First Baptist Denton - Building generations

A special section of the Denton Record-Chronicle February 1, 2017

First Baptist Church of Denton invests in its children, youth with remodeled space

Church makes room for play.

Pages 4 and 5.

anges at 159 years of ch Page 12 First Baptist.

vision Church families turn ge 19 Pa into reality.

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First Baptist Church of Denton Table of Contents

Building Generations

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12-13 | Through the years A timeline of events chronicling First Baptist’s growth and change

From church archives

The exterior of First Baptist Church of Denton in the late 1950s is shown in an archive photo. About four year ago, the church decided to renovate about half of its current space and to provide a new building for the children of Denton. That work has resulted in a new facility that will make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of children and their families for decades to come.

Index: 4. First look First Baptist Church of Denton renovated 40,000 square feet of its principal building in 2016 and added 25,000 more square feet to serve the children and youth with spacious, tech-connected areas.

New facility the culmination of many years of work, service

5. Speaking their language If the church needed an example of the purpose of its newly renovated space, it’s the two-story indoor playground, awash in colors. Think of the indoor playgrounds at McDonald’s, but on steroids.

14. Old blood, new projects A lifetime member of the church, Alan Nelson has been involved with the congregation for decades, and his recent contributions to his church family have come through his profession as an architect.

19. All in the family It’s not much of a surprise both newer and older families of the church enthusiastically rallied behind the seemingly daunting project when it was first thought up about four years ago.

Managing Editor Scott K. Parks 940-566-6879 | sparks@dentonrc.com

Photography Jeff Woo 940-566-6894 | jwoo@dentonrc.com

Features Editor Lucinda Breeding 940-566-6877 | cbreeding@dentonrc.com

Reporters Harrison Long Randy Cummings

On the cover: From left to right, Joshua Lindsey, 8; Joseph Lindsey; Audrey Lindsey, 11; Angela Lindsey and Hayden Lindsey, 9, stand together in the new First Baptist Church of Denton.

Photo by Jeff Woo/DRC

n spring 1858, First Baptist Church of Denton was formed by a group of people who desired to have a church that would spread the message of Jesus Christ around the world and would meet the needs of the people of Denton.

For almost 159 years, First Baptist Church has been doing exactly that.

Love God, love people, make disciples and share Jesus has been the mission of First Baptist all of those years.

Home base for First Baptist has been 1100 Malone St. since the late 1960s. About four years ago, the church began to explore how to provide additional space and to update its current facilities. Although buildings are not the most important part of a church, they are a tool that can be used to accomplish its mission.

After a great deal of study, the church decided to renovate about one-half of its current space and to

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Dr. Jeff Williams PASTOR provide a brand-new building for the children of Denton. We believe young children and their families are the future not only of First Baptist, but also of our country.

To have a facility that was up-to-date in technology, security and functionality was extremely important.

And to have a place that was warm, inviting and just plain “cool” was important as well.

A team of church members set out to make it happen.

Since that day four years ago, countless hours have

been invested in the planning and completion of a new building and renovated space here at First Denton.

Hundreds have participated through giving funds for the facility, through their expertise in construction and through prayer asking for God’s blessings on it all.

The result is a beautiful new facility that will make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of children and their families for decades to come.

At First Baptist, we believe the future of Denton is incredibly bright, and we want to be a part of making Denton a great place to live, raise a family and make a difference in the world.

All are welcome here, welcome to come find a relationship with Jesus Christ, the one who will make all the difference in your life.

In His Love, Dr. Jeff Williams Pastor

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First look at the new First Baptist

First Baptist Church of Denton 40,000 square feet of Building renovated its principal building in 2016 and Generations added 25,000 more square feet.

The space serves the children and youth of the church with spacious, tech-connected areas.

Preschoolers and have the run of the first floor with child-size furniture, a nursery outfitted with cribs, classrooms with sinks and storage and an open space where they can gather for story time, presentations and children’s church. Preschool minister Shirley Jones estimates each child in the church’s Christian day care has 35 square feet each to move around in.

Elementary school children have second-floor classrooms — also with child-size furniture — and a worship center outfitted with video gaming technology and a big, colorful stage. When the students are finished with children’s church, they go to classrooms organized by age.

