First Baptist Church Tellico Village Celebrates 20 Years!
Friday, September 1st, 2017 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Honoring Our Past… Rejoicing in the Future
First Baptist Church Tellico Village is celebrating its 20th anniversary with four major events to honor the church’s legacy. The three-month celebration began August 16th with a gala Kick-off Dinner in the church fellowship hall. Nearly 400 people attended the dinner and the special service that followed in the sanctuary. Highlights of the service included the unveiling of a new nativity that will grace the front landscape of the church during Christmas season. Also, Reverend David Whipple, current Minister of Administration and Congregational Life, was named the new Minister of Music following Eugene Hattaway’s recent retirement from that position. Rev Whipple will continue his position as Minister of Congregational Life. Most importantly, Pastor Charlie Barnard presented a proposal for meeting the needs of current and future church growth with a Legacy Campaign: “In 1997, when we incorporated as a church, that early group of people left us with a legacy. They pointed us in the right direction with a dream and a tenacious spirit. Now, 20 years later, we want to continue that legacy and strengthen that legacy. In 2037, when our church celebrates 40 years, we want people to look back and say that we left a legacy!”
Celebration of that legacy continues throughout the coming months. The next event is an Art Show and Concert on Saturday, September 16. The Art Show, which highlights the talents of the church’s congregation, will be staged in the fellowship hall and begins at 4:30 pm. Louise Ragle of “Louise Gallery & Studio” at 401 Wharf Street in Loudon will curate the exhibits. Everyone attending the art show will receive a door prize ticket for one of three gifts donated by artisans from New York and Arizona. That same evening at 7:00 pm “Praise, Honor and Glory” will perform in the sanctuary.
October’s event is a Fall Festival at the Mathews’ Farm on Saturday, October 28, at 4:30 pm and features “Wild Blue Yonder” in concert. Advance tickets are also required for the festival at a cost of $7 each. Ticket sales for this event are forthcoming.
The highlight of the celebration is the anniversary weekend itself. On Friday, November 17, the church will host an “open house” with historical displays. That Saturday there will be a potluck dinner and concert in the fellowship hall. Sunday will bring the Anniversary Celebration full circle, beginning with a church-wide continental breakfast, drama presentation, and a Celebration Worship Service.
The church’s 20-year history began in 1995 as a mission effort of the Board of Missions of White County. The following year, under agreement with the Loudon County Baptist Association, the young church continued as a mission effort of Calvary Baptist of Lenoir City. By 1997, First Baptist Church was officially incorporated. During those early years, the congregation met at various public facilities within Tellico Village until moving to a “store front” location in the Lakeside Plaza in early 1997. As the congregation continued to grow, the members accepted the “Challenge to Build” in 2000. Today, following three building projects, the church building has grown to approximately 35,000 square feet with an average worship service attendance of 365.
Pastor Charlie Barnard appreciates the church’s history: “I am amazed and humbled by how God has assembled such a unique and diversified group of people on this hill in East Tennessee. We are ecumenical and continue to hold to our purpose of being an evangelical presence in the community.” When asked what contributes to the growth of the church, members are quick to state the church’s emphasis on prayer, missions, and leadership that always seeks God’s will.
We look forward to celebrating the joint efforts of not only past and present FBCTV leaders and congregations but also of people, churches, and associations from the surrounding area. First Baptist Church Tellico Village desires to honor the legacy that God has given us as we work together to “Love God, Love Others, and Reach Our World for Christ.”
First Baptist Church
205 Chota Road
Loudon, TN 37774
865-408-0110
www.fbctellicovillage.org
