Freedom Baptist Church History
Jesus said in Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." On July 18, 2001, twenty-eight people gathered together in the name of Jesus to meet and worship the Lord for the first time as a group. Songs of praise were sung, special prayers were prayed, and a message was brought from the Word of God. Also, the idea of organizing a church was discussed. The decision was made to pray and wait patiently on the Lord before the final decision to organize would be made.
On July 22, 2001, thirty-nine people attended the first Sunday morning service. On August 22, 2001, at the Wednesday night service, the motion was made to form a local church. There was a second to the motion, and the vote was unanimous in favor of forming a local church. The name FREEDOM BAPTIST CHURCH was selected as the church name. The Lord has blessed this work from the very beginning. There was a piano donated as well as chairs, various pieces of furniture, song books, and many other items. There was a pulpit built from scratch and donated by one of the members. The first couple months the meetings were held in the basement of one of the members. The church quickly out grew the basement. A metal building was then donated for the use of the church. Members assembled and built a pulpit and choir platform, sewed and hung curtains and petitions, installed heaters and air conditioners, cleaned donated chairs, and cleaned and decorated our new meeting place. In February, 2002, Freedom Baptist Church purchased 11.127 acres on Hwy 64 East and Cornatzer Road for a church building, a cemetery, and a future church parsonage.
On February 13, 2002 and March 5, 2002, Freedom Baptist Church lost two of its most beloved members, in the death of Mrs. Bessie Sechrest and the Preacher Vann Poplin. Both Mrs. Bessie and Bro. Vann would probably quote if they could Philippians 1:21 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Freedom Baptist Church was forced to start its cemetery before it started its church building.
On November 10, 2002, at 4:30 P.M., Freedom Baptist Church held its official ground breaking and dedication service on its new property. Construction began in early 2003 and moved slowly because of the unusually wet conditions. God continued to bless with new members and a growing resolve in the membership to be faithful and God will bless his people. October 26, 2003 - the new church at 118 Cornatzer Road opened the doors for the first time.