Josh Long was born July 28, 1923 at Newberry,Florida. He holds B.A. and Th.M. degrees and has been a public school teacher for 20 years. He has pastored eight churches, all in Florida. Josh and his wife, June, have five children.
One of the first items to be carried out was the improvement of the physical appearance of the church. The Church decided to print a Sunday bulletin at this time. On May 9, 1951 Paul Hansen was licensed as a Gospel minister.
July 11, 1951 saw the approval of the Church given for the construction of a two-story education building in back of the church. The building was to be approximately 30'r 50' in size. R. H. Graham, Mr. Grantham and Sgt. Britt were appointed to serve as a planning committee.
Several items were approved in October 1951. The bank account was moved from Melbourne to Barnett National Bank in Cocoa, the Pastor's salary was increased to $45.00 per week, offering envelopes were ordered for each member, and a Board of Trustees was appointed consisting of Sgt. Britt, Chairman, Mr. J. E. Grantham and Mr. Wright. The trustees were authorized to investigate putting city water in the pastor's home.
The two-story education building continued to receive attention in the March 1952 Church minutes. They read in part: "The Deacons recommended that we elect James Grantham as Building Foreman having charge of the necessary materials, oversee work up to the time that the building is turned over to a contractor and after that to oversee all donated work." It was about this time that Addie Vaughter, who is currently a member of this Church, helped make the first choir robes for First Baptist. They were blue with white collars.
In June 1952 "Mrs. Myers moved that Saturday, June 7th be a work lay for the men to clear the trees from the back of the church lot in preparation for the new building. The women are to bring a picnic dinner."
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