Mableton First Baptist Church

1997

We honored the memory of Inez Russell at the time of her death on December 11.

On February 16, 1997, Rev. Timothy W. Childers delivered a trial sermon for consideration as pastor. The church voted to call him. His first Sunday was March 23, 1997.

The Church Council, consisting of staff and leaders of different church organizations, began meeting once per month for church planning and program coordination. During this time, the church resumed a structured visitation program, headed by Charlie Marshall.

On February 19, 1997, the church voted to change Mrs. Russell's title to Church Activities Director only, and approved Becky Ridgway as Kindergarten Director/Summer Day Camp Director.

On May 21, 1997, the church voted to have conference quarterly, rather than monthly, going forward.

Twenty-nine youth attended SuperWow at Jekyll Island in the summer of 1997. These youth also spent their summer holding Backyard Bible Clubs at Mableton Manor apartment complex and at Castlewood Chapel. "Experiencing God" was completed by 7 youth.

During this summer, the church did not offer a Summer Day Camp. Time was needed to re-think and re-vamp the program.

The Women's Missionary Union added a Day Group to its traditional Night Group in 1997.

Mableton First Baptist had previously begun a campaign called Project Nehemiah to reduce its debt. The loan principal had been reduced by more than $93,000 in 1996.

On December 15, 1997, Danny Balint resigned as Associate Pastor/Minister of Students to become a full time student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, beginning on January 25, 1999.

The average monthly receipts for 1997 were $44,162.03. The average monthly Sunday School attendance was 171.