First Baptist Church, Jasper, celebrated its 125th anniversary in October and the church gave itself quite a party.
Martha Anthony, who served as a pastoral and financial secretary at First, Jasper, for 22 years, helped organize the event.
“Personally, it was an exciting time,” she said. “We had former members and pastors come back to worship with us.”
The Oct. 12 special morning worship service lasted for nearly two hours. Walter Nunn and Michael Adams, two of the church’s former pastors, preached while another former pastor, Glenn Weekly, sent a message to the church via video. Afterward, the church served lunch and then featured a special music program that afternoon.
James Newell, the current pastor at First, Jasper, who has served the church for nearly two years, said it was an enjoyable way to identify the milestone and historic event.
“It was a celebration of the past and a commitment to the future,” he said. “We are looking forward to be faithful to what the Lord has called us to.”
Bob Forbus, who has been a member of the church since 1971, said the celebration was meaningful to him.
“This church is a part of me,” he said. “At the 100th celebration, 25 years ago, my youngest child was the youngest person in our church and was featured alongside the oldest member.”
The look at history made Forbus see the importance that each generation of church members play in each other’s lives.
“I look back over the years and think about those saints who have gone on who once mentored me,” he said. “Now I see I am responsible to mentor others.”
Newell said the church also took some time on its anniversary to reflect on its purpose statement. “We are committed to ‘Worship, Witness and Walk in the Word,’” he said. “We revisited and reaffirmed these things.”
A book of memories
In honor of the event, Anthony compiled a summary of the church’s history and put it into booklet form.
Fred Nichols, a member for 48 years, served as the communications chairman.
“A Walker College professor had written a history for our church’s 100th anniversary,” Anthony said. “I updated it using minutes from business meetings, newspaper articles and memories I have.”
“We don’t want to make the same mistakes,” Nichols said. “Also, as we celebrated it increased the enthusiasm in the congregation.”
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