[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 184 (Tuesday, November 7, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF COOKEVILLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. ROSE

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 7, 2023

  Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate First Baptist Church of 
Cookeville on 150 years of spreading the gospel throughout Middle 
Tennessee. I was raised at First Baptist Church. I came to know my Lord 
and Savior Jesus Christ, was baptized, and was a member for many years 
at First Baptist. My wife Chelsea and I were married in this church so, 
needless to say, I received many blessings from this congregation.
  The church was organized in 1873 as the Cookeville Baptist Church of 
Christ. The church's first Pastor, Patrick Moore, led a congregation of 
34 members. Together, they agreed to a church covenant, which reads in 
part, ``the purpose of this body is to advance the church in knowledge, 
holiness, and comfort promoting prosperity and spirituality.'' They 
continue to fulfill that commitment 150 years later.
  Today, the church enjoys a membership of more than 1,300 members and 
an average attendance of more than 450. But their story isn't one of 
instant success. It's one of persistence and faith.
  There were long periods of time when the church stopped meeting for 
worship. In fact, with 20 members at the time, the church underwent a 
reorganization in 1892. And it wasn't until 21 years after the church's 
founding that the congregation was able to secure their own House of 
Worship.
  Like so many churches, First Baptist Church of Cookeville was 
impacted by the Great Depression in the 1930s, which led to the church 
opting to discontinue their pastor's salary through the end of the 
year. But that decade was about more than loss for the church. It was 
also in the 1930s that the Women's Missionary Union was formed, along 
with the Young Women's Auxiliary and Girl's Auxiliary for the women and 
girls of the church. The church also formed groups for the boys and men 
of the church, including the Royal Ambassadors and Baptist Brotherhood.
  This is a common theme of this church's story. Through difficult 
times, they stood firm in their faith and found ways to continue being 
a blessing to others. First Baptist Church of Cookeville started 
several missions over the years, missions that later became standalone 
congregations.
  The church began reaching out to students at the nearby Tennessee 
Polytechnic Institute, now known as Tennessee Tech University, as early 
as 1926. They even built a Baptist Student Center, which continues to 
be a resource for young people to this day.
  First Baptist Church of Cookeville was also a pioneer in broadcasting 
sermons on tv, which they began doing in 1973. The church continues to 
broadcast their services today, bringing the Word of God to homes 
throughout the Upper Cumberland.
  Whether it be serving their local community through missions like 
Operation Christmas Child or the Family Life Center, or a mission 
overseas, the folks making up the church embody what it means to have a 
servant's heart.
  Again, I want to congratulate First Baptist Church of Cookeville on 
continuing to fulfill that covenant written all those years ago. I wish 
Pastor Scott McKinney the best of luck as he continues to guide the 
church in the years ahead. I pray they will continue to be a blessing 
to their community, and to the region, for another 150 years.

                          ____________________