
 |
50 years
ago...
|
Foxworthy Baptist
Church began with four families who met in the home of Don & Ellen
Cosby. One month later, they moved to a piece of property, which they
described in this manner:
“...three acres
with an eight-room house, barn, drying shed, garage and other
buildings, located on the corner of Foxworthy Avenue and Quinto Way in
an area with no church of any kind. It is in the center of a growing
suburb with a ten-year plan to develop more homes along with a
shopping center, schools and commercial offices.”
“...Within a one mile
radius of the church, almost two thirds of the land was used for
farming or orchards. Foxworthy Avenue was the main street.
Hillsdale, a narrow, two lane road, came to a dead end at an orchard
just west of Quinto.” |
 |
June 5, 1955... |
Foxworthy Baptist Church founded. Twenty-seven people attended
Sunday School, Church Training & Worship Services that first Sunday as
a mission sponsored jointly by First Baptist Campbell, Alum Rock
Baptist Church and San Jose Baptist Association. This small group
became Foxworthy Baptist Church. One month later, arrangements were
made to purchase the property, at a price of $45,000. |
|
|
August 15, 1955... |
Woman’s
Missionary Society was organized and Ellen Cosby was elected
president. |
|
|
August 17, 1955...
|
The church voted to purchase their first 25 “Broadman Hymnals.” |
|
|
December 25, 1955... |
J.E.
Wales accepted the call as pastor, earning $40 per week. |
 |
December 1955... |
This
Worship Service in the old house in shows how quickly Foxworthy was
outgrowing their facilities. |
|
|
January 4, 1956... |
Cleta Kirby, Loy
Harris & Ellen Cosby were appointed to look into the matter of
purchasing trays & glasses for the observance of the Lord’s Supper.
The church voted to purchase a house trailer for the pastor, J.E.
Wales to live in on the church property. |
 |
May 6, 1956...
|
Ground Breaking
Service for the first building. The foundation was laid one year
later & the building occupied on August 21, 1960. |
|
|
November 11,
1956...
|
The first piano was
purchased for $150. |
|
|
December 2, 1956... |
Olan Kirby & Don
Cosby were ordained as the first deacons at Foxworthy. |
 |
1957... |
Church address changed from 14100 Foxworthy Avenue to
1774 Foxworthy Avenue. |
|
|
January 1958...
|
FBC: A house with the inner walls removed to give
space, a basement partitioned into two departments, a Nursery
building, the once upon-a-time garage, a four-room Junior department,
an office, a house trailer (for pastor to live) and a foundation for
a new building. |
 |
January 26, 1958...
|
Rev. Kenneth Allgood began his ministry as Senior
Pastor. |
|
|
August 21, 1960...
|
Moved into the first unit of new building - four years,
three months & fifteen days after ground breaking.
Imagine the excitement
as they occupied that first building - one which they had prayed for,
sacrificed for and personally helped build! |
 |
February 6,
1963... |
Church voted to start
building process on Sanctuary and Education building. |
 |
January 5, 1964 |
New Sanctuary and
Education building dedicated. |
 |
June 1965 |
Rev. Jerry Harris
began his ministry at FBC as Associate Pastor |
 |
1969...
|
Fellowship
Hall being built |
 |
August 2, 1969... |
Sanctuary burns with $53,000 in damages. |
|
|
December 14,
1969...
|
Sanctuary was rebuilt and congregation moved back in. |
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|
February 1, 1970... |
Rev. Kenneth
Allgood resigned after 12 years of service as Senior Pastor.. |
 |
May 17, 1970... |
Dr. & Mrs.Thurmond George accepted the call as Senior
Pastor and began their ministry on July 1, 1970. |
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|
August 5, 1970...
|
The first issue of the “Foxworthy Newsette” was
printed. |
 |
October 7, 1970...
|
Foxworthy members voted to purchase 2 buses and start a
Bus Ministry |
 |
November 22,
1970...
