ESSEXVILLE, Mich.—For people in Essexville, the 150th anniversary of First Baptist Church was hard to miss Sunday, Aug. 11. The church rang its tower bell 150 times to mark the event. The bell-tower ringing was reminiscent of a similar event in the church’s history. Back in 1963, the church rang that same bell 100 times in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
Sunday’s bell-ringing culminated a weekend of events at First Baptist. The celebration began Friday, Aug. 9, with a concert by Bible Revival Ministries International, the ministry of Ben Everson and his family. Members of Calvary Baptist Church, Midland, Mich., the Everson family travels the U.S., Canada, and Mexico year-round, leading evangelistic services filled with music and preaching.
On Saturday the congregation got together for a pig roast, outdoor games, and music. A worship service and catered dinner took place on Sunday.
Dan Staples came to First Baptist in 2011 as an interim preacher and began serving as pastor in March 2013.
- Read about First Baptist’s history at MLive.com.
