DISCIPLESHIP

OUTREACH

Foxworthy Celebrates 45 Years of Ministry

from Pastor Don Fugate

June 2002

Forty-seven years ago, some bold Christians dared to dream, believe and trust God for a church in south San Jose. Today we celebrate their faith, work and sacrifice. So many wonderful people have been part of the Foxworthy Family. As they have passed through this place, many have left an eternal investment in the kingdom ministry.

Today we celebrate the glories of the past and the promise of the future. I remember the story of those early prayer meetings in the house and the antagonism of the neighbors. I even heard that someone threw a dead chicken into a prayer meeting just to disrupt it! But the prayer and ministry persisted.

There were wonderful days in the 70's when the buildings were filled to overflowing. There were difficult days in the late 80's and 90's when coming to church was a labor of love. What strikes me most as I look over the timeline, is the faithfulness of God and His people. You have been faithful when times were good and when times were hard. Foxworthy Baptist Church was placed on this comer in San Jose by God's design. We attempt to keep the admonition to "think globally and act locally." We feel a responsibility for our community and continue to seek inroads to share the Gospel. Our annual Christmas Outreach, Block Party, Neighborhood Bible Clubs and Operation Share continue to reach new people. At the same time, we send groups to Mexico and sponsor mission trips to various parts of the world. In recent years, the church has assisted George and Martha Giles on a China mission trip, sent Jerry Boggs on a church building mission to Jerusalem, sent Beth Davis to Venezuela, Gerry and Susan Vanderford to Japan and supported dozens of student mission trips around the world. We also help support over 5,000 foreign missionaries through our giving to the Cooperative Program.

Foxworthy has also been a training ground for ministers. Rick Muchow, Worship Pastor at Saddleback Community Church, Mike Janz, Pastor in Rosamond, Frank Capiaux, Pastor in Salinas, Mitch Flowers, Children's pastor in Stockton, Mike Studebaker, Social Worker in Southern California and Brenda Flowers, Director of Communications for California Baptist University all grew up in the Foxworthy Family.

Others like Mike Riggins, Associate Director of the Mission Service Corps, NAMB, Rodney Stutzman, Pastor in Prosser, Washington, Tim Kauk, Pastor in Pennsylvania, Randall Ireland, Minister of Education in Bakersfield and Rick Rinde, recent Pastor of King City, now attending Golden Gate Theological Seminary have all answered God's call to ministry.