“In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,” declares the Lord who does this.
AMOS 9:11-12
DEAR CHURCH FAMILY…
Keep The Faith: One Day Fulfilled
I love First Baptist Church Clarksville! I pray to see our church united and healthy. Our church is making the enemy mad. He hates to see people being saved, believers growing in the faith, and members living on mission for Jesus in our city and around the world.
What is Keep The Faith: One Day Fulfilled? On Sunday, October 29, 2023, we'll vote on the proposed vision for the Faith Building. This visionary plan is timely. It’s measurable and realistic. We can do this, as the Spirit leads!
One verse that speaks to my heart about the church is Acts 9:31. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said, “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.”
What truths do we see from this verse about Keep The Faith: One Day Fulfilled for First Baptist Church Clarksville?
1. The local church matters. God cares about our church. Our city is blessed because First Baptist exists. The church isn’t irrelevant, outdated, or unnecessary. Let’s rejoice that our church has a divine purpose. God is using us for His glory!
2. The church helps people experience spiritual growth. As we develop followers of Jesus who worship God, love people, share Jesus, and make disciples, it’s a joy to see you growing in the faith. The ultimate goal of spiritual growth is Christlikeness (Romans 8:28-29). I believe active participation in the Lord’s church results in spiritual growth.
3. The church adores the greatness of God. The early church “walked in the fear of the Lord.” That doesn’t mean they were afraid of Him. It means they understood His greatness, majesty, and glory. The church stood in “awe” of the Lord. I pray for First Baptist to always “walk in the fear of the Lord.”
4. The church serves in the power of the Holy Spirit. Early believers lived in the “comfort of the Holy Spirit.” The church’s growth wasn’t about programs or personalities. Those godly men and women realized the power of God the Spirit. May we serve and witness in the power of His Spirit!
5. The church experiences numerical growth. The early church “multiplied.” The church grew in numbers. I want Keep the Faith: One Day Fulfilled to be a witness to the numerical growth at First Baptist. God is growing His church. All the praise goes to Jesus!
I appeal for you to clear your calendar and plan to be in Connect Groups and worship on Sunday, October 29. It's a day for us to make a decision to repair, raise up, and rebuild! It’s going to be a glorious Sunday!
I love our church!
Blessings,
Pastor Ronny
Amos 9:11-12
FAITH BUILDING HISTORY
First Baptist Church of Clarksville, grew out of the congregation of the Spring Creek Baptist Church which was established in 1808 and is one of the earliest Baptist churches in Montgomery County. First Baptist Church began by meeting for services at the courthouse in Clarksville under the direction of Elder Reuben Ross in 1831. Ross was the pastor of the Spring Creek Baptist Church and made visits to Clarksville on a monthly rotation. The original congregation consisted of 17 members and had grown to 53 by 1841. During this time the church purchased a piece of property in downtown Clarksville and began raising funds to construct a permanent church building which was completed in 1843.
Following the war, A.D. Sears took on the role as the new pastor of the church. Sears was 62 when he came to Clarksville and was faced with a church in need of rebuilding. With a starting congregation size of 25 people, Sears worked to expand membership numbers and revive old programs. Sunday school was reinstituted and new groups were established, including the Women’s Missionary Society (1882) and the men’s Sunday School Baraca Class (1890). He also pushed to move the church to its current location on the corner of Madison and 5th Streets. The building was projected to cost $25,000, and construction began in 1867.
After many years and various pastors, Dr. Ryland Knight became pastor of First Baptist in 1912. During his tenure, Knight oversaw the construction of a new church building. The 1891 brick building was levelled around 1916 to make room for the new limestone building. Designed by John Gaisford, an architect out of Memphis, the total projected cost of the project was $60,000, but there were overages due to design changes and upgrading to better quality materials. The church contracted with Nashville based builder Foster and Creighton Co. to provide the materials and construction work. Henry Pilcher’s Sons Pipe Organs out of Louisville, Kentucky was also brought in to install a new electric pipe organ (the organ remained in use until it was replaced in 1970). When it was all completed the total cost for the new building was $65,000. Known as the 1917 Building or the Faith Building, this structure stands on the corner of Madison and 5th Streets, although it has undergone several renovations and expansions.
ONE DAY PHASES
FAITH BUILDING EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS
FAITH BUILDING SANCTUARY MODIFICATIONS
FAITH BUILDING FIRST FLOOR MODIFICATIONS
TIMELINE
VISION
UNIVERSITY & FRANKLIN LOWER LOT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are we keeping the Faith Sanctuary? Chapel?
