FBNN Report, March 30, 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.

In 1893 the FBC of Williamsburg called John Prestridge as pastor. He was pastor of the Church from 1893-1897, and also President of Williamsburg Institute (later University of the Cumberlands) from 1895-97. In 1897 he moved to Louisville and began editing THE BAPTIST ARGUS, an independent newspaper in support of William H. Whitsitt, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Whitsitt was fired in 1899. Prestridge and others supported Edgar Young Mullins in his election as the next seminary President in 1899. John Prestridge and E. Y. Mullins organized the Baptist World Alliance in 1905. Prestridge served as Executive Secretary until his death in 1913. John Prestridge is called the FATHER OF THE BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE. THE BAPTIST ARGUS is still published as THE BAPTIST WORLD, official publication of the Baptist World Alliance.

The participation by members of FBC includes the attendance at many of the nineteen meetings of the Baptist World Alliance every five years and at many of the fourteen meetings of the Baptist World Youth Conferences.

From 1984-87 Chamunorwa and Sithembile Chiromo (who were known to us as Henry and Tambe Chiromo) from Zimbabwe were members of First Baptist Church. They both graduated from Cumberland College (University of the Cumberlands) in 1987. From 1984-88 Henry Chiromo was the African Vice President of the Youth Department of the Baptist World Alliance. While he was a student at Cumberland, he was a speaker at the 1985 Baptist World Alliance meeting in Los Angeles, CA. At the 2005 meeting in Birmingham, England, he was elected as the African Vice President of the Baptist World Alliance.

Today we have a special recognition. While Henry and Tambe were a part of our Church community, twins were born to their family. The older daughter, Linda, was active in our children's programs. Linda has graduated from the University. The twins are currently enrolled at the University. They are Marcella and Nicholas. Many families in our Church assisted this family with the new born twins.

Other Church members who have participated in Baptist World Alliance meetings are listed in printed copy of NEWS RELEASE #4.

Partial list of BWA participants from First Baptist Church, Williamsburg, KY
*Former members of FBC

BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE CONGRESS

BAPTIST WORLD YOUTH CONGRESS

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).