History
In 1871, First Baptist Church, Longview (FBCL) began with a small group of seventeen people who met at a home in Longview, Texas and organized as a church. The evangelistic efforts of the church’s first pastor, Dr. D.E. Clemons, brought many people to the church. As the membership at FBCL increased, buildings were added. In 1899 the new house of worship was built and served the church for 37 years.
Dr. John Whorton served the church during a phenomenal growth and development period during his ministry from 1925 to 1945. A three story education building was built and three mission stations were established in Longview.
During Dr. W. Morris Ford’s ministry that began in 1945, the church outgrew the old worship center and a new 1700 seat auditorium was completed. A new children’s building was added four years later. And, in 1977 Dr. Charles Holland of Dallas led the church through a $4.5 million dollar education building program which was completed two years later.
Under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Hall, beginning in 1989, the church was among the top twenty-five churches in mission giving and total contributions to the church were $3.2 million. During this same period of time, Sunday school attendance of 1310 moved the church to sixth place among Texas churches in numerical increase in attendance.
In 2002, the 30,000 square feet Recreation Outreach Center (ROC) was completed, debt free. During this year, the church completed a successful fall emphasis entitled, Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.
2003 was an important year for FBCL. Pastor Tim Watson was called as pastor. He established a contemporary worship service, which was in addition to the already established traditional service. The church began an upward growth that has continued until the present date. Also during 2003 a new Minister of Recreation/Evangelism was added to the FBCL staff. The Upward Basketball ministry was started and the church developed and successfully carried out the Experiencing God Together emphasis.
In 2004, seventy new parking spaces were added and the Children’s Building was renovated at a cost of $425,000. A 40 Days of Community emphasis was planned and carried out to help the church focus on community in the church. The church also established a School Supply Train in 2004 to meet the needs of the local community children.
In 2005, a master plan was developed to update the church facilities over the next ten years, a new Minister of Missions / Prayer was called, a reorganization plan was developed for administrative staff and facilities needs to become more efficient, and missions’ giving was at an all time high with $717, 977 given during the year.
During 2006 to present a Minister to Students, Associate Pastor / Minister to Senior Adults and a Minister of Music and Worship have been added which has provided the church with a full staff. The church is in a Capital Campaign that will update the facilities to provide needed space and improvements to further serve the Lord in our community.
Dr. John Whorton served the church during a phenomenal growth and development period during his ministry from 1925 to 1945. A three story education building was built and three mission stations were established in Longview.
During Dr. W. Morris Ford’s ministry that began in 1945, the church outgrew the old worship center and a new 1700 seat auditorium was completed. A new children’s building was added four years later. And, in 1977 Dr. Charles Holland of Dallas led the church through a $4.5 million dollar education building program which was completed two years later.
Under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Hall, beginning in 1989, the church was among the top twenty-five churches in mission giving and total contributions to the church were $3.2 million. During this same period of time, Sunday school attendance of 1310 moved the church to sixth place among Texas churches in numerical increase in attendance.
In 2002, the 30,000 square feet Recreation Outreach Center (ROC) was completed, debt free. During this year, the church completed a successful fall emphasis entitled, Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.
2003 was an important year for FBCL. Pastor Tim Watson was called as pastor. He established a contemporary worship service, which was in addition to the already established traditional service. The church began an upward growth that has continued until the present date. Also during 2003 a new Minister of Recreation/Evangelism was added to the FBCL staff. The Upward Basketball ministry was started and the church developed and successfully carried out the Experiencing God Together emphasis.
In 2004, seventy new parking spaces were added and the Children’s Building was renovated at a cost of $425,000. A 40 Days of Community emphasis was planned and carried out to help the church focus on community in the church. The church also established a School Supply Train in 2004 to meet the needs of the local community children.
In 2005, a master plan was developed to update the church facilities over the next ten years, a new Minister of Missions / Prayer was called, a reorganization plan was developed for administrative staff and facilities needs to become more efficient, and missions’ giving was at an all time high with $717, 977 given during the year.
During 2006 to present a Minister to Students, Associate Pastor / Minister to Senior Adults and a Minister of Music and Worship have been added which has provided the church with a full staff. The church is in a Capital Campaign that will update the facilities to provide needed space and improvements to further serve the Lord in our community.