Middle and high school students have their own space on the second floor of the new building. A worship area comes complete with a stage wired for live music, Wi-Fi for internet access and a lot of intimate seating clusters for group conversation.

Photos by Jeff Woo/DRC

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The staff of First Baptist Church of Denton takes in the new indoor playground area, featuring a large playset and other activities, on Jan. 18.

Kids pastor Chris Barfield stands near an entrance to the Kids Worship Center.

This area is where pastor Jeff Williams greets guests at the church prior to and after services.

Congratulations on your new children and preschool building.

We know you will touch many lives with it, and we appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this great effort.

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Speaking their language

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Remodeled spaces gives First Baptist children safe, lively space to learn

By Lucinda Breeding Staff Writer cbreeding@dentonrc.com

f First Baptist Church of Denton needed an example of the purpose of its newly renovated space, it’s the two-story indoor playground, awash in colors.

Think of the indoor playgrounds at McDonald’s, but on steroids.

First Baptist has invested in children and youth.

“I would say when you walk into this building, this space, you see intentionality, you see heart, you see a desire to protect and a desire to shepherd,” said Kyle Wassom, the church’s student minister.

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“I have a 1-year-old now. ... If she had been 1 or 2 years old when I first came here ... just what I’ve seen in terms of the improvements, the rooms, the security, I feel incredibly at ease to just bring her here and drop her off. I think for a lot of people, they want to feel like their kids are safe. They want to feel like their child is part of something.”

The church started a $13 million capital campaign in 2012 to remodel 40,000 square feet and add 25,000 square feet to the large Denton church, which sits on Malone and Crescent streets.

And just about every cent raised so far was spent making the north end of the church a safe, lively space for the youngest See NEW SPACE on 6

Jeff Woo/DRC

Kids pastor Chris Barfield mans the reception desk in between entrances to the new kids ministry and the ministry’s offices on Jan. 18 at First Baptist Church of Denton.

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New space

Building and for the teens Generations parishioners on the cusp of college.

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A safer place to play and learn “In our old space, Shirley had Grand Central Station,” said Chris Barfield, the kids pastor at First Baptist, referring to the church’s preschool minister, Shirley Jones. “Everybody plowed through that front door right by her preschool welcome desk — right by her classrooms, no matter if they had kids on the floor or not. That was just the main point of entry.

“And it’s much different now,” Barfield said. “It’s not open to ladi-da-di and everybody.”

Before the renovations, the preschool and elementary school parishioners — and the children enrolled in the church’s Childhood Development Center — used the middle of the building. Everyone who came into the church during the week and on Sundays passed the classrooms and nursery space. Pastor Jeff

Jeff Woo/DRC

The view from the front desk at First Baptist Church of Denton, looking toward the indoor playground area.

Williams said parents, guardians and the church staff felt the children weren’t as secure as they could be.

The hub In the new space, member families and parents who have children in day care walk into what Williams calls “the hub”

and have to stop at the preschool reception desk to check their child into the wing.

The hub is the new lobby and reception area — with the playground on the right, a guest services space to the left and a lot of seating and tables for people to sit, study, talk or sip coffee.

“Like a wheel, everything re-

volves around the hub,” Williams said. “So we’re saying this is what the life of our church is going to revolve around.”

Parents and guardians of kids in elementary, middle and high school go up the steps to a loft where the kids’ space reception desk awaits. An adult has to sign preschool and ele-

mentary school children in and take an identification sticker before a staffer buzzes the kids into their area. Preteens and teens can go to their space unescorted.

Each space is designed for children and youth. Children’s classrooms have sinks and storage, as well as tiny chairs and short tables.

Both the upstairs and downstairs children’s spaces have gathering spots for presentations and children’s church. Preschoolers have an open area with a stage. Upstairs, the older children have a kids worship center, with the entrance outfitted like a movie theater marquee. Inside, the kids worship center has a stage with theatrical lighting on the far end of the room. The opposite end of the room has a bank of seats, mounted flat-screen televisions and a video game system.

“I think the goal in this was speaking their language.” Barfield said. “If you’re speaking preschooler language, they know it. If you’re speaking kids’ language, they know it. If you’re See NEW SPACE on 7

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New space speaking students’ language, they know it.”

