Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Central Baptist Church To Celebrate 70 Years

Sunday, November 9, Central Baptist Church will celebrate its 70th anniversary in the Prescott community.

`Seventy Years: Serving the Savior' is the theme for the special day wich will begin at 9:15 a.m. with coffee, juice and doughnuts for everyone in the fellowship hall. Sunday school will be at 9:45. Morning worship will be at 10:30 with a potluck lunch at noon.

The morning worship will be filled with testimonies of those who have been a part of the church through the years, some wonderful music from Central's sanctuary choir, soloists, and groups. Special recognitions will be made of former members and pastors.

A special part of the celebration will be the second ministers of music and youth reunion. This will be incorporated into the activities beginning at 1:15 p.m. in tha sanctuary. Coming back for this reunion will be Floyd Hines (1977-79), Michael Gambill (1979-81), Donny Hymer (1981-88), David Attebery (1988-92), and Danny Fagala (1992-96). They will join with Chuck Sullivan and Michael Jimerson.

Bro. W.J. Burgess, one of the pioneers of the Baptist Missionary Association of America, was called to help get the church going 70 years. In the Nevada County Courthouse November 6, 1927, thirteen members organized Central Baptist Church.

Mrs. Remel Gayson was the first person baptized by the new church. The church moved into its first building in the curve on Rosston Road in May of 1928.

Mrs. Milton (Ruth) Stokes was present at the organization of the church. She holds the distinction of being the longest-standing member of Central. Her aunt, Mrs. E.L. Harris, who resides in Garland, Texas, is the only living person who was among the charter members of the church.

The church has been served by twenty pastors. Arlis East, who served the church for ten years, led the church to build its present church plant at 615 East Second Street.

Tom Mitchell has served Central as pastor since September 1977.

Today, with a membership of 738, Central has an effective ministry in this community. For many years now she had carried the theme, "Looking past faults and meeting needs,"

"A strong Sunday school, vibrant music, and exciting youth ministry are evident in weekly activities," according to a news release.

The church is also very involved in missions, both in the continental United States and on foreign fields. Since 1980, 84 members of Central have ministered on a foreign missions field. The majority of this effort is carried through Central's Mexico ministry team, which conducts eye care (optometry and surgery), teaching, and construction ministries over 400 miles deep into Mexico.

One of the church's strong points is its ministry of deacons. Robert Hill serves this group of 24 as chairman. They are instrumental in the first impression visitors receive when attending Central. Meeting the people on the parking lots, greeting them, and escorting elderly to the doors are integral parts of this special ministry at Central.

"It is with great joy that Central Church has reached this milestone of `Seventy Years: Serving the Savior,'" the release stated. "The church and its staff cordially invite the public to come and celebrate this anniversary with them next Sunday."