FirstBaptistChurchofGlendale

2013Church&CommunityProfile

TheFirstBaptistChurchofGlendale,Californiawasfoundedin1904andhasfunctionedconstantlyasaBaptistwitnesssinceitsinception.ThecongregationisalignedwiththeAmericanBaptistChurches,USAandisregionallyrelatedthroughtheAmericanBaptistChurchesofLosAngeles.

The“FirstBaptistChurchofGlendale,California,”isincorporatedasanonprofitreligiousinstitutionunderthelawsoftheStateofCalifornia,andisgovernedbyits2009RevisedConstitutionandBy‐Laws.

ThepurposeoftheChurch:

(ChurchConstitution,Article2)

1. TheworshipofAlmightyGodandthepreachingandteachingoftheGospelofJesusChrist.2. ThepracticeofChristiandiscipleshipandfellowshipasrevealedandtaughtthroughtheHoly

ScriptureundertheguidanceoftheHolySpirit.3. ThepromotionandadvancementofChrist’sKingdomthroughouttheearth.ThisChurchaffirmsandascribestothehistoricAmericanBaptistDistinctives:

• JesusChristasLordandSavior• TheHolyBibleasourruleforfaithandpractice• Priesthoodofallbelieversinthepracticeofthefaith• CelebrationofBeliever’sBaptismandtheLord’sSupper• Separationofchurchandstate• Religiousliberty/soulfreedom• Autonomyofthelocalchurch

TheVisionoftheChurch&OurMission:WeseektobeafaithfulwitnessoftheLordJesusChristinourcommunity,region,andtheworld.Tothatend,ourchurchhasadoptedthefollowingpracticesinbecomingafruitfulcongregation:

• RadicalHospitality• PassionateWorship• IntentionalDiscipleship• RiskTakingMissionEndeavors• ExtravagantGenerosity

ThesefivepracticesareoutlinedindepthinRobertSchnase’sbook,FivePracticesofFruitfulCongregations.Twooftheguidingphrasesofthelastsixyearshavebeen:“MovingTraditionsForward”&“DeepRoots…FreshFruits”

ReachingouttotheneighborhoodinChrist’s

love…RADICALHOSPITALITY

ExperiencingPASSIONATEWORSHIP

SundayClasses&MondayEveningStudies:INTENTIONALDISCIPLESHIP

RISKTAKINGMISSIONmeanssteppingintotheneedsofourcommunity.

The Practice of EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY describes an unselfish willingness to give in order to make a positive difference for the purposes of Christ. Congregations that practice Extravagant Generosity give in ways that exceed all expectations and extend to unexpected measures.

2013WinterShelterforHomelessinourGym.

Fruitfulcongregationsthrivebecauseofextraordinarysharing,willingsacrifice,andjoyousgivingoutofloveforGodandneighbor.

AHistoricalOverviewoftheCommunityinwhichweserve:

Glendale'searliestknowninhabitantsweretheTongvaIndians.AmongthefirstknownEuropean‐AmericanwasafarmerandsoldiernamedJoséMaríaVerdugo,whosettledlandgrantedtohimin1798.Glendalewasincorporatedasacityin1906.Glendale's"GrandCentralAirport",nowownedbyDisney,hadthefirstpavedrunwayonthewestcoastin1923.ItiswhereJackNorthropstartedbuildingairplanesandisthesitewhereHowardHughesbuilthisH‐1Racer.DuringWorldWarIIitwasatrainingfieldforP‐38pilotsofthe319thFighterWing.

In1992GlendalewasoneoftheFinalistCommunitiesforthe"All‐AmericaCityAward"givenbytheNationalCivicLeague.

Asofthe2010Census,thecitypopulationis191,719,makingitthethirdlargestcityinLosAngelesCountyandthe22ndlargestcityinthestateofCalifornia.