Children make up for their developing vocabulary with movement, and Barfield said the little ones are zipping around their new colorful space. A large aquarium boasts colorful fish at the wing’s entrance, too, which still can keep the little bodies busy as children watch the fish flit to and fro.

One word Barfield is hearing a lot from little ones is “Wow.” Jones said the preschoolers and daycare kids already have embraced the color-coded carpet squares that lead from the entrance to their age-level classrooms.

“I hear them all the time ‘follow the red road, follow the red road,’” Jones said. “So they’re very excited.”

Barfield said it’s not only the children who have good reports for the new spaces, either.

“The parents are the ones who’ve come back and said ‘thank you,’” he said. “They are

Building Generations

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Photos by Jeff Woo/DRC

The renovations to First Baptist Church of Denton also features a room fitted with a stage for concerts, plays or other events. the ones that appreciate the safety and security enhancements the most.”

Wassom said the youth area is designed with today’s teens in mind. The stage has a sound system for a praise band, and the church’s wireless internet allows teens to use their smartphones or watch interactive programming online.

But if the teens think they can spend their Sunday school and after-school hours scrolling

through social media or using Snapchat, Wassom said they’re mistaken.

“One of the main considerations we had when we designed our new space was that we wanted have pockets,” he said. “You’ll see when you go upstairs ... there are pockets of conversation nooks. We want teenagers, like we are now, sitting face-to-face and not behind screens. We

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New space

Building them to interact with each Generations want other and have face time.”

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Considering options Williams said a building committee considered several options before they launched the capital campaign.

“We own 90 acres of land just north of town, and one thought was to move the church up there,” Williams said. “That was an option. Another option was to build a worship center here.

Another option was just to carpet and paint what we have. This particular option was obviously the one that we chose, to build this new building and remodel a good portion of our current space. But that was a coupleyear period that we went through to get to that point. It seemed like 10.”

An architectural firm helped the church gather information from church members, and the building committee hosted a lot of meetings to answer questions and record ide-

ADDED PERKS The construction project at First Baptist Church included additional improvements: ■ Improved lighting in the parking lot for added security ■ Mounted flat screen TVs throughout the new education space ■ Interior lighting operated by a wall-mounted touchscreen ■ The first elevator in the current space, allowing teachers, parents and children with limited mobility to reach classrooms more easily ■ The church bought a building on Crescent Street, which included a lot with 86 parking spaces.

as and wishes from the congregation.

The church and the staff decided investing in the church’s children — and the children of the community who participate in the church’s day care — was the best bet.

“No doubt they’re our future,” Willams said. “The kids are our future, and we want to start early teaching kids about Christ and the difference he can make See NEW SPACE on 10

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From Page 8

New space

The new children’s classrooms at First Baptist feature colorcoordinated, carpeted tiles, where each color represents a different grade to allow children to find their way around more easily.

Building their lives. We do know that — Generations in and I’m not sure what the per-

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centage is — but the majority of people who come to know Christ do so before they graduate high school.”

Construction started in August 2015. The church demolished the Cindy Nichols Chapel to build the new hub — but the chapel’s stained glass is now in the entrance wall, with a plaque that tells its story. During the 16 months of construction, the children used the south end of the building.

“Kyle’s group was out in the gym, with the college students and adults, too,” Williams said.

“People have been meeting in kitchens, stairwells. Anywhere we could find a spot to put them.

Our new members class, we met in our bride’s dressing room.

Our people have been incredible gracious and flexible. That was kind of our word for 2016 — ‘flexibility’ — so now they’re being rewarded. It was a hectic year.”

Jeff Woo/DRC

Looking to the future The church named its capital campaign “Building Generations.” With the new space, the staff said they are poised to do just that.

“Reaching kids today is all about relationships,” Barfield said. “That’s what Jesus focused on, and that’s what we must focus on, too. Believe it or not, we’re not the neighborhood church we used to be. We literally go from Gainesville to Lewisville, from Decatur to Frisco. That is our

footprint of the people who pour into this place. How do you connect all the dots? A lot of the kids aren’t in the same schools.

They’re not even in the same school district. So the thread is Christ, he’s the one who knits us all together. That relationship building is critical.”

