The Church was continuing to prosper financially. The balance in the treasury increased each month while the debt had decreased. By November 1978 the treasury showed a balance on hand of $17,454.63 and the pastorium debt at $22,500.00It was during this time that the pastor felt led to share with the people that giving to the Lottie Moon Foreign Mission Offering needed to be a matter of faith. The offering was set to be taken in one day in a Missions March. The people responded warmly and the offering on Victory Day was $5,667.82. The Lottie Moon Offering has grown tremendously until the present time.
The April 1979 minutes show that Vickie Layne was recommended for a ministerial grant to Stetson. Vickie is now Mrs. Mike Dell and her husband is the Organist and Associate Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church, Huntsville, Alabama. The Church also voted to retire the debt on the pastorium. This made the Church debt free and it would remain so until the present time. Steps were also being taken to purchase an Allen organ. The organ, Model 301, was purchased at a cost of $16,900.00.
Eldon Moen resigned as Music Director on October 31, 1979 to be affective December 31 1979. The Church approved "a resolution of grateful appreciation for Eldon Moen's faithful and professional services to our congregation."
The Church voted in May 1980 to carpet the second and third floors of the three-story-educational building. Handballs were purchased with memorial gift funds. Mr. Gene Lye served as Music Director until Greg Brewton was called to serve as Minister of Music and Youth on May 28, 1980 starting June 22.
In September 1980 Robert Hulon Cox was recommended to Baptist Bible Institute as a student and that he receive a ministerial grant.
Several items of interest were accomplished in the 1980-1981 church year. The church gave Bob and Carol Cox $500.00 as a love gift for moving expenses to Baptist Bible Institute. Greg Brewton, Minister of Music and Youth, reported in November the following attendance: Adult Choir-28; Youth Choir-9; Children's Choir-15; Adult Handball-8; Youth Handbell-lO; Preschool-6; Music Makers-5; Young Musicians-6.
By December 1980 the Church had a balance in the treasury of $48,955.04 and no debt. Ron Fannin applied to be a Missionary Journeyman and would spend two years in Zimbabwe, Africa. The missionary brunch was held in December. Dr. and Mrs. Sam Shepard, Missionary Associates to Portugal, were the guest speakers. The two-story education building was carpeted at a
60
Back |
Next 
|
Return To Florida Fact Finders