GlendaleliesattheeasternendoftheSanFernandoValley,bisectedbytheVerdugoMountains,andisasuburbintheGreaterLosAngelesArea.ThecityisborderedtothenorthwestbytheSunValleyandTujunganeighborhoodsofLosAngelescounty;tothenortheastbyLaCañadaFlintridgeandtheunincorporatedareaofLaCrescenta;tothewestbyBurbankandGriffithPark;totheeastbyEagleRockandPasadena;tothesouthbytheAtwaterVillageneighborhoodofLosAngeles.TheGoldenState,Ventura,Glendale,andFoothillfreewaysrunthroughthecity.

Glendale'sForestLawnMemorialParkCemeterycontainstheremainsofmanynotedcelebritiesandlocalresidents.GlendaleisalsohometooneofthelargestcommunitiesofArmeniansintheUnitedStates.

Climate

GlendalehasaMediterraneanclimate.ThewarmestmonthisAugustandthecoolestmonthisJanuary.TherainfallishighestinFebruaryandlowestinJuly.Theaveragehightemperatureis78degreesandtheaveragelowtemperatureis58degrees.Fallbringsniceweather,butthesemonthscanbeverywindyduetotheSantaAnaWinds,blowinginonceortwiceayearfromOctobertoDecember.TheSantaAna'sbringverygustywindswhichcanreachupto60or70milesperhour.Gustsmayreachupto100mphinmountainpassesandcanyons.ThereareanywherefromonetoseventhunderstormsinGlendaleperyear.Theyarerarelysevere.

Economy

AccordingtotheCity's2011ComprehensiveAnnualFinancialReport,thetopemployersinthecityareasfollows(withnumberofemployeesgiven):GlendaleAdventistMedicalCenter(2,234),Cityof

Glendale(2,122),GlendaleUnifiedSchoolDistrict(1,886),GlendaleMemorialMedicalCenter(1,463),GlendaleCommunityCollege(1,406),Nestlé(1,269),WaltDisneyImagineering(1,025),DiagnosticLaboratories(931)

Industry and development

CompanieslikeNestle,Citi,Unum,andCignahaveofficesdowntownnearthechurchcampus.

TheBob'sBigBoychainofhamburgerrestaurantsstartedinGlendaleonEastColoradoinAugust1936,andtheBaskin‐Robbins,"31Flavors"chainoficecreamparlorsstartedinAdamsSquarein1945.

Thecitysawsignificantdevelopmentinthe1970s,withthecompletionoftheGlendaleFreeway(Highway2)andtheVenturaFreeway(Highway134).

Re‐developmentofBrandBoulevardisinfullprocessandfeaturestheon‐goingrenovationofthe1925AlexTheatre(whichbacksuptothechurch’sMarylandAvenueParkingLot).

SeverallargecompanieshaveofficesinGlendale.TheU.S.headquartersoftheSwissfoodsmultinationalNestléandInternationalHouseofPancakesarelocatedinGlendale.TheLosAngelesregionalofficeofCalifornia'sStateCompensationInsuranceFundisinGlendale.

In1994,StevenSpielberg,JeffreyKatzenbergandDavidGeffenformedDreamWorksSKG,adiversifiedentertainmentcompany.DreamWorksAnimationremainslocatedinthecity'sGrandCentralBusinessPark.TheWaltDisneyCompanyalsohasalargecampuslocatedintheGrandCentralBusinessParkthatincludestheheadquartersforitsImagineeringandConsumerProductsdivisions,TheMuppetsStudio,andbyApril2013,MarvelStudios.TheDisney‐ownedKABC‐TVisheadquarteredonthepropertywhichislocatedatthesouthwestendoftheImagineeringcampus.

AstudybyanoutsideconsultingorganizationhiredbythecityshowedthatpeoplefeltGlendalewasboring.Afterseeingtheresultsofthestudy,theGlendaleCityCouncilvotedtoappropriate$1milliontoundertakeanimagecampaignentitled:“YourLife.Animated,”drawingonthestrongDisney,DreamWorks,MuppetStudioandMarvelComicpresenceinthecity.

Shopping

Glendalehasawideselectionforshoppers,onebeingtheGlendaleGalleria(withinwalkingdistancetothechurch),whichisanchoredbyMacy's,Target,J.C.PenneyandsoontobeopenedBloomingdales.