All over the country, Protestant churches are hemorrhaging membership. Wassom said First Baptist is hoping to hold the line by paying special attention to young Christians and seekers.

“I’m reading a book called Growing Young. There’s a seminary out in California that did, I think, a two-year study of [250] or so churches that are really really reaching the younger generation well,” Wassom said.

The research found the churches attracting young members are teaching strong biblical principals.

“It’s not watering down Jesus,” Wassom said. “If anything, it’s presenting him in everything that he is and giving a full pic-

ture of him instead of just leaving out pieces that make us uncomfortable.”

Churches with swelling ranks of younger Christians also give congregations ownership in the church’s mission and vision.

“So less emphasis on the staff doing everything and more laypeople, I guess, coming alongside of us and us all working together,” Wassom said. “If the church is going to succeed, we have to have not a ‘me’ mentality but a ‘we’ mentality. ... How can we be Jesus to the city of Denton? How can we be Jesus to Frisco and Decatur and Gainesville and Lewisville and everywhere else in between?”

Jones said First Baptist is starting with the very youngest parishioners in building a outward-focused church.

“I think if our focus on Sunday morning is on my little congregation, on my people, I think you’re on a death road.” she said.

“But as our pastor’s vision is that we really use this [building] just as a tool, and we meet the needs of the community and we’re here for them. That’s very different.”

The church’s grand opening of the new space is Sunday.

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First Baptist through the years Since its founding in 1857, First Baptist Church of Denton has been a study in evolution and vision for seekers and Southern Baptists in Denton County.

Its latest evolution is an investment in the congregation’s youngest members.

The new education space of the church can be seen as a reflection of the congregation’s work in its most immediate mission field: the city of Denton. The congregation operates First Refuge, a ministry that brings food, medicine and dental care to vulnerable families and individuals in the city.

Church leaders believe that rearing young Christians to mature in faith and discipline is an investment in future ministry that brings comfort and the gospel to those on the margins.

1857 — Original plat of first Denton town sites includes property for Baptist Church.

1886 — The Denton County Baptist Association is formed in Denton.

1915 — The church starts Mission Sunday School that becomes Highland Baptist Church.

1934 — J.D. Grey becomes pastor and later is named president of Southern Baptist Convention.

1859 — Baptists meet at Masonic Hall on South Elm Street for 12 years.

1875 — The first Sunday School established.

1860’s

1858 — Twelve charter members meet for first time in log Courthouse on the Square.

1871 — Baptists meet at Cumberland Presbyterian Church for next five years.

1870’s

1925 — J.N. Rayzor family presents church with new pipe organ.

1907 — Dorcus Society is formed and becomes Young Women’s Auxiliary.

1880’s

1890’s

1897 — The church erects a new building on lot at West Hickory and Cedar streets.

1876 — Services begin at Denton Baptist Church’s first permanent home at West Hickory and Cedar streets.

1900’s

1910’s

1911 — The Baptist Young People’s Union becomes the Baptist Training Union.

1916 — First church parsonage built for $3,000.

1917 — Church burns down.

All records lost.

Church members participate in a show during the 2000 Christmas Celebration.

1920’s

1930’s

1920 — W.C. McClung begins 10-year tenure as pastor.

1936 — The first Vacation Bible School is held.

1918 — First services held in newly built church on West Oak facing Piner Street.

13 An interior shot of the Worship Center at First Baptist in 1999 before its remodeling.

Cars sit in the parking lot outside the church in the late 1950s.

1956 — Church expands to two Sunday morning

1984 — D.L. Armstrong retires after 29 years as pastor.

services at 8:30 and 10:50.

1958 — The church 1940 — The church

1987 — A new Sunday School class starts at Wyatt’s Cafeteria.

1997 — Dr. Jeff Williams becomes pastor of First Baptist Church.

observes its centennial.

helps establish West Side Baptist Church, which

1960 — Church begins Christian education program at Denton State School.

later becomes Towne North Baptist Church.

1940’s

1950’s

1947 — Church purchases a lot at 700 W. Oak St. for a new parsonage.

1960’s

1970’s

1967 — First services hosted in new church on Malone Street.

1961 — Church purchases 13.75 acres at

2015 — Building permits were issued for the new additions.