|
Shelden Russell accepted the call of Minister of Music
and Adult Education Director and began his work on January 1, 1971. |
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|
December 9, 1970...
|
Fred Glass & Charlie
Wright were voted in as the first two Sunday Route bus drivers. |
 |
January 6, 1971...
|
Dick Crider was
called as Youth Director. |
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|
July 7, 1971...
|
Fleming Ave. Baptist
Church requested to become a mission of Foxworthy. |
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|
July 7, 1971... |
FBC granted
permission to Valley Christian Schools to use classrooms during the
1971-1972 school year. |
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|
April 9, 1972... |
FBC went to two
Sunday Schools and two Worship Services. |
|
|
August 20, 1972... |
Oscar Ledbetter was
hired as full time Pastor of Fleming Avenue Baptist Church. |
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|
October 4, 1972... |
Church radio
program began, 5 days a week, 15 minutes each day. |
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|
October
4, 1972... |
John Hunter began a
Hungarian Mission at Foxworthy. |
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|
July 9, 1973... |
Dick Crider
resigned as Youth Pastor. |
 |
August
12, 1973... |
Ron Pratt was called
as Youth Pastor. |
|
|
August 20, 1973... |
The 5th bus was
purchased. |
|
|
October 1, 1973...
|
FBC began a Day Care
School. |
 |
March 10, 1974... |
The
church library was opened with Martha Washington Allen, librarian. |
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|
October 9, 1974...
|
Joe Caldwell was
called as Minister of Outreach. |
|
|
October 9, 1974..
|
Fleming Avenue changed
to Memorial Spanish Church, still a mission of FBC. |
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|
October 9, 1974
... |
The
Library reported having 1500 books. |
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|
February 27,
1975 ... |
Dr. William Osborn was
voted to fill the position of Family Counselor. |
|
|
July 7, 1975...
|
Construction of the
new 2 story & basement Education Building began. |
 |
July 30, 1975...
|
Ed Adams was called as
Minister of Education. |
 |
January 4, 1976...
|
New Education building
completed and occupied. |
|
|
October 1976...
|
Jerry Harris resigned
to become a missionary to Barbados. |
 |
May 8, 1977... |
John Andrews was voted
as College & Career Minister. |
|
|
August 1, 1977...
|
Donna McLemore began
as full time staff member to work with Senior Citizens. |
|
|
October 5, 1977... |
Andy Walker was voted
in as Minister of Outreach. |
|
|
October 5, 1977...
|
A van was purchased
for the Senior Adult Ministry. |
|
|
January 4, 1978... |
Rev. Katona was
called to be part time pastor of the Hungarian Mission. |
 |
November 26,
1978...
|
Rawlin Warta was
called as Minister of Youth. |
|
|
March 1979...
|
Martha Allen reported
that after 5 years the Library has 6400 books and audiovisuals. |
|
|
April 9, 1979... |
BR
Bliss was elected Media Center Director. |
|
|
April 9, 1979...
|
Chris Evans was licensed to preach. |
 |
June 10, 1979... |
Rick Pribbernow
was hired as “Children Worker.” |
|
|
April 30, 1980... |
Dr. William
(Bill) Hendricks was elected as Interim Senior Pastor. |
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|
September 2,
1980...
|
Church voted to
proceed with Phase I of the renovations to the Fellowship Hall and
relocation of the Media Center. |
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September 30,
1980...
|
The Day Care Center
closed. |
|
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January 1981... |
A church
parsonage was purchased. |
|
|
January 7, 1981...
|
Korean Baptist Church
of San Mateo became a mission of Foxworthy. |
 |
January 11, 1981...
|
Dr. James Reimer was
called as Senior Pastor. |
|
|
October 7, 1981... |
Greg McLemore was
hired as Interim Youth Pastor and Howard Coldwell, Jr. as Youth Music
Program leader. |
|
|
October 7, 1981...