The“AmericanaatBrand”isa15.5‐acreoutdoorshoppingandresidentialcommunity.ItopenedtothepublicinMay,2008,andfeatures75shopsandrestaurants,238apartments,100condominiums,andaPacificTheatres18‐plexCinemawhichseats3000people.TheAmericanaatBrandisanupscaleoutdoormallwhichincludesstoressuchasTiffany&Co.,H&M,ArmaniExchange,True

Religion,Forever21andUrbanOutfitters.TheAmericanaatBrandsoonwillbehometoanewNordstrom’sthatwaspreviouslywaslocatedinsidetheGlendaleGalleria.

SinceFBCofGlendaleisahistoricdowntownchurch,alltheshoppingareasareeasilyaccessiblefromthechurchproperty.

ShoppingcanalsobedoneatMontroseShoppingParkinNorthGlendale.TheshoppingparkrunsdownHonoluluAvenueandisfilledwithmanystoresandrestaurants.Knownasthe“MayberryofL.A.”anddedicatedtoasmalltownfeel,thiscommunityisagreatplacetovisit.

Demographics

The2010UnitedStatesCensusreportedthatGlendalehadapopulationof191,719.Thepopulationdensitywas6,268.6peoplepersquaremile.TheracialmakeupofGlendalewas

• 136,226(71.1%)WhiteAnglo/Caucasian

• 33,414persons(17.4%)HispanicorLatinoraces• 31,434(16.4%)Asian(6.9%Filipino,5.4%Korean,1.3%Chinese,0.9%Indian,0.6%

Japanese,0.4%Vietnamese,0.9%OtherAsian)• 2,573(1.3%)AfricanAmerican,• 531(0.3%)NativeAmerican,• 122(0.1%)PacificIslander,• 12,146(6.3%)fromotherraces,and8,687(4.5%)fromtwoormoreraces.

AnumberofnotablepeoplearenativesoforhavelivedinGlendale,including:

• WoodyGuthrie,musician• DonKnotts,actor• MarioLopez,TVshowhost• MichaelRichards,actor• NicoleRichie,actress• PatSajak,TVhost• RickSpringfield,musician• EmoPhilips,comedian• CaseyStengel,MLBplayerandmanagerfortheNewYorkYankees,BrooklynDodgers,New

YorkMetsandBostonBraves,amongothers• JohnWayne,actor

FirstBaptistChurchofGlendale:HISTORICALINFORMATION:

FirstBaptistChurchofGlendalebeganastheresultofagroupofChristiansmeetingtoforprayerinthehomeofMr.&Mrs.S.C.MarchantonJuly5,1904.TheirdesirewastodiscernhowtheycouldbeusedofGodtosharethegospeltotheirnewlyemergingcityofGlendale,California.Thecitywasnotyetincorporated,butthisgroupofbelieverssawthegrowthcomingandwantedtoexplorethepossibilitiesofestablishingaChristianwitnessasBaptistsinthecity.AlocalBaptistpastor,Rev.S.C.OhrunandRev.AlonzoM.Petty,amissionaryassignedtohelpchurchesdevelopinSouthernCaliforniawereinvitedtoconducttheprayertimeanddiscussion.Astheylistenedtooneanother,onesenseditappropriatetoproposeamotiontoformaBaptistchurch.IntrueBaptistpolity,aftersomediscussion,anaffirmativevotebroughtintoexistencethenucleusofourcongregation.TheirsenseofGodmovingamongthemwassostrongthatwithinthreeweeksofthatinitialgathering,twenty‐twochartermembersagreedtoorganizethiscongregation.ThegroupdecidedthechurchwouldbecalledtheCalvaryBaptistChurchofGlendale(anamethatwasusedforaboutfiveyearswhenitwasdecidedtochangeittotheFirstBaptistChurchofGlendale,California).ProminentamongthefoundingcongregationalleaderswereMr.J.M.Banker,Mr.&Mrs.D.B.Beers,Mr.andMrs.C.E.Damerell,Mr.&Mrs.S.C.Marchant,Mr.&Mrs.A.A.Miller,Mr.&Mrs.J.L.Overton,H.M.Overton,Mr.&Mrs.J.T.Rawlins,OniaRawlinsandMr.&Mrs.G.W.Wallace.

