Church History
Life at any church is looking ahead to see what God’s will and God’s direction is for it. Today we pause for a moment to reflect on what God has done in the past and to look ahead for His will and our future.
Fannin Road was established as Trinity Bible Church in 1974 under the leadership of Pastor E.W. Blow. Trinity Bible Church knew four temporary homes: The home of a member, Griel Memorial Chapel, Faith Rescue Mission, and Westview Garden Club. In 1985, by God’s grace and the faithfulness and sacrifice of many of His people, construction was completed here on Fannin Road.
In 1974, Bro. Blow had a ministry at Maxwell Federal Prison. It was there that a prisoner, hearing of the newly-formed church, gave the first building fund offering—three one-dollar bills.
In late 1981, a church member, Dorothy Hatfield donated the land for the current church building, and in November of that year the first regular building fund offering was taken. Groundbreaking for the new building was held in May of 1982, and work progressed as the Lord provided funds.
Brother Blow went home to be with the Lord in December of 1983, and the church called Bro. Paul Hall as interim pastor for six months. Bro. Ralph Davis was called as pastor following the interim period.
In March of 1985, Bro. Ray Hayes was called as pastor. Also in 1985 a special sacrifice offering was taken to finish the building. That Sunday our people gave through a love offering of $5000, enabling us to finish the present building. On June 9, 1985, we dedicated our new church home to the Lord. Toward the end of 1985, in October of that year, we began our Faith Promise Giving Program which allowed us to begin supporting mission works around the world.
In January of 1986, the church voted to change the name of Trinity Bible Church to Fannin RoadBaptist Church. In June of that same year Fannin Road became debt free, and we were able toburn the mortgage at our 2nd annual Homecoming.
In 1990, through God’s provision we purchased a double-wide mobile home for a much neededSunday School and fellowship hall.
God led Bro. Hayes into a counseling ministry through our local church. He was burdened for troubled lives, and God opened the doors of service at the Faith Rescue Mission Farm reaching many outside of our church family. Bro. Hayes went home to be with the Lord in February of 1998.
God sent many able men to fill the pulpit as we continued to pray for a pastor, and in August of 1998 Bro. Jim Lester was called to Fannin Road.
In January of 2001, we were given the opportunity to minister to the folks at South Haven NursingHome. Each Sunday at 2pm we hold a special service for these dear forgotten saints. God hasrichly blessed with faithful workers and good attendance.
In September of 2002, a Juvenile Detention Ministry was given roots by Brother Ronnie Hall. Onsecond Tuesday of each month, our church took the Gospel through preaching, song, andtestimonies, to young men at the Air Base Boot Camp. Currently, we are awaiting the restructureof this program and will continue as soon as the Lord allows.
In May of 2003, we added the Young At Heart Ministry to our church outreach. Currently this is led by Sister Nancy Hayes and has 19 members. The only requirements are you have to be “50 or older” and love the Lord.
2004 was a very busy year for Fannin Road Baptist Church! We began our 1st semester at Faith Bible Institute with an enrollment of 18 students. Class is held each Monday night. This is a great opportunity to learn God’s Word through Theology, Old Testament and New Testament study. Our first graduation was held in 2007.
Also in 2004, we began several new programs for our youth of which is our Patch the Pirate Club, led by Brother Wade and Sister Diane Hill. Children up to the 6th grade learn much from God’s Word through this wonderful musical program, all centered on the Word of God. In 2007, Pee-Wee Patch was started. Pee-Wee Patch is a younger version of the Patch the Pirate Club. The children are of pre-school age These clubs meet each Sunday evening at 6pm.
Along with our Patch Club we saw a need to reach Children on Wednesday nights. From this sprang a ministry we first called Ricky’s Kids after Brother Ricky Segars who led this ministry where children held their own prayer meeting filled with prayer requests, Bible study, game time, and sometimes even an apple. In 2007, we divided the Children into three groups: King's Kids (Kindergarten - 2nd grade), Pathfinders (3rd - 6th grade), and Teens (7th – 12th grade). Please pray, for these programs which have grown by leaps and bounds.
2005 started out with a bang! God called us a Youth Pastor/Associate, Brother Trent Hollen.Trent hit the ground running and the church was a buzz with all the new activities going on from Biscuits baseball to white water rafting. In late 2007, Brother John Hale was called as our new Youth Pastor/Associate, and he joined with us in February 2008.
Also in 2005, our Bus Ministry was restructured with three families involved in this special ministry. Heading up this program was Brother Joe and Sister Tammy Sanders. In addition to our 15 passenger van, the church purchased a 40 passenger bus. In 2007, an additional 15 passenger van was purchased. We now have over seven families involved with the Bus Ministry. Please continue to pray as we minister to the many trailer parks, housing area, and to those who must be reached with the Gospel, our children.
Proverbs 29:18 says “Where there is no vision, the people perish……” God has given our church a vision for a lost and dying world. We currently support 14 mission works around the world and each Saturday a team from our GROW program “Go Reach Our World” visits our mission field. Everyone in our church gets the opportunity to go Soul Winning one Saturday a month. Where is your vision for the lost? This is our heartbeat, why? John 3:16!! He gave so much, and yet we give so little. Make this your vision and get started now.
Today, as many as one hundred and fifty people call Fannin Road Baptist Church home. We arequickly outgrowing this current building and need to either build, or buy an existing structure. We need to be continually moving forward for the Lord. In His timing He will meet and supply our needs.
We don’t know what the future will hold, but are you willing to be a part of that? Are you willing to pray, to seek, and to yield yourselves over to the work God? God wants to use you!
