b'tothoseinneed.Specialprayerservicesin 1977, in order to provide services to meet the werealsoanimportantcontributionduringemotional needs of church members and the those tumultuous times. As the world evolvedAbilene community. It has served as a model for from these major events there grew a strongother churches in Texas and the United States. passion for missions in the congregation andAnother new ministry was established in 1981: ministerial staff. Our church was blessed withthe Family Life Center, providing a place for strong leaders who served extensive tenures,families in the Abilene area to come together suchasElwinSkiles,JamesFlamming,Billfor fun community activities. Over the years it Bruster,andPhilChristopher.Undertheirbecame evident that there was a great need leadershipover15newmissionchurchesto minister to the less fortunate in Abilene. An were organized across the city. Under Godsurban ministry, City Light Community Ministries, leadership our church has had and continuesofficially opened in 1996.to have a vital role in shaping the community of Abilene. Thededicationtomissionscontinuestoday as wearebeginning tocreateanewHope In the early 1950s it became evident that theCenter, allowing for a dramatic expansion of 1910sanctuarywasnotmeetingtheneedsCityLight,MinistryofCounseling,andGLO of our large congregation. A third sanctuaryDay Care.was built in 1954 at the location of our present sanctuary.Beginningin2004thisstructureOverthepast140yearsFirstBaptisthas underwent major renovations and was newlyweathered many seasons of life, yet its roots dedicated on Palm Sunday in 2006. Today theremainstrong.Theemphasisonspiritual FBC sanctuary is home to our worship servicesgrowth and mission outreach has continued butalsoopensitsdoors tohostcommunityto be our focus, and it has branched out in events.new and innovative ways. The rich heritage of First Baptist Church is truly a blessing but is While continuing mission efforts locally, Firstalso a challenge to seek and fulfill Gods call Baptist also looks outward to the nation andinto the future.the world. These global efforts are still a focus ofourchurchaswesupportCooperative BaptistFellowshipfieldpersonnelinNorth Macedonia,Cambodia,andanother SoutheastAsiancountry.DuringthelateNote: A very special thanks to twentiethcentury,FirstBaptistpioneeredRob Fink and Tiffany M. Fink authors manynewministriesbenefitingthegreaterof Love Unbounded. Their book on the history of First Baptist Church Abilenecommunity.SeeinganeedforAbilene was an invaluable resource affordable day care, GLO was established infor this document.1968. Soon to follow in 1974 was the television ministry which began live broadcasting of the entire hour-long Sunday morning service. The Ministry of Counseling and Enrichment began 7'