Thefirsttwomonths,Rev.OhrumactedasPastorofthenewlyformedchurch.Rev.C.W.Iler,whowaspreachingattheBaptistChurchofSouthPasadenaonSundaymornings,wascalledtocomeandleadtheGlendaleChurch.ServicesmovedfromhomestotheOddFellowsHallinGlendaleoneachSundayafternoonatthreeo'clock.TheneedtoeducateanddevelopmembersandguestsalikewaskeenlyfeltbyBrotherIler.Rev.IlerbecamealeaderinSouthernCaliforniaBaptistchurchesasanadvocatefordevelopingChristianworkers.HeledthechurchtobeginaSundayschoolwhichwouldbecomprisedofthreeageappropriateclassesforchildren,youth,andadults.Rev.IlerledaconferenceontheimportanceofdevelopingworkersinthechurchatthefirstannualmeetingoftheBaptistAssemblyofSouthernCaliforniaheldinLongBeach,CA(July28‐Aug19,1907)i

Thechurchsoonoutgrewthehalltheyhadrentedandbegantolookforabuildingsiteonwhichtoerectapermanentchurchhome.ThechurchfeltledtopurchasetwolotsforsaleatthecornerofLouiseandWilsonStreetsatacostof$450.Abuildingfundwasestablishedandthefirstchurchbuildingwasbegun.Thecostofthisstructurewas$3,000.Churchrecordsindicatebuildingcostswere“keptatthisverylowfigurebecauseofthe

workduringtheirsparetimeofagroupofthefaithfulmembers,amongwhomwereBrothersBanker,Beers,Damerell,Marchant,Miller,Overton,RawlinsandWallace.”(ChurchDirectoryHistoricalHighlights,June1,1929).

Rev.AlonzoM.Petty,knowntomanyasthe"FatheroftheGlendaleBaptistChurch,"andMr.Banker,wereinstrumentalininfluencingaparticipationinthefinancingofthismovementbysuchgoodSouthernCaliforniaBaptistsasDeaconRichardGreenofLosAngeles,AlfredP.GriffithofAzusa,D.K.Edwards,andHanna.AthertonBaldwin,alsoofLosAngeles,aswellasthelateL.C.Brandandvariousothersinandoutofthedenomination.TheconventionoftheLosAngelesCityMissionBoard(nowknownastheAmericanBaptistChurchesofLosAngeles)alsorenderedfinancialassistanceandaidwithoutwhichtheworkcouldnothaveprogressedasitdid.

Rev.AlonzoPettywasnotonlyinstrumentalinhelpingestablishthechurchandwatch

overitsdevelopment.Hiswife,Annawholovedmissionworkasmuchasherhusband,joinedthechurchandbecametheleaderofmissionssupportinthecongregation.Theywerestrong,faithfulmembersthatmadeatremendousdifferenceinthebeginningyearsofthechurch.

DuringthenextfouryearsahealthygrowthinstrengthofmembershipandspiritualactivitywasrealizedunderthepastoralleadershipofRev.E.K.Fischer,(PastorfromJuly,1905,toApril,1906)andRev.W.F.Stone(PastorfromMarch31,1906,toJune,1908).

Duringtheirbrieftenure,Rev.FischerandRev.Stoneledthechurchtoeradicateallitsdebtonthelandandconstructionandseegainsinmembershipthatthemembershipreachednearonehundred.

OnJuly1st,1908,thechurchinaunanimousvotecalledRev.A.F.Moodyaspastor.HispastoralleadershipinauguratedaperiodofchurchgrowththatexpandedthechurchwitnessandinfluenceinGlendale.Onechurchdocumentreportsasa“resultofthede‐votedanduncompromisingChristianspiritamongthechurchmembers…andwiththeaidofMrs.Moodyandtheirtwodaughters,suchnecessarypartsoftheChurchlifeastheWomen'sMissionarySocietywasformed.”Mrs.MoodywasinstrumentalintheformationoftheChoirandothermusicalactivitieswhich“tookonahealthygrowthbecauseoftheiractivepersonalparticipation…andtheirfineChristiancharacterandspirit.”DuringRev.Moody'spastoratetheChurchwasincorporated,onApril1,1909,underthenameitnowhas,TheFirstBaptistChurchofGlendale,California.J.M.Banker,H.F.Fryer,andJamesHoffmanactedasincorporators,representingthemembershipinthislegaltransaction.

