Before Paul Revere made his famous midnight ride shouting, "The British are coming, the British are coming," Free Will Baptists were proclaiming the truth that "Jesus is coming." Even before John Hancock penned his famous signature to the Declaration of Independence, Free Will Baptists were preaching that Jesus Christ came to set men free. Free Will Baptists contributed to the rich spiritual heritage of America even before her birth as a nation. From this fertile Biblical heritage have grown the faith and convictions, which thrust Free Will Baptists into the field to win persons to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Our first worship service was held as a revival in January 1949. Stories are still told of meeting on old dirt floors in the revival tent. Following the revival, those who had been challenged and changed decided to begin a church. The twenty years that followed were good years of expansion. The church experienced significant progress through evangelism as Fred Warner led as pastor in 1973. Rapid growth brought a need for larger facilities, and in 1976 the church relocated to its present location at 1103 East L Street. At that time this site was at the very edge of town.
In 1982, Brother Floyd Wolfenbarger became pastor. Under his leadership the church deepened in Spiritual maturity.
In August 1985, Brother Doug Little assumed the pastorate. By 1986, the church began to see significant growth again, and began planning to expand the facilities and add staff. In January of 1988, the church pursued a new pastoral position, Adult Ministry Pastor. A new education and office wing was completed in 1991, just before Allen Pointer joined the staff as Youth Pastor on a part-time basis. He also taught 5th Grade in the Russellville schools until joining the staff full-time in September 1997.
The church continued to grow, and its ministries expanded. In 1993 the church auditorium was renovated, and Dick Martin joined the staff as Worship Pastor in April of that year. A second morning worship service was added to accommodate the growing congregation, and plans began to further expand the facilities. New facilities including a multi-purpose Events Center, a commercial kitchen, a Youth center (the CAGE), another pre-school wing, and added lobby and office space, were occupied in October, 1996. These new facilities allowed the church to continue to grow, and the indebtedness on this project was paid off in October 2001, leaving the church completely debt free.
The ministry staff continued to grow with Joel Lauckner joining the staff as Children's Pastor in March of 2002. Under his direction the children’s program and facilities have continued to grow and improve.
In July 2003, Doug Little resigned to take a position with Free Will Baptist International Missions after 18 years as Senior Pastor. Kevin Riggs led the church through a time of transition before returning to Franklin, TN.
In January 2008, Blaine Rogers arrived to be the Lead Pastor at First Church. Since his arrival, we have added small group ministry and the church has continued to experience substantial and sustained growth, and is making plans for the future.
Randy Kinnick has joined our pastoral team as Equipping Pastor and will help oversee day to day administration and discipleship.