1999 — The Worship Center is remodeled

1980’s

1990’s

1979 — Mission on Teasley becomes Southmont Baptist Church.

1978 — First Baptist votes to sponsor a new church on Teasley Lane.

2000’s

2014 — Church begins $13 million capital campaign for renovations and additions.

2016 — Property added to the church to make room for additions for new classroom space and amenities for children.

1100 Malone St. and approves $68,000 for new building.

2017 — Church celebrates 10th anniversary Keith McGee as minister of music.

Children sing during the 2003 First Baptist Fourth of July Celebration.

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Building Generations

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From left to right, student minister Kyle Wasson; preschool minister Shirley Jones; kids pastor Chris Barfield; associate student minister Grant McKay; and pastor Jeff Williams stand in the new preschool area Jan. 18 at First Baptist Church of Denton.

Old blood, new projects For architect, professional life mixes with church family on addition

By Harrison Long | Staff Writer | hlong@dentonrc.com

n a time of instant communication and boundless information at our fingertips, where it could be argued that commitment to any endeavor lasts no longer than our ever-shrinking attention span, it is rare to hear of a dedication spanning generations.

This is not including Alan Nelson.

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A lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Denton, Nelson has been involved with the congregation for decades, serving in different capacities as he has been called upon. A founding member and principal architect at the Denton-based Nelson + Morgan Architects firm, along with partner Kelly Morgan, Nelson’s recent contributions to his church family have come through the lens of his profession.

“I’ve known Alan about 19 and one-half years,” said Jeff Williams, pastor of First Baptist.

“As an architect, he has been invaluable the process of building on to our church.”

A few years ago, when the church first began planning its recently opened addition to the

Malone Street campus, Alan was called to serve his congregation.

Nelson’s parents moved to Denton in 1955, with him graduating from Denton High School in 1973 and Texas Tech in 1978.

He returned to Denton after his undergraduate education, receiving his architectural registration in 1982. Apart from his years in Lubbock, he has been a member of First Baptist the entire time.

“I was raised at the Oak Street location,” he said. “I believe they moved to the Malone Street location when I was in junior high. It has played a huge part in mine and my family’s life.”

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From Page 14

Nelson

Building Generations

An evolving church Nelson gives three key elements the master plan committee takes into consideration when taking on a new project: worship attendance, education and parking.

“We started Phase 1 in about 2013,” Nelson said. “At that point, we had already been working on reports of how best to proceed for three or four years.”

The additions were opened to members of the congregation about three weeks ago. Williams said he hopes the additional space will provide an outlet in which the church can reach local families.

“Buildings aren’t everything — they aren’t even the main thing,” said Williams. “They are a tool in which we can reach into the community and serve those in need.”

Despite this disposition, Williams expresses his gratitude with the new facilities, as well as his appreciation for

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Photos by Jeff Woo/DRC

Pastor Jeff Williams relaxes in the sitting area on the second level at the new First Baptist Church of Denton on Jan. 18. those involved. “[The previous facilities] were severely outdated,” he said.

“They were built in the late 1960s and lacked a lot of the necessary upgrades that have come in that time. I know families will appreciate the security and community of our church that the additions will be able to provide.”

One of the principal goals in the construction of the new building, according to both Nelson and Williams, is to place an

emphasis on Christian education for young people.

“We had to consider a worship center expansion versus an educational expansion,” Nelson said. “As we’re completing the first phase, I’d say we’ve struck a nice balance.

“We have a better opportunity to meet the needs of families — particularly young families — with these new additions. It is a children-oriented project. We want to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Kids pastor Chris Barfield sits near an aquatic-themed stage in the Kids Worship Center at the church.

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Church constantly busy with activities Pastor Jeff Williams likes to see First Baptist Church bustling all week long.

The big Denton church is a busy one, and that’s by design, Williams said. People and signage are important.

“My goal is that we use these buildings as much as possible,” the pastor said. “Doesn’t make much sense to build a church that you use two hours on Sunday morning, and then the rest of the week, buildings sit empty. So we try to use them the best we can.”

The church divides its weekly schedule between meetings, study groups and programs for members of Fist Baptist and groups, programs and meetings from the community.

