FBNN Report, February 24, 2008
Newscaster: Good Morning, this is FBNN (First Baptist News Network) reporting from the First Baptist Church in the City of Williamsburg, KY. This network was formed for the purpose of sharing with the church highlights of the 125th Anniversary Year.

On September 30, 2007, the first NEWS RELEASE was the KICK OFF for the year of celebration. The special feature was a series of interviews with three current church members who were eye witnesses to the fire on January 6, 1924, which destroyed the old church building.

Today, February 24, 2008, is the second NEWS RELEASE highlighting current ministries of the Church. Instead of looking only at the many historical accomplishments of the first 124 years, today we will feature a new outreach ministry of our Church.

Special ministries outside the doors of the Church are reaching out to people wherever people gather. There are beach and resort ministries, outreach at Olympic games, industrial chaplains military chaplains, prison chaplains, and hospital chaplains.

Equestrian ministry is a relatively new concept for most churches. I recently was told that there are 300 cowboy chaplains in Texas Baptist churches. These chaplains are sent out to the ranches to minister to the cowboys who are unable to participate in a normal church setting. For many years I have heard of racetrack chaplains who minister to jockeys and trainers who need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 1995, Dr. Larry Martin, currently the Director of the Missions Growth Team of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, assisted in organizing the Upstate Equestrian Ministry Fellowship in South Carolina. Later that year he assisted in organizing Equestrian Ministries International in Kentucky. This organization is based in Wilmore, KY. Wayne Perkins of Williamsburg is a member of Equestrian Ministries International.

During September 2005 and 2007 the Sunday School has had a Fall event at the local rodeo arena. Everyone who could attend was excited about the program featuring Wayne Perkins and his horse. At the December monthly business meeting the Church voted to include Equestrian Ministries as an outreach ministry of our Church and to name Wayne Perkins as volunteer Equestrian Minister of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, KY.

For ten years Wayne Perkins of our Church has been ministering as a chaplain at horse shows and rodeos in southeastern KY. Let us now hear from Wayne Perkins about his ministry.

Wayne, when did you start your ministry?

WAYNE:

Wayne, what do you do?

WAYNE:

Wayne, tell us a short story which illustrates your ministry.

WAYNE:

Please join with me in a word of prayer for Wayne and his serving Christ!

The 125th Anniversary Committee is interested in any corrections to the news releases and additional information or stories. If you have corrections or additions, please contact George Ramey (email: gramey@ucumberlands.edu) or the church office (phone: (606) 549-0280, email: fbcwoffice@bellsouth.net).