“We have a lot of young families (with) a lot of eagerness to grow and learn and be engaged in the community,” he said. “I think people want to be a part of a spiritual family, with others who have a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Every week, newcomers to the congregation come to the church and are eager to volunteer.

“I just baptized 13 people a couple of weeks ago,” said Seifert.

First Baptist also has an active children’s ministry, with an active Sunday school and youth group for teens. The AWANA program takes over the church building on Wednesday nights with many youngsters who are there to learn Bible verses. Elaine Carlson, who heads up the children’s ministry, said a number of the children who come to AWANA are not part of First Baptist but belong to other denominations.

Submitted Photo Adam Carr, current AWANA commander, is working with Peyton Vix during Book Time.

Carlson said kids in the program play games, sing songs and learn about Jesus. Kids also participate in activities like the Pinewood Derby style racing car event.

First Baptist has had a successful AWANA program since the mid-1970s. These days program attracts about 250 children from ages 3 to high school.

AWANA is an international ministry program that is offered throughout the U.S. and in foreign countries, said Carlson.

Longtime church members Marlys Orluck and Beverly Lorenz said the church has always attracted young families, like those who come from Minot Air Force Base, who are looking for community. Church members have been willing to lend a friendly hand to help young mothers away from close relatives who needed advice on how to care for their babies. Other church members opened their homes to newcomers from the base and were friendly.

Lorenz, the longest continuous member at First Baptist, joined the church as a teenager in the late 1940s. She and her late husband, who was also extremely active in the church, were married there in 1951.

According to a church history, First Baptist was started on April 1, 1888, when Rev. George W. Huntley, as the General Missionary, met with three couples about establishing a Baptist church in the community.

The founding members of the church were Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Mears, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Crow and Mr. and Mrs. D. Coleman.

The first church building was constructed in the fall of 1888. The building accommodated 100 people and cost $1,800 to build. A church parsonage was added in 1905 and cost $1,200. In 1913, an addition was built, bringing the seating capacity of the church to 220 people. The old building was divided into Sunday school rooms.

In 1958, the growing church decided to build a new church, which would be able to seat up to 650 people. The new church building was dedicated in 1959. A church building extension was added in 1975.

The church celebrated its 125th anniversary in August 2013.

With the enthusiasm of its members, it is likely to be a fixture in the community for decades to come.