Mancelona
Michigan
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Mancelona Baptist Church
History:
Prior to June of 1968, there was not a separated fundamental witness in the village of Mancelona, Michigan with Baptist Distinctives. A nucleus of approximately twelve families was drawn into the area within a short period of time. The work at Mancelona began to formulate as these families attended the Calvary Baptist Church of Kalkaska, Michigan. During this time the Mancelona members would drive fourteen miles one way for each service. As the proportion of Mancelona membership continued to grow in Calvary Baptist they felt God's leading in their lives to start a work in Mancelona.
This desire to start a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching, self-supporting and self-governing church soon became very acute in the hearts of the Mancelona constituency. In these formulative years God granted not only this desire, but also granted the ability to work together as a spiritual unit toward this respectable goal. The fact that the formation of the church went smoothly and with good order, along with desire and unity gave evidence to God's blessings in the start of the Mancelona Baptist Church.
A letter was sent January 29, 1968, to Rev. Guy King, General Director of the Hiawatha Baptist Mission, in Escanaba, Michigan. The letter asked if the Hiawatha Baptist Mission could help start a fundamental Baptist Church in Mancelona. The reply came February 8, 1968, bearing the news that no missionary pastors were available at that time.
During the quarterly business meeting at Calvary Baptist, the Board of Deacons recommended that Pastor Dave Earnhart send a letter to the Galilean Baptist Mission Board asking for their help. The Galilean Mission Board said that they would look into the feasibility of starting a work, and called a meeting of all those interested at the home of the Robert McDaniel's. At this meeting the director of the Mission, Rev. Larry Mattis, explained the work of the Mission Board and how they would be able to assist in starting the work. The Board also recommended that Rev. Earnhart act as Pastor for the church until one became available from the mission, subject to the church's approval.
On Saturday, May 25, 1968, a survey of Mancelona was taken to determine the interest of the town to the work being started. The results of this survey were very positive. Later a petition signed by several people was submitted to the Board of Education of the Mancelona Public School System, seeking permission to hold Sunday services in the Elementary School Building during the summer. Permission was granted for use of a portable classroom for the elementary school from June 2, 1968 - August 25, 1968.
The first service of the Mancelona Baptist Church was held June 2, 1968. Thirty-two people attended Sunday school and thirty-eight were present to hear Pastor Earnhart bring the morning message. Thirty people signed a Working Agreement drawn up by the Galilean Baptist Mission.
Prior to June of 1968, there was not a separated fundamental witness in the village of Mancelona, Michigan with Baptist Distinctives. A nucleus of approximately twelve families was drawn into the area within a short period of time. The work at Mancelona began to formulate as these families attended the Calvary Baptist Church of Kalkaska, Michigan. During this time the Mancelona members would drive fourteen miles one way for each service. As the proportion of Mancelona membership continued to grow in Calvary Baptist they felt God's leading in their lives to start a work in Mancelona.
This desire to start a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching, self-supporting and self-governing church soon became very acute in the hearts of the Mancelona constituency. In these formulative years God granted not only this desire, but also granted the ability to work together as a spiritual unit toward this respectable goal. The fact that the formation of the church went smoothly and with good order, along with desire and unity gave evidence to God's blessings in the start of the Mancelona Baptist Church.
A letter was sent January 29, 1968, to Rev. Guy King, General Director of the Hiawatha Baptist Mission, in Escanaba, Michigan. The letter asked if the Hiawatha Baptist Mission could help start a fundamental Baptist Church in Mancelona. The reply came February 8, 1968, bearing the news that no missionary pastors were available at that time.
During the quarterly business meeting at Calvary Baptist, the Board of Deacons recommended that Pastor Dave Earnhart send a letter to the Galilean Baptist Mission Board asking for their help. The Galilean Mission Board said that they would look into the feasibility of starting a work, and called a meeting of all those interested at the home of the Robert McDaniel's. At this meeting the director of the Mission, Rev. Larry Mattis, explained the work of the Mission Board and how they would be able to assist in starting the work. The Board also recommended that Rev. Earnhart act as Pastor for the church until one became available from the mission, subject to the church's approval.
On Saturday, May 25, 1968, a survey of Mancelona was taken to determine the interest of the town to the work being started. The results of this survey were very positive. Later a petition signed by several people was submitted to the Board of Education of the Mancelona Public School System, seeking permission to hold Sunday services in the Elementary School Building during the summer. Permission was granted for use of a portable classroom for the elementary school from June 2, 1968 - August 25, 1968.
The first service of the Mancelona Baptist Church was held June 2, 1968. Thirty-two people attended Sunday school and thirty-eight were present to hear Pastor Earnhart bring the morning message. Thirty people signed a Working Agreement drawn up by the Galilean Baptist Mission.