Unashamed Endurance

In my quiet time, I have been reflecting on the rich history of First Baptist Church alongside the theme selected for our 131st Anniversary.

We are celebrating 131 years of Unashamed LIFE:

In 131 years, countless people have come through the doors of FBC; Men, women, boys, and girls have been saved, healed, delivered, transformed, and ushered Into life abundant and life eternal through Jesus Christ.

We are celebrating 131 years of Unashamed OBEDIENCE:

It took unashamed obedience for a group of African-Americans to heed the voice of God to organize and found a church in Englewood in 1893, especially with the lingering residue of slavery permeating Bergen County, which in the 1800's was the largest slaveholding county in the state.

We are celebrating 131 years of Unashamed VICTORY:

The vision to build and the move from William Street to Englewood Avenue, and the various building projects and purchases have been incredible victories for the church; We are still reaping the benefits of those victories.

We are celebrating 131 years of Unashamed ENDURANCE:

What an incredible witness of endurance for a congregation to have only had seven pastors in 131 years; It speaks to a congregation with the capacity to weather storms and to grow together with leadership.

My prayer is that we continue to carry the mantle of Unashamed L.O.V.E into the bright future that God has for us. May we continue to be a people of life, obedience, victory, and endurance, continuing to, “run with perseverance the race marked out for us...” (Hebrews 12:1)

Growing in Christ

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah