Mexican people became prominent social groups in Riv. FBR was instrumental in organizing various Sunday Schools to serve these ppl.
Historically, Baptist churches that served the African American populations were established after the founding of Baptist churches that served white congregations due to segregation. Hence, churches named “First Baptist” were most likely for white Baptist congregations and stabled before and churches named “Second Baptist” where black congregations could gather.
In 1890 Pastor Winbigler helped organize the formation of Second Baptist Riv. and 2 members of FBR became charter members. God gave them vision.
In 1919 FBR foreseeing (vision) a future educational addition. It was an asset to the community and the church. And records indicate membership of the church grew by nearly 200.
Under Dr. Catherwood, work among young ppl received great emphasis. Outreach teams were organized with the young ppl leading the way.
1960: Purchasing this property and building this church it is recorded that leadership stated, “We felt the compelling pressure of the guiding hand of our Lord urging us to the task of building for the generations to come. We have had the faith to believe that to do God’s will today is to build for tomorrow. We know no one can look backward and go forward at the same time”. (Vision)
In the fall of 1964 gave one of our members Mr. James Morrison a vision to build an apartment building. Pastor and the board agreed and in 1968 Mt. Rubidoux Manor built. Now serving low-income seniors.
Church leadership had a vision to start a preschool and in 1966 it opened it’s doors to the families of Riv.
Welcome / FBR - CoTH you look good for 150!
Explanation of program:
We will highlight our churches history in 35 year blocks all the way to the present and sing songs that would have been sung during that era. Afterwards we will celebrate with food like good Christians should. And each family will receive a keepsake booklet to commemorate our churches historic journey. - Thank Keisling family for Mom’s work / Connie / others.
1874-1909: Vision to start (Song Blessed Assurance)
The first charter members / founders of FBR were young ppl –full of zeal for Christ they had a vision to plant a church to progress Christianity. Which was one of the first three churches started in Riv. God gave them vision. Mtg. in homes.
1882 - building dedication / offering taken / mortgage paid off.
During Pastor Winbigler’s pastorate Chinese, Black and Mexican people became prominent social groups in Riv. FBR was instrumental in organizing various Sunday Schools to serve.
Historically, Baptist churches that served the African American populations were established after the founding of Baptist churches that served white congregations due to segregation. Hence, churches named “First Baptist” were most likely for white Baptist congregations and stabled before and churches named “Second Baptist” where black congregations could gather.
In 1890 Pastor Winbigler helped organize the formation of Second Baptist Riv. and 2 members of FBR became charter members. God gave them vision to plant again.
1909-1944: Strong Vision for Evangelism
We reached so many ppl that we outgrew our facilities. Fund raise for church expansion.
Help start T.P. Christian camp.
March AF base grew and FBR started CSO (Christian Service Org)
Letter from our Pastor to our guys at war.
Color guard / Bell - Thank Pitruzello family.
(Song: Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus)
1944-1979: Vision to build
This property and building
Preschool (to educate the children of Riv.
To build a apartment building for seniors
(Song: How great thou art)
1979-2014: Vision to unify
Thank Pastor Joe / Diane
As Pastors we do our best to follow God’s leading as we lead His church. Each Pastor in our history paved the way for the next season of ministry.
Some you may be aware of:
Healing after a hard season before you arrived / Paid off church mortgage / Update W/C, / Name change add many more.
Call back to: 1st & 2nd Baptist history. - The historic hiring of Pastor Mary FBR royalty.
Thank Pastor Mary - For answering the call and serving our church.
JP - video / bless
(Song: Shout to the Lord)
2014-Present
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Dr. Mackie