Let's start with great news! We plan to refurbish and restore the Faith Sanctuary. That building has history and memories that are valuable to preserve. The intent is to use the facility more in the days ahead (worship gatherings, Bible studies, weddings, funerals, meetings, etc.). As for the chapel, the plan is to remove that building. The cost to repair the facility and meet building codes was too great an expense to justify. The stone and stained-glass windows would be repurposed into other areas of the Faith Building.Why would we tear down the Education Building?What would the space become?
Experts have evaluated the Education Building. The space is permeated with asbestos, mold, and mildew. The cost to remove those dangers and repair the space isn't a wise financial decision. Costs to renovate the entire Faith Facility were in the range of twelve to fifteen million dollars. When the building is removed, the space will become a parking lot and green space. We can get almost thirty new parking spaces, and we'll have green space for smaller outdoor fellowships.Why would we sell the parking lot?
The parking lot on the corner of Franklin and University hasn't been used by church members in years. The parking lot is full of cars from the nearby apartment complex. Our maintenance team spends time each week cleaning up trash from the lot. We've even had to tow stolen cars from the lot. The church has adequate parking with our other lots and with the addition of the new lot that will be constructed on Madison Street. The sale of the parking lot allows us to use those funds for the restoration of the Faith Sanctuary. We believe it's a win/win for our church.Will we take on any additional debt?
Our prayer is for the church to take on no additional debt. We believe with the sale of the lower parking lot and with a special one-day offering (if needed), the church can remain debt-free. You're a generous church. We want to keep budgeted funds available for ministries and missions, not paying interest on debt.
What is the overall estimated cost?
At this point in the process, the following numbers are estimates. We sense the entire project will be accomplished plus or minus two million dollars. That's making improvements in the Faith Sanctuary, building administrative offices, creating a parking lot, and transitioning many of our current administrative offices into Legacy Connect Group rooms. We'll keep church members informed of the exact costs when those numbers are received.
What's the value of moving administrative offices? What happens to the current offices?
Current administrative offices are scattered throughout our facilities. Renovating space in the Faith Building for administrative offices is a wise use of the building. The ministry team being together in one building allows for greater accountability and efficiency. Many of the current offices will become Legacy Connect Group rooms. Legacy members will be able to attend Bible study without having to take stairs or an elevator. These rooms will also be much quieter on Sunday mornings, too.
What will we do about storage?
Storage is always a need in the church. Storage space will continue to exist in the Faith Building. Other storage areas will be created in the Grace Building. Storing Christmas trees in the Grace Building allows them to be accessed easier each Christmas for our ministry to our church family and to the community. We'll consult with ministry leaders to find workable storage places for them and their ministry needs.When would the church make a decision?
We have three listening sessions scheduled with our pastor (August 31, September 12, and September 17). He wants to spend time with church members and talk about the vision. The final decision on the Faith Building isn't being made by the pastor, staff team, or deacons. It's a church decision. We plan to discuss the decision during our Quarterly Church Conference on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. The final vote would take place on Sunday morning, October 29, 2023, at the end of our worship gathering.When would construction start? How long would it take?
We'd love to see construction start in late fall or early winter. Completing the total project is expected to take at least one year. During the renovation process of the Faith Sanctuary, other improvements will be made in the Grace and Hope Buildings. It's imperative that we maintain our buildings for God's glory, kingdom advancement, and efficient operations.Could the Faith Building be used for a school?
That option has been explored multiple times. Millions of dollars would still need to be invested in repairing the facility. It would be financially difficult for a school to pay those costs. Many schools also expressed the need for green space (playground areas, ball fields, etc.). We couldn't offer any of those spaces on our campus. It's worth noting, too, that many schools don't adhere to our theological convictions as a church. We always want to protect the theological accuracy and witness of our church.
HOW YOU CAN PRAY
The glory of God is our primary focus.
God's people to be united.
The wisdom to bless the next generation, not burden them.
Financial responsibility to guide our decision-making process.
Our staff to experience greater levels of accountability and efficiency.
Steps to be taken to use the Faith Sanctuary for worship experiences and Bible studies.
The church to appreciate the past and lean into God's preferred future.
Invest the time and resources to maintain the Hope and Grace buildings and make necessary improvements to live stream our worship gatherings on Sunday mornings.
The church to complete Phase Three of our One Day campaign with no additional debt.
Jesus must increase, and we must decrease (John 3:30).