CHILDREN & TEENS Childcare Development Center — This Christian childcare program serves Denton families with children in preschool through Kindergarten.

The daycare program runs 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with all-day and half-day options. www.firstdenton.org/cdc.

Mother’s Day Out — This Christian childcare program teaches a range of skills — computer lab, art, Bible lessons, music, Spanish and more from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays. For tuition, registration and medical release, visit www.first denton.org/mothers-day-out.

Sonlight Homeschool Enrichment — This program brings homeschool students and parents out of their homes to share classes in language arts, science, music and physical education for kindergarten through high school senior age groups. Meets 8:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays. Band is offered from 2:45-3:45 pm for students in fifth through 12th grades.

After school program — Children in kindergarten through fifth grade can be enrolled in this program, which meets 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays. The church offers transportation from Newton Rayzor, Evers, Ginnings and Woodrow Wilson elementary schools. $140 per child monthly. Register online at www.firstdenton.org/afterschool.

ADULTS Band of Brothers — This men’s Bible study promotes Christian leadership in family life, spiritual discipline and evangelism within the church and the community. Meets 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Christian Life Center.

Moms Connect — This women’s group meets 9:30 a.m. Thursdays, with free childcare with reservation. www.firstdenton.org/moms-connect.

Women’s Bible Study — meets 5 to 7 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 12; 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays (no childcare). Registration required. www.first denton.org/womens-bible-studies.

39er Luncheon & Program — This program is for ages 55 and older.

Meets 11:30 a.m. on the second Friday of the month in the Fellowship Hall. www.firstdenton.org/adult55.

Game Day — Ages 55 and up meet for table games from 1 to 4 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month in the Fellowship Hall. www.first denton.org/adult55 Celebrate Recovery — A Christian 12-step program that helps those with addictions, compulsions and dysfunctional behaviors through application of biblical principals and intentions. Includes worship, large groups and men’s and women’s groups. Begins with dinner at 5:45 and ends at 8:30 p.m. on Mondays. Childcare by reservation only. www.firstdenton.org/celebrate-recovery.

GriefShare — For those who have lost loved ones. Meets 6 to 8 p.m.

Wednesdays in Room S-111 in the South Hall. $15 for the workbook. www.firstdenton.org/grief-share.

Divorce Care — Offers help and encouragement for both adults and children after divorce. Meets to 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays from Feb. 11 to May 3 in Room W101. www.firstdenton .org/divorce-care.

Embrace Grace — An 11-week group that provides emotional, practical and spiritual support for single, young women who find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy.

Meets at various times and days at the church. Details available upon registration. For more information, email firstdentonsinglemoms @gmail.com. www.firstdenton.org/ embrace-grace.

Making Peace With Your Past — Group ministry helps participants heal and deal with past hurts, confront emotional wounds and resolve negative feelings. Meets 5 to 7 p.m. on Sundays in the Bride Room. $15 for workbook. Group will be closed to new members after the second meeting.

For more information about upcoming meetings, call 940-382-2577, ext. 161.

Bridge Ministry — Support group for adults struggling with unemployment, plus resources to prepare for future employment. Meets 7 p.m. on the first and third Monday of the month. For more information, email bridge@firstdenton.org or call 940382-2577, ext. 106.

Upward Basketball & Cheerleading — Designed to help build a healthy competitive spirit for athletes, for boys and girls in kindergarten through sixth grade. $85 per child, includes their uniform. Games are on Saturdays. For more information, email codyl@firstdenton.org.

For more information about church life, visit First Baptist at 1100 Malone St., call 940-382-2577 or visit www.firstdenton.org.

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Generations gone by An interior shot of the sanctuary room at the church around the late 1950s.

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Church members take a group photo March 5, 1922, outside the building.

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“To God Be The Glory” 19

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Jeff Woo/DRC

The staff of First Baptist Denton sits with a variety of stuffed animals Jan. 18 in the Kids Worship Center at First Baptist Church of Denton.

All in the family Church members old and new gladly give to help congregation realize vision

By Randy Cummings For the Denton Record-Chronicle

bout four years ago, when family members of First Baptist Church of Denton initially let their dreams of expansion slowly begin to materialize into reality, it probably wasn’t much of a surprise both newer and older families enthusiastically rallied behind the daunting project.