OnSeptember1,1910,Rev.EugeneHaines,ofVermont,wascalledasPastor.Underhispastoralleadership,whichcontinueduntilApril16,1913,heledthecongregationtoexpandanderectnew$11,000.00ChurchBuildingandSundaySchoolclassrooms.PastorHainestookanactivepartintheplanningandbuildingofthenewChurchhome(CurrentlytheGethsemaneChapel)aswellasleadingthechurchtogrowinnumbersandspirit.DuringthisbusytimethespiritualcareoftheChurchwasneverforamomentlostsightof,aswasevidencedbytheformingoftwoactiveyoungpeople'sgroupsunderthesupervisionofMrs.Haines.AverysteadyandhealthygrowthwasexperiencedduringtheRev.&Mrs.Hainesdevotedservice.

Rev.JohnH.TroyservedasPastorfromOctober,1913,toMarch,1916.HewasanexceptionalstudentofscriptureandwaswellrespectedamongfellowBaptistpastorsforhisabilitytosharethegospelmessagethroughscholarlyteaching.

Troy’sacumenatcommunicatingscripturaltruthandhisabilitytoconnectwithanaudienceledagroupof50localBaptistpastorstoaskhimtorepresentthemandothermainlinedenominationsinadebateoverscripturalinterpretationwithJosephFranklinRutherford(November8,1869–January8,1942),alsoknownas"Judge"Rutherford.HewasahighpoweredlawyerwhobecamethesecondpresidentoftheWatchTowerBibleandTractSociety.HeplayedaprimaryroleintheorganizationanddoctrinaldevelopmentofJehovah'sWitnesses,whichemergedfromtheBibleStudentmovementestablishedbyCharlesTazeRussell.

Rutherford wrote a letter to Charles Taze Russell following the debate in which he shares the amount of interest and attention the debate stirred:

“My room in this hotel looks out facing the main entrance to Trinity Auditorium, and each evening I could see the crowds gather. For more than two hours before the debate began the people were standing at the door waiting to get in. Each evening the gates were closed and locked by 7 o'clock, and after that hundreds were turned away. It is estimated that from 10,000 to 15,000 persons were turned away during the four nights, unable to gain entrance.”

Rev.VernonCowsartservedaspastorfromJuly,1916,toAugust,1918.FollowingaperiodofafewmonthswithoutaregularPastor,acallwasissuedinJuly,1919,toRev.ErnestE.Ford,andherestartedaPastorateofeightyears'durationinwhichtheChurchmaybesaidtohavesuccessfullypassedthroughthatdifficulttransitionfromavillagesizedChurchtoadown‐townmetropolitancongregation.

FollowingaperiodofafewmonthswithoutaregularPastor,acallwasissuedinJuly,1919,toRev.ErnestE.Ford,andherestartedaPastorateofeightyears'durationinwhichtheChurchmaybesaidtohavesuccessfullypassedthroughthatdifficulttransitionfromavillagesizedChurchtoadown‐townmetropolitancongregation.

Longbeforeitseemedphysicallypossiblethatthemembershipcouldfinanceabuildingprogramtofittheneeds,PastorFordwasdreaming,talkingandplanningastructurethatwouldmeasureuptotheprogram"toservicethatthecommunityinitsrapidgrowth.Aftermonthsofplanningandworkwitharchitects,withfinancialadvisorsandwithbuildingmaterialcompanies,anExecutiveBuildingCommittee,composedofGeorgeBentley,Chairman;ParkArnold,J.L.Gray,J.M.BankerandP.L.Hatch,andtheFinanceCommittee,consistingