Knowing little about the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) or the Baptist Resource Network (BRN), two organizations FBC Rochester is a part of, the newly merged church invited Dr. Barry Whitworth, executive director for the BRN, to come and introduced them to the BRN.
One year ago, the average worship attendance at FBC Rochester was 16. Now, the average worship attendance is in the low 30’s and the average age of those in attendance is decreasing. We have one senior in high school who walks to church every week. Another high school senior was being brought to church weekly by Senior Pastor Phil Huggins. For the past three weeks, he brought his aunt and she drove him.
The people are inviting their friends and family and we are seeing the church grow numerically.
However, an increase in attendance is not the only way FBC Rochester is growing. In October, former West Hills Baptist Pastor Larry Walker, who now attends FBC Rochester, asked the church to give $1,000 towards North American Mission Board (NAMB) and Disaster Relief (DR) efforts to support the disaster relief work associated with Hurricane Helene.
Four years ago, a heart condition required Walker to step down from his pastoring position at West Hills Baptist. Although we are missing the gift of a wonderful pastor in the pulpit, Larry has been a tremendous blessing to FBC Rochester. He has played a large role in FBC Rochester taking next steps and growing in incredible ways – including encouraging our congregation to give towards Helene relief efforts. He has believed in what God can do with little at FBC Rochester, which fits right in with our 2024 theme: “Nothing is Impossible with God.”
The Sunday Walker proposed this giving, the 32 people present committed to give $2,064 for Helene relief efforts over the month of October. By the month’s end, $2,245 was given. That comes out to $70.16 per person.
We even had a shut in from Emmanuel who has never attended a service or been in the building give toward Helene relief efforts. She watches the service on Facebook and gets a bulletin mailed to her weekly.
As if this was not spectacular enough, at the same time the church was collecting for Helene we were giving toward a new handicap entrance.
To date, $8,265.25 has been given over the past six months. When complete, the entrance will be built solely on this offering. The original plan was to use church savings for this project.
In June, rather than taking up a Mission Dignity offering (historically $150-$200) we took up an offering for Pastor John Watson, the 85-year-old pastor form Emmanual, and his wife, Peggie. That offering was just a little over $2,000.
Last year’s general fund budget was $68,411. The proposed budget for 2025 is $120,000. Now remember this is a church of 30 people. Nothing is impossible with God. Little is much when God is in it!
For the year, Larry and Karen Walker have been praying that God would bless the church numerically, financially and spiritually.
Spiritually, three months ago a couple felt led to begin a youth program. This past Thursday (Nov. 14), there were nine in attendance. Eight are unchurched.
Two wanted a Bible, so we awarded each of them a Bible during a worship service. They read it daily and take it to their after school Bible club. This Thursday (Nov. 21), the church is joining the teens in decorating the church for Christmas. Two rooms were cleaned up and are now dedicated to the teens.
Additionally, there have been more baptisms in 2024 than in the previous eight years.
First Baptist Church of Rochester has also hosted bluegrass gospel band Chosen Road, who are a part of the NAMB Small Church and Revitalization network. Last year, Chosen Road held a concert at the Grand Ole Opry, then at the SBC Annual meeting, and then at FBC Rochester.
The band enjoyed their first show at FBC Rochester so much that they called and asked if they could return. This was especially exciting for a church of 30 to host, by request, a national group who normally sings before thousands.
A BRN Evangelism Grant assisted in covering the cost. Every other month, we have a national artist, group or a local artist/group share at the church. Beaver County is appreciative.
These numbers and next steps may be small for some churches, but for First Baptist Church of Rochester they are proof that God is doing exceedingly and abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine. Nothing is impossible with God!
