A few months after Ron Foster moved to The Villages from Indiana he attended a service for a new church plant.
That first service was Dec. 2, 2001 at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home.
It was a humble beginning. But Foster and the others kept the faith.
As First Baptist Church at The Villages unveils its new church building Sunday morning, Foster will be among those beaming with pride.
The bright yellow church is located on Highway 42, one-half mile west of Buena Vista Boulevard. It is golf cart accessible via 16985 SE 79th Clearview Avenue in the Village of Calumet Grove.
The church has grown to more than 700 members.
For a time, Foster was the church’s administrator and was deeply involved in all aspects of planning for the new building.
“It truly was a labor of love,” he said.
Pastor Bob Perry invites residents of The Villages, Stonecrest, Spruce Creek and surrounding areas to visit First Baptist Church at The Villages.
“People who come worship with us will find a very warm, welcoming church,” Perry said.
There are two Sunday services at the church. At 9 a.m. Sunday there is a traditional worship service with the Celebration Choir. At 11 a.m. Sunday, a contemporary worship service is held with the Praise Team and Band.
Beginning Sept. 22, Pastor Perry will kick off a sermon series on “Connecting: Relationships for Life and Eternity.”
Those in the hearing-impaired community will be interested to know that the new building has a “loop system.” Also, an interpreter for the deaf is at services.
- Pastor Bob Perry
