History is a memory of past events and achievements written or oral. The further backwards you can look, the further forward, you are likely to see. Looking back 115 years, we would like to share some of the highlights of the history of our church. The Union Grove Baptist Church, Inc has truly been blessed and we pause to give God the glory and honor for the very rich history of our church and for the many lives that He has changed over 115 years.
In 1887, God inspired a group of God-fearing, Bible-believing Christians to gather under the shady branches of a bush harbor tree to praise and worship, thus establishing the Union Grove Baptist Church. As the membership grew, land was granted on Robins AFB to build a sanctuary. In 1940, the church was relocated to its current location, 809 South Davis Drive, due to construction on Robins AFB. During the 115 years, God has planted many seeds to go out and spread the good news. He has blessed us with twenty men called by God to serve as Pastor, twenty-four men and women of God have been licensed in the Ministry, twenty-three Deacons have been ordained and the Lord has blessed the membership to grow from a few gathered under the bush harbor to over 500 members. The organization structure of the church and the rules by which we would operate has evolved over the years. The Constitution of Bi-laws and Regulations was established in 1977 and ratified in 1980. The church was incorporated in 1984 and became know as the Union Grove Baptist Church, Incorporated (Inc). During 1993, the Church Council was established and the mission statement was adopted. Union Grove Baptist Church's mission is to "draw people to Christ, provide for their spiritual growth and meet the needs of the church and community." To spread the gospel throughout the community, in 1980 the worship service was broadcast on a gospel radio station and the tape ministry was established in 1986. Over the years our community outreach and fellowship has expanded. The following programs were established: Served as a school for 75 students (1947); Fifth Sunday Fellowship (1974); Children's Church (1979); BTU (1977); Bus Ministry (1982); Outreach and Special Events Committee (1986); Girl Scout Troops (1989); Single's Ministry (1993); New Member's Fellowship (1994); Alcohol & Drug Program (1994); Lunch Program and Community Enhancement Group Life Changers Center (1999).
God has truly blessed us! Over the years, we can clearly see how God has blessed our ministries and has allowed us to continuously expand the church to accommodate the growing membership. In 1966, the church was remodeled to include the following: a choir stand, bathrooms in the front, inside baptismal pool, a three-foot partition around the pulpit, new windows, lights and a steeple. "And the Lord added to the church daily.." (Acts 2:47)… Only ten short years later another expansion was required. In 1976 our Deacons donated over 3,00 hours to build a new fellowship hall. The construction also include the remodeling of the sanctuary, new Sunday School classrooms, restrooms, church office, Pastors' study, nursery, central heating and air, baptismal pool and a fully equipped kitchen. It had been the Church's vision for many years, to build a new sanctuary but it was not until 1994 that a special call meeting was held and the final approval for building a new sanctuary to include a nursery, library and a media room was approved. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 13, 1994. During the construction of the new sanctuary, God touched the heart of the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church to extend their Family Life Center as an outreach to our Church to provide a place where we could conduct worship service during the construction. The dedication service for the new sanctuary was held on October 15, 1995. 6 years later, in February 21, 2001, God blessed us to pay the mortgage in full. What a mighty God we serve! Oh Let Us Magnify the Lord!!
Traditionally, our members have been God-fearing and Bible-believing Christians, who supported the church spiritually, physically and financially. We will continue to be led by the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and spread the gospel through all nations.
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