Beloved Friends,
On November 14, 1954 twenty-eight residents of Maricopa founded First Baptist Church of Maricopa (FBCM). One farmer donated 1.7 acres, other farmers donated the proceeds from their cotton sales, and others pitched in their time and money to build the initial Worship Center, Fellowship Hall, bathrooms, and classroom. In the early 1960s the building was expanded to meet the needs of a growing congregation. The church fell on some hard times after that but in May of 2001, God breathed life back into the church that He had planted on this patch of land in 1954 so that He could make a difference in this community that would grow at break-neck speed in the following years.
These were defining moments for the body of believers known as First Baptist Church of Maricopa. The current body of believers at FBCM have been passed the mantle of stewardship of what God began almost 55 years ago. As your Pastor and shepherd, I believe that this is the greatest threshold ever for the FBCM family. We will be taking a huge leap of faith as we walk with God to make room for the FBCM family now and tomorrow. All of us have experienced the hand of God working in our lives and God intends to use us to touch lives and meet the needs of the people in Maricopa and surrounding areas.
Today we are launching a campaign of God-sized proportions. The task is perhaps the greatest that God will allow in our lifetime. As we launch this effort together, each of us will be asked to make sacrifices that will provide a way for the souls of men, women, boys, and girls of all ages to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Today’s launch will take us into the next generation of changed lives as we teach people to Love God, Love Others, and Serve All.
What a privilege to join with you as we celebrate God’s provision in the past as we passionately dream about a future that focuses on Him!
Will you join with the FBCM family in this journey of “Building For Better Ministry—Now & Tomorrow?”
In His Service and Yours,
Pastor Jim
