"40 Years"

Post date: Jun 4, 2017 9:51:21 PM

It was June of 1977, I was twenty-seven years old and Mrs. Baker was twenty-five years old; that was the month and year we came here to Welch Creek. It was 40 years ago. Our children were seven, five and three years old. I was working full time at the local Sky City Department store in the camera and sporting goods departments. Mrs. Baker was in nursing part-time, and was still taking classes.

We came here following the two years that Brother Paul Weber was your pastor. Brother Paul and I were in Bible-college together for a while in the early 70's.

It was a time when a struggling little church needed a pastor, and it was time when a struggling little preacher needed a church to pastor. It's amazing how God brought both together! The Lord Jesus surely has done a gracious work here as a result of we two coming together as a pastor and people. We still have approximately a dozen of those charter members still with us.

I cannot begin to tell each of you how much I appreciate your love for me and Mrs. Baker. You have been more supportive of us than any preacher I know of. We have sailed through many troubled waters. We have had our winter-time seasons. We have gone through some dark and dreary times. BUT, our Great God and Saviour has sustained us and protected us in those trying times. We have never seen Him let us down, nor fail us. It has been by His mighty hand and power that we have what we have today, here at Welch Creek.

May our Heavenly Father richly bless you as we continue to labor together the cause of Christ and the Gospel.

June 4, 2017

From the Pastor,

James H. Baker

Proverbs 3: 5-8