[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A CENTURY OF DEVOTION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, a church is more than bricks and mortar. A 
church serves as the foundation of a community and its construction is 
a labor of love and caring. For the past 100 years, the congregation of 
Juniata Baptist Church has been the base of their community. This year 
on August 10, the Juniata Baptist Church will celebrate 100 years of 
community growth. For the past century, they not only have grown but 
have expanded to provide Christian education for their children through 
the creation of the Juniata Christian School.
  In August 1973, Pastor Rick Flanders was called to lead the church. 
For the past 20 years, under his capable leadership, the church has 
continued its wonderful heritage of accomplishment. The church's 
congregation has sizably increased. In the 1990's, under Pastor 
Flander's guidance, the attendance has averaged over 400 people on 
Sunday mornings.
  The Juniata Baptist Church began with a small group of Christian 
believers meeting in a log cabin in the early 1890's. In 1897, they 
completed their first regular church building with timber hewn by men 
of the congregation. The little assembly was then officially known as 
the Free Will Baptist Union Church. Early pastors were meagerly 
supported, but generously given lodging by members of the congregation 
in their homes. In 1944, the church was finally able to purchase a 
parsonage.
  The Juniata Baptist Church has undergone several remodeling and 
expansion projects in its century-long existence. In 1951, William 
Vroman was named their pastor. Under his leadership, the little church 
building was extensively improved and remodeled. In 1966, after Brother 
Vroman moved on, the church called Brother William Goodwin, one of the 
first graduates of Midwestern Baptist Seminary, as its pastor. 
Extensive building was done during his pastorate. The parsonage was 
moved from the north side of Saginaw Road to just south of the church 
building. A new auditorium was built in 1961, and the educational 
building, which houses the gymnasium and classrooms, was built in 1986. 
After Pastor Goodwin moved, the church called Richard Arnold to serve 
as pastor. He served from 1969 to 1973, during which time attendance 
grew and the auditorium was expanded. The parsonage was then moved 
across Washburn Road to make room for the auditorium expansion.
  The Juniata Christian School has served members of its congregation 
and the community by passing along strong Christian values to future 
generations by maintaining a K through 12 program. In 1972, the day-
school ministry began with 25 students in grades K through 3 and today 
they have increased to serve about 200 students in grades K through 12. 
The school is dedicated to teaching the Christian principles to 
students at an early age, so that they will have their faith to guide 
them through life's many challenges.
  Mr. Speaker, the mission of the Juniata Baptist Church has remained 
consistent throughout all of the structural changes. The Juniata 
Baptist Church continues to provide an invaluable service to the 
community, teaching through example. The focus of its ministry has been 
constant over the years of its history: winning people to Christ and 
teaching them the Bible. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and the rest of our 
colleagues to join me in congratulating Pastor Rick Flanders and the 
dedicated congregation of the Juniata Baptist Church on 100 years of 
leadership and wish them many more to come.

                          ____________________