|
Church voted to call
Harold Lassiter to the position of Minister of Pastoral Care. |
|
|
October 7, 1981...
|
Church voted for W.M.U.
to sponsor a ‘Friendship International Program’ to teach ladies in the
community to speak English. |
|
|
October 7, 1981... |
Church voted to
sponsor a Boy Scout Troop to be used to reach boys and their families
in our community. |
 |
January 6, 1982... |
Donna
McLemore was employed as Church Growth Coordinator. |
|
|
January 17, 1982... |
Church
voted to call Eddy Parsons as Minister of Outreach and Singles. |
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|
March 24, 1982...
|
Dr. William Schweer
was called as Interim Pastor. |
 |
September 7,
1982... |
Jim
Silvers began his position as Senior Pastor. |
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|
December 8, 1982...
|
Jeff Scott was called as Youth Minister. |
 |
1983... |
Keenager
Ministry began |
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|
January 1, 1983... |
Ed Adams
resigned to join Wayne Stockstill Ministries. |
|
|
January 19, 1983...
|
Chris Evans was called
as an Intern in the area of Developmental Ministry of Singles 30-40
and Drama and New Member Orientation |
|
|
January 19, 1983... |
Mark Walters was
called as Intern in the area of Developmental Ministry of Singles
25-30 and Discipleship. |
 |
March 20, 1983... |
Church voted to call
Don Fugate to serve as Associate Pastor in Ministry of Music and he
began his ministry - April 17, 1983. |
|
|
April 17, 1983...
|
Don Fugate began his
ministry at Foxworthy. |
 |
June 26, 1983... |
Church voted to call
David Jarboe as Minister of Youth. |
|
|
July 13, 1983... |
Don reported that the
Youth are “blooming in the Lord” as they led Back Yard Bible Clubs in
Watsonville. 114 children were enrolled in 2 days at 5 clubs. There
were 60 positive responses and 4 professions of faith including 1
service man and 3 children. |
|
|
August 27, 1983... |
The first computer was
given to the church. |
|
|
August 28, 1983...
|
David Jarboe began his
ministry at Foxworthy |

 |
1984...
 |
Working with Spectrum
Ministries in San Diego, Foxworthy began a ministry to Mexico, led by
David Jarboe, Tim Brewer and Jerry Boggs. Many trips were made over
the years with countless numbers of Foxworthy members involved in
building projects, teaching VBS and ministering to the people in
Mexico. |
|
|
July 17, 1984...
|
Church voted to sell
the Fleming Avenue Property to Santa Clara Korean Baptist Church. |
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|
November 1984... |
Steve
Pope was hired as Minister to College Age |
 |
December 1984...
|
The 1st Annual
Christmas Gift to San Jose was held at the Montgomery Theater. |
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|
July 1985... |
Foxworthy
participated in the
1st Performance Seminar held at Jenness Park, led by Tom de Graaf. |
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|
December 1985...
|
The 2nd Annual
Christmas Gift to San Jose was held at the Montgomery Theater. |
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December 1986...
|
3rd Annual Christmas
Gift to San Jose was held at the Civic Center. |
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|
June 14, 1987...
|
Church voted to enter
a Capital Stewardship Program and look to relocate the church. |
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|
August 2, 1987...
|
Congregation voted to
take the church off of the market. |
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|
October 8, 1987...
|
Church voted to give
the California Baptist Volunteers in Missions our 3 old buses. |
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|
October 11, 1987...
|
Church voted to Adopt
the So. Baptist Church Annuity Plan effective January 1, 1988 for
participation by our ministers. |
|
|
October 25, 1987... |
Church voted to adopt
a room, furnish and staff it at the San Jose Family Shelter through
the Concern for the Poor program. |
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|
November 7, 1987...
|
Church had the first
Senior Adult Crafts Fair at Foxworthy in the Fellowship Hall. |
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|
January 24, 1988...
