Letter from the Pastor

Church History – Celebrating 191 years!

• 1834 – First Baptist Church was first organized by Rev Calvin Swain, with the church sharing the schoolhouse for worship.
• 1842 – First Baptist Church was built for a sum of $650 in grain and livestock.
• 1849 – In February 1849, the Articles of Faith and a Covenant recommended by the Ostego Baptist Association and the Michigan State Convention were adopted.
• 1885 – April 1885, the church burnt to the ground; it had stood for 43 years (1842-1885).
• 1885 – The church started rebuilding in August of 1885.
• 1886 – A dedication was held in October 1886.
• 1928 – The church was destroyed again by fire on a Sunday morning in February 1928, 43 years after the rebuild (1885-1928).
• Inspired by faith in God, money was raised for another church with the slogan “over the top for Jesus”.
• 1930 – On a Sunday in February 1930, a dedication service for the new building was held.
• 1955 – In June, discussions began about whether to expand or to build a new church.
• The decision was to build a new church after 40 years of being debt-free (1930-1970).
• 1969 – In May 1969, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new church building.
• 1970 – In June 1970, the church moved into the new building on 402 S Mill St.
• 1995 – The addition of the Family Activity Center was approved in April 1995.
• 1998 – The Family Activity Center was completed in 1998, followed by a dedication ceremony.

What We Believe

We Believe. . .

. . . that the Holy Bible is the Word of the living God: true, inerrant, steadfast, and unchangeable.

(II Timothy 3:16-17)

. . . that there is but one true and living God; and that in the unity of the Godhead there are three, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 43:10; I John 5:7)

. . . that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, the just for the unjust; freely, and by divine appointment of the Father, taking the sinner’s place fully paying his penalty.

(Titus 2:14)

. . . that upon sincere repentance, Godly sorrow for sin, and a whole hearted acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, they who call upon Him may be justified by faith, through His precious blood.

(I John 1:9; Romans 5:1,2)

. . . the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit, the source and power of all acceptable worship and service, who indwells every true believer and is ever present to testify of Christ, seeking to occupy us with Him, and not with ourselves or our experiences.

(John 15:26; 16:13-14; Acts 5:3-4.1:8, Romans 8:9,26-27)

. . . that salvation has been secured by the death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ and is received by faith alone and that the moment we trust in Him as our Savior we pass from death unto everlasting life, justified and accepted before God, made one with Him.

(Hebrews 9:15; John 5:24; Romans 3:23-25,28; Ephesians 1:3; John 17:23: Galatians 2:20, 4:6-7, 5:16)

. . . that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent; that He will descend from Heaven in the clouds of glory.

(I Thessalonians 4:16,17)

. . . that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

(Hebrews 13:8)

Questions?

For any questions, feel free to email us at connect@fbcbrooklyn.org or send a message through the contact box below, and we’ll respond as soon as we can.