EAGLE LAKE — The First Baptist Church of Eagle Lake (FBC) celebrated its 150th anniversary on Sept. 21 with approximately 100 former and current parishioners in attendance.
The congregation was welcomed by FBC’s Rev. Joshua Turpin.
The celebration service began with an invocation by Dr. George Gaston, a longtime Baptist pastor and professor of Pastoral Care for Southwestern and Logsdon Seminaries. Gaston began his ministry in Eagle Lake as a summer youth intern in 1967. He returned to be FBC’s interim pastor in 1998, 2015 and 2020. Along the way, he ministered as vice president for ministry with Houston’s Memorial Herman Healthcare System and with San Antonio’s Baptist Health System. Most recently, he served as acting director for the Houston Campus of Baylor’s Truett Seminary.
State District Director Nethaniel Gjesdal, on behalf of State Representative Stan Kitzman, who was unable to attend, presented the church with a state resolution and a United States Flag that was flown over the State Capitol in Austin on Sept. 11.
Colorado County Baptist Association Executive Director of Mission Barry Barnet presented Turpin with a cer- tificate of recognition of the church’s 150 years of continuing Christian ministry to the city and community of Eagle Lake.
Hymns were sung by Clark and Vicki Powers, and special music by Dr. David Guess, and Joshua and Brittany Turpin.
The service included scripture reading by Danielle Day, children and youth minister from 2005-2007; offertory prayer by Rev. Kerry Horn, pastor from 2010-2015; and Stan Durham, offertory prayer music “Our Great God Medley,” which he wrote and produced. Durham is an accomplished pianist, conductor and songwriter, and former FBC youth and music pastor.
Toward the end of the service, video messages were presented from former pastors reflecting on their past ten ure at FBC and their current status. Pastors included David Mann, 1988-1997; Brent Beasley, 1998-2003; Chris Thacker, 2003-2007; Kevin Collison, 2007-2010; and Erik Lankford, 2016-2020.
Following the celebration service, parishioners enjoyed a luncheon provided by Fran Hutchins and the Fellowship Committee.
The celebration planning committee included the Rev. Joshua Turpin, Vicki Powers, Carolyn Baird, Lois Herman and Micky Gutierez.
Colorado County Baptist Association Executive Director of Mission Barry Barnet, right, presented First Baptist Church Rev. Joshua Turpin with a certificate of recognition of church’s 150 years of continuing Christian ministry to the city and community of Eagle Lake. Banner Press photo by Ramona Ferguson