|
The W.M.U. was working
on a Centennial Quilt portraying the W.M.U. throughout the past 100
years. |
|
|
April 1988...
|
Gene Harrill and Ann
Masters began a weekly Sunday School class at Driftwood Convalescent
Home. |
|
|
May 11, 1988... |
Dorothy Edwards and
Diann Fugate attended the W.M.U. Centennial Celebration in Richmond,
VA. |
|
|
May 22, 1988... |
Children’s Church
began. |
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|
July 24, 1988... |
Renovations on the
Ladies’ restroom was completed. |
|
|
July 24, 1988... |
The Shuttle bus was
purchased. |
|
|
October 9, 1988... |
Rodney Stutzman
was called to serve as a Ministry Assistant to the Associate Pastor. |
|
|
January 8, 1989... |
Church voted to sell
the parsonage on Texas Court and to pay off the remaining existing
bonds. |
|
|
September 10,
1989... |
The sprinkler
system was put in Nursery yard. |
|
|
October 17,1989...
|
Office/Educational
building & Sanctuary suffered damage from earthquake. |
|
|
October 9, 1989... |
Church voted to call
Bill Sims to serve as Interim Pastor beginning October 30, 1989. |
 |
December 3, 1989... |
Bruce Wade was called
as Senior Pastor to begin his ministry January 1, 1990. |
|
|
January 1, 1990... |
Bruce Wade began his
service at Foxworthy. |
 |
March 13, 1990... |
George Weaver was
voted in as Youth Coordinator. |
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|
April 5, 1990... |
Thursday morning
Women’s Bible Study was led by Becky Wade. |
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|
June 3, 1990...
|
Church’s 35th
Anniversary celebrated by Shelden Russell doing a mini-concert. |
|
|
June 6, 1990...
|
Church voted to allow
the Santa Clara Valley Baptist Association to lease office space at
FBC. |
|
|
June 19, 1990... |
Doug & Mary Valkenaar
started a “Preparation for Parenting” class. |
|
|
December 5, 1990... |
Church computer system
was upgraded. |
|
|
April 1991...
|
Easter Celebration had
the best attendance in the last 5 years. |
|
|
April 25, 1991...
|
The purchase of a new
double door refrigerator for the kitchen was approved. |
 |
April 26, 1991... |
Pastor Don, Diann, Gem Moore
& Rod Chatfield led the music for the State Minister’s Conference at
Hume Lake. |
|
|
April 26, 1991... |
FBC purchased 400 new
Baptist Hymnals! |
|
|
October 9, 1991...
|
During his
end-of-the-year report Pastor Don reported that the Christmas Gift to
San Jose continues to be the single largest outreach event of
Foxworthy Baptist Church. Approximately 2000 people attended the 7
performances in 1990. |
 |
December 1991... |
FBC presented The 1st
Annual 8-day Drive Through Living Nativity. |
|
|
1991... |
Computerized lighting
system was installed in Sanctuary and our Christian Education
Scholarship Program was instituted |
|
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January 1992...
|
God’s Olympic’s began |
|
|
February 23,
1992... |
Church voted to
license George Weaver and call him as Minister of Youth to serve in
the Intern Program. |
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February 23,
1992...
|
Church voted to
license Tim Kauk and affirm his ministry in counseling. |
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|
May 1, 1992...
|
Church Bonds were
called in early and paid off. |
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June 5, 1992...
|
Note burning service
on church’s 37th Anniversary. Dr. Thurmond George, special guest. |
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|
June 28, 1992...
|
Voted to enter into a
building use agreement with the Korean Baptist Church of the World
Mission from August 1, 1992 through July 31, 1994 |
|
|
March 1993...
|
Church became
chartered into the AWANA Program - led by Gerry & Susan Vanderford. |
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March 1993...
