New life at local church

689

By Jim Ash, General Manager

Greater Grace Christian Fellowship Pastor Bailey Norman shared a few words of encouragement during Pastor Logan Loveday’s installation ceremony.
Greater Grace Christian Fellowship Pastor Bailey Norman shared a few words of encouragement during Pastor Logan Loveday’s installation ceremony.

MARLBOROUGH – There is a new sense of excitement and purpose inside one of Marlborough’s historic churches with the recent merger of two congregations and the installation of a new pastor, Logan Loveday, at First Baptist Church. 

The landmark building received a major facelift a few years ago and members of the newly merged congregation are looking forward to improving and expanding their service to the community.

Established in 1868, First Baptist Church of Marlborough is a longtime member of the American Baptist Association and a new member of the Baptist Convention of New England (BCNE), a network of more than 370 churches. The BCNE works to connect New England churches to resources and training opportunities. The goal is to help multiply Christ-followers through partnering, equipping and encouraging. 

As it turns out, the BCNE played a significant role in the events that led to the recent merger. That history traces back to the retirement of longtime First Baptist Church Pastor Stafford Trapp who stepped down in August of 2019. Reverend Richard Kirk subsequently served as the primary interim pastor for First Baptist until Easter of this year. At that point, a search committee was formed to seek a new full time leader for the church.

Around the time that the search committee was formed, First Baptist Chairman of the Board Rod Erlandson contacted BCNE Executive Director Dr. Terry Dorsett to inquire about the benefits and requirements of joining the BCNE. This led to an introduction to Dr. Dorsett’s son-in-law, Loveday, who was serving as pastor of Hope Community Church, located in the east end of Marlborough.

First Baptist Church welcomes and serves all ages.
First Baptist Church welcomes and serves all ages.

One thing led to another, and in a matter of a few short months, Hope Community Church merged with First Baptist and Loveday was named full time pastor of the newly united congregation.

Reflecting back on the events of this past spring when he and Hope Community Church connected with the people of First Baptist, Pastor Loveday said, “There was this beautiful unity that God was forming with us there.” The merger seemed like a natural next step for both churches.

During a formal installation ceremony held in September, three Marlborough pastors were among those in attendance, Pastor Chad Braswell (Metro Church), Pastor Bailey Normal (Greater Grace Christian Fellowship), and Father Michael McKinnon (Holy Trinity Anglican Church). Over the past couple of years, these men and their families have developed a close bond of friendship with Pastor Loveday and his family.

Speaking about the changes at First Baptist Church, Pastor Braswell said, “I really see this as [an] amazing, refreshing, revitalization of what God is trying to do in our community.” 

Pastor Norman added, “All of our churches, all four of us are within a mile. I am so encouraged as a pastor to have three other brothers right down the road. I am so excited to see what the future has for all of us.”

The installation ceremony was particularly meaningful to Dorsett. Addressing those in attendance at the installation ceremony, he said, “You know [Logan] as a pastor, and he is a good pastor. You’re going to love that. I know him as an incredible husband to my daughter. I know him as an incredible father to my three grandchildren. I’ve never met a better father. All together, that makes him a pretty good dude.”

BCNE Chairman of the Board Neal Davidson was on hand as a keynote speaker. He encouraged Pastor Loveday to model his ministry in accordance with the exhortation of the Apostle Peter who wrote, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

Looking ahead to the future, Pastor Loveday commented, “Our mission is to know Christ and to make Him known. I have seen firsthand the blessing that people experience when they choose to follow Jesus and participate in an authentic and caring church community. We hope to share that blessing with those who walk through our doors and those we engage with in our community.”

First Baptist Church is located downtown at 22 Mechanic Street, Marlborough. Services are held weekly on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

 

RELATED CONTENT: 

Vigeant wins sixth term as Marlborough mayor, Brown wins Ward 4 City Council Race – Community Advocate

Marlborough wins funding for downtown infrastructure projects (communityadvocate.com)

Green Jobs Academy opens new Marlborough facility (communityadvocate.com)

No posts to display