[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BRANDON'S 175TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GREGG HARPER

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Mr. HARPER. Madam Speaker, I rise today and join with the members and 
staff from First Baptist Church of Brandon, Mississippi in celebrating 
175 years of the ministry of the Lord's word.
  Originally named Brandon Baptist Church in 1835, Brandon's First 
Baptist Church was established only four years after the founding of 
the City of Brandon. Early on, members would meet in each others' homes 
to listen to messages from their first pastor, T.S.N. King, before 
moving into a shared space at the Brandon Female Academy, where pastors 
would preach once a month. During this time, congregants sat under the 
preaching of twenty-five pastors, many of whom held other occupations 
such as gardening or serving in the Confederate Army. Others taught at 
local institutions of higher education, such as Warren S. Webb who 
served in 1871 as both pastor of Brandon Baptist Church and as 
president of my Alma Mater of Mississippi College, which is located in 
Clinton, Mississippi. A decade later, Pastor Lewis Carden Kellis led 
efforts to construct the first building, costing $2,000, seating 250 
congregants, and serving as the sanctuary until 1946.
  Carl Joseph Olander carried Brandon Baptist Church through some of 
its more trying times. The Great Depression created economical 
challenges for families and businesses nationwide. One suggestion by 
Olander to overcome these struggles was for each family to ``set a 
hen'' and share the proceeds to help fund missions.
  Pastor L. Gordan Sansing set in motion weekly worship and would guide 
Brandon Baptist Church to approve a building program. In 1945, the 
church exchanged properties with the Brandon Consolidated School 
District. Prior to constructing the new building, the members had met 
in the high school. Then, in 1948 the cornerstone for the first 
building on the new property was laid while Monte Davis was pastor--and 
the structure was dedicated in January of 1949. Pastor Carey E. Cox's 
leadership led to the purchase of a nearby house to alleviate space 
problems. The addition of a twenty-two room education and fellowship 
hall contributed to growth in the children's and youth activities. In 
June of 1965, a $200,000 sanctuary seating 500 congregants was built, 
and it was during this time that the name Brandon Baptist Church was 
changed to First Baptist Church.
  Numerous other pastors influenced the rapid escalation of First 
Baptist Church. Bill Duncan focused on missions, evangelistic 
visitation and tithing. W. Thomas Baddley expanded the size and variety 
of the physical facilities, John Ashley piloted the purchase of land 
adjacent to the church and made plans to build a family life center, 
and Robert Jackson established a radio broadcast in August of 1981 and 
a television broadcast in April of 1984.
  Dr. Gene Henderson delivered his first sermon in May of 1986. A 
visionary, his strong oratory skills led to the creation of a second 
Sunday School and a third worship service. The membership expansion led 
to plans for a three-phase building project in west Brandon, and 
construction of the new facility was completed in August of 2001. Dr. 
Henderson's successor, Dr. Scott Thomas, was introduced to the 
congregation in a series of personal meetings, and in November of 2005, 
Dr. Thomas introduced his wife and six children and began their 
pastorate at First Baptist Church. Dr. Thomas' compassionate management 
and pastoral skills have brought continued growth, increasing 
membership to First Baptist Church. In 2008, the church family 
purchased an additional 72 acres adjacent to their property ensuring 
room for future growth.
  Over the past 175 years, thirty-four men have served as pastors of 
First Baptist Church of Brandon. Their passion, paired with the 
commitment of the church family, has resulted in what was originally a 
43-person congregation meeting in members' homes, to a ministry today 
that serves hundreds from all over the Brandon community. The church 
founders served as pioneers for expanding God's word in Rankin County, 
and it was their shared vision that birthed a legacy for sharing 
Christ's love throughout the City of Brandon, the State of Mississippi, 
and throughout the world.

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