|
Major renovation of
facilities- Approximately $300,000 given by a church member to pay for
new roofs, painting all buildings, remodeling bathrooms, installing
new walks, new church signs and landscaping and purchase of a new van. |
|
|
April 1993... |
Purchased & installed
a new electric movie screen and the spring of ‘93 marked our first use
of TV for advertising. |
|
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January 1994... |
Church approved to
have the plans to be a site for Golden Gate Seminary Extension. |
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April 1995... |
Youth E-Groups began |
|
|
October 1995... |
FBC voted to give
authority to Operation Share to use our facilities as a weekly food
distribution site. |
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|
February 18-20,
1996... |
Heaven’s Gates/Hell’s
Flame’s outreach was presented |
 |
April 1996... |
FBC voted to name the
library “Martha Washington Allen” in memory of Martha. |
|
|
February 26,
1997... |
FBC votes to sponsor a
new church start in Almaden Valley. |
 |
January
1, 1998... |
Derek Bishop began his
ministry as Minister of Youth |
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|
July 1998... |
Youth Choir tour to
Canada |
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September 1998...
|
Bruce Wade resigns as
Pastor. |
|
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December 1998... |
$15,000 donated to
begin process of paving our parking lots. |
|
|
December 1998... |
15th Annual Christmas
Gift to San Jose |
|
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December 1998... |
Operation Share gives
out 75 food baskets to needy. |
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January 1999...
|
Praise Band and Ladies
Ensembles formed. |
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January 1999...
|
Media Library
renovations were completed |
|
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April 1999...
|
CARE Night begins on
Tuesday nights under the direction of Gary Knox. |
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May 26, 1999...
|
Front & side parking
lots repaired and re-striped. |
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May 1999...
|
Derek Bishop resigns
as Minister of Youth |
|
|
May 1999... |
Gary Knox and George
Weaver hired as Pastoral Interns |
|
|
July 1999...
|
Youth Choir tour to
Glorieta, New Mexico (Centrifuge) |
|
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August 1999...
|
Dr. Mike Stewart
concludes 3 month preaching term. |
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September 1999...
|
George Weaver
ordained to the Gospel ministry. |
|
|
October 1999...
|
1st Annual Church
family campout at KOA, Watsonville (80 in attendance) |
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November 1999... |
Rick Durst concludes 3
month preaching term. |
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December 1999...
|
16th Annual Christmas
Gift to San Jose |
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December 1999...
|
Arturo Velarde
ordained as Pastor of the Hispanic Ministry & Randall Ireland ordained
to the Gospel Ministry and called as Minister of Education to Panama
Baptist Church in Bakersfield. |
|
|
February 2000... |
8 rolls of new
commercial carpet donated to the church. |
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March 2000...
|
Intercessory Prayer
Ministry begins. |
|
|
April 2000... |
George Weaver hired
full-time; church votes to pay Arturo Velarde $500. per month. |
|
|
April 2000... |
Carpet installed in
children’s area and adult classes over the Fellowship Hall. |
 |
May 2000... |
A brand new 15
passenger van donated to church |
|
|
May 2000... |
A gift of new carpet
for the worship center stage is given. |
|
|
May 2000... |
AWANA
completes its 7th year under the leadership of Gerry & Susan
Vanderford. |
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|
May 2000...
|
Mexico Mission Trip |
|
|
June 4, 2000... |
FBC
Celebrates 45th Anniversary
Jerry Harris, guest
speaker, Shelden Russell & Donna McLemore led out in Music Worship.