After all, the church’s overriding goal of the massive building campaign seemed to be one that would touch nearly everyone: create an inclusive place that would serve current and future generations striving to learn and live the word of God. It makes sense, then, the title given to the enterprise was “Building Generations.”

For Jane and Greg Naugher, lifelong church members whose kids grew up attending First Baptist, they now have grandchildren who will be able to reap the benefits of an updated and modernized educational and child care facility.

And for younger couples, such as Lauren and Ryan Atkin-

A

son, their excitement revolves around the possibility of their two preschool children growing up in the church in an encouraging and inspiring atmosphere conducive to learning.

“In the world we live in today, with the younger generation — and young adults, too — it’s more of an entertainment mentality,” said Jane Naugher. “We’re all about getting people to learn about Jesus, but to get them in the door, you have to give them something besides just a hallway to walk down.

“We really believe in helping those young families raise their children for God and to give them the tools they need. They expect these things. To bring them in, we needed to update because that’s what they want.”

The three-year, multimilliondollar construction project required immediate and enthusiastic investment — both personally and financially — from the church’s members. It became a shared vision nearly all came to support.

See FAMILIES on 20

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Photos by Jeff Woo/DRC

Kids pastor Chris Barfield sits in his office Jan. 18 at First Baptist Church of Denton.

From Page 19

Families “I thought, ‘Wow, we are not going to be able to do this,’” said Lauren Atkinson, recalling her first reaction to the project’s plans. “On our own, we would not be able to do this. But through being faithful servants and being committed to contributing just a little bit extra and maybe cutting back on

some things here at our house and our daily expenses, we would be able to give a little bit more.

“It’s really neat to see it come to fruition now,” she added. “The last three years, we’ve been committed to praying and committed to giving financially to this — for our kids and for future gener-

Student minister Kyle Wasson right, plays guitar with associate student minister Grant McKay on the new concert stage in the church’s new building. ations to be able to benefit from this.”

When the church’s fundraising drive began three years ago, the Naughers made their initial contributions part of their fami-

ly’s Christmas experience.

“For us as a couple, you can never sacrifice enough for Jesus,” Jane Naugher said. “And that meant cutting down on other things in order to give monthly.

That first Christmas, we told our family that part of your Christmas is to give to this kickoff to the church.”

See FAMILIES on 21

Congratulations on your new Preschool, Children, and Student Education Building!

Praying for God’s Blessings as you minister to His Children.

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From Page 20

Families Alan Nelson, a Denton architect whose attendance at First Baptist dates to the mid-1950s, has had key roles in previous remodeling and expansion projects at First Baptist over the years.

This time, however, his 36year-old son Scott, a principal in charge at HH Architects in Dallas, took the lead in designing the newest growth project.

“The ultimate goal in this was not merely a bricks-and-mortar building,” the elder Nelson explained. “It was about creating the spaces and environment and the facilities that can provide the place to do the Christian education and grow all the kids and the adults that are using that space.

“It’s a ministry tool. It’s about what goes on inside the building. We’ve got new space that can now perform the way we needed it to perform as we go through our Christian education and the life of our membership.”

Those “bricks and mortar”

21

Congratulations on the opening of the new Children and Preschool Building in Denton Thank You for All You Do, First Baptist Church

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Jeff Woo/DRC

Preschool minister Shirley Jones works in her office Jan 18 at First Baptist Church of Denton. certainly have given the church a beautiful new appearance members hope will attract new generations to what First Baptist has to offer.

“In our hearts, we want our church to not only be a blessing for our church members, but for other people in the community,”

Greg Naugher said. “We feel like we’ve had a part in helping create something that kids — some who aren’t even born yet — will have the opportunity to come and learn about Jesus and the way to live life.”

And, he quickly added, “That’s exciting.”

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Generations gone by

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A group of children pay attention to a demonstration in 2008 at the church.

Photos from church archives

Worship ceremony takes place during an unknown year at First Baptist Church of Denton.

Church members take part in a show during the 2000 Christmas Celebration at the church.

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Congratulations to the First Denton congregation and everyone who helped make First Denton’s vision a reality.

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