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In 1963, a
small group of believers from Burholm Baptist Church began a prayer
meeting in the home of Dale and Lou Heim. Shortly after the
prayer group was organized, this small group of believers began
sharing the Italian Christian Church of Tacony for their Sunday afternoon
worship services.
Two years later, 1965, Fellowship Baptist Church was formally organized,
John Greening, who was meeting with this group of believers was asked to be the
Pastor,. At this time the church affiliated with General Association of
Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC- http://www.garbc.org/) . Land was purchased in 1965 in the Somerton
area of Philadelphia and the church building was completed in 1966.
Pastor Greening resigned as Pastor in 1971 and Bob Boyd accepted
the
invitation to be interim Pastor. At this time, the church decided to
terminate its affiliation with the GARBC.
Pastor Orr became Fellowship Baptist Church’s Pastor in 1974 and resigned four
years later in 1978.
Pastor Hills agreed to become the Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church that same
year, 1978. During Pastor Hill’s ministry , the church experienced a large
increase in membership and capacity attendance at the morning service. The
church increased its size by five classrooms and one office. During
the time the church staff included the Pastor, assistant Pastor and youth
director. Pastor Hills resigned in 1984.
Pastor Joseph Long became Pastor in 1984 and remained our Pastor through 1995,
at which time he resigned and went back to being a business manager.
Frank Manno accepted the position of Pastor in 1995. Pastor Manno
established a contemporary style of worship and hired Jason Heim to take the
responsibility of the worship team and the youth group. Under Pastor
Manno’s ministry the church joined the Evangelical Free Church Association
(EFCA- http://www.efca.org/)
. April of 1999 Pastor Manno resigned to join a church planting team with
EFCA in Spring Valley, Colorado. Under Pastor Manno’s ministry a coffee
house was begun to encourage un-churched people to experience Christian
entertainment and introduce them to our church.
James Michael
Jarrell accepted the position of Senior Pastor in December 2000. His
ministry continues.
Youth Pastor
Jason Heim resigned in the fall of 2005.
January 2006
Pastors Robert Turchi -Youth, and David Poteat -Christian Education Ministries
were called to minister at FBC. Their ministry continues.
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