The service was followed by lunch and a time of sharing and
fellowship. |
|
|
July 10-15, 2000...
|
Youth Choir
participated in Son Power 2000 in Orlando, FL. |
|
|
October 13-15,
2000... |
2nd Annual Family
Campout at KOA. |
 |
November 13-20,
2000... |
FBC’s 1st time as
Operation Christmas Child drop-off station. |
 |
December 2000...
|
17th Annual Christmas
Gift to San Jose |
|
|
December 2000... |
10th Annual
Drive-through Living Nativity |
 |
April 22, 2001... |
FBC voted to
offer John Myers the position of Senior Pastor |
|
|
February , 2001...
|
George Weaver went
home to be with the Lord. |
|
|
March 10, 2001... |
1st Annual All Church
“Old Fashioned Gospel Sing.” |
|
|
May 20, 2001...
|
Pastor John Myers
began his ministry at FBC as Senior Pastor. |
|
|
June
20, 2001... |
FBC voted to allow
Valley Christian Elementary School to use the church facilities. |
 |
June 21, 2001... |
Women’s
Ministry had their first International Fondue Night. |
|
|
July 2001... |
First Annual China
Mission Trip. |
|
|
July 11, 2001...
|
The Media Library
received new carpet. |
|
|
August 2001... |
1st Annual Media
Library Week. |
|
|
Sept. 9, 2001... |
“Fall
Roundup” kicks off the new Sunday School year. |
|
|
Sept. 2001...
|
1st Annual Women’s
‘Mini Retreat’. |
 |
October 2001...
|
5th Annual Family
Campout. |
|
|
October 2001...
|
The first issue of
Women’s Ministry monthly newsletter was published. Also, the Women’s
Ministry voted to sponsor a child through World Vision. |
|
|
November 2001... |
Women’s Ministry put
together 135 Christmas gift bags to take to the Willow Glen
Convalescent Home. This ministry was headed up by Pamela Myers. |
|
|
January 27, 2002...
|
10th Annual God’s
Olympics Opening Ceremonies |
|
|
February 15,
2002... |
Ladies’ Scrapbook and
Craft Nights began |
|
|
April 2002... |
The work on the new
baptistry and stage reconstruction began and bids for the new awnings
outside of the sanctuary are being accepted. |
 |
May 17, 2002... |
Children’s Summer
Program “F.U.N.K.” begins led by Elizabeth Ketterer. |
 |
May 2002... |
Annual Dinner Theater
under the direction of Cinda Brewer & Gene Martinez. |
|
|
June 19, 2002... |
Children’s ‘Veggie
Tale’ summer begins, led by Sandi Flowers. |
 |
July 2002... |
John Flowers
accepted the position of AWANA Commander. |
|
|
July 17, 2002... |
FBC voted to
commission Gerry and Susan Vanderford into the mission work as AWANA
Missionaries. |
|
|
July 21, 2002... |
Fellowship honoring
Gerry & Susan Vanderford for their leadership in AWANA. |
|
|
September 8,
2002... |
AWANA begins again
under the learership of John & Sandi Flowers. |
 |
April
17, 2003... |
Pastor Don and
Diann Fugate celebrated their 20th year of ministry at FBC. |
|
|
April 26, 2003... |
Men’s Ministry
monthly breakfast meetings begins. |
|
|
June 14, 2003... |
New Members
“FUSION”
class begins. |
|
|
July 2003... |
Adult Joy Choir Tour
to Hawaii. |
 |
December 2003... |
20th Annual
Christmas Gift to San Jose |
|
|
May 2004... |
The Media Library
celebrated its 30 year anniversary. |
|
|
June 2004... |
Emilio Herrera and
Steve Alexander were ordained as deacons. |
 |
June 13, 2004... |
Pastor Don Fugate
completed the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Worship Studies
from the Institute for Worship Studies in Orange Park, FL. |
 |
July 2004... |
Adult Joy choir
Ministry Tour to Washington & Victoria, Canada. |
 |
September 25,
2004... |
40 Days of Purpose
Campaign begins. |
|
|
November 2004...
|
Church Clothes Closet
opens. |
 |
November 2004...
|
Operation Christmas
Child received over 20,000 shoeboxes! |
|
|
January 19, 2005... |
“On Track”
Discipleship classes begin. |
|
|
May 2005... |
Parking lots
were repaved and striped. |


|
June 4 - 5, 2005..
. |
FBC celebrates
God's faithfulness through 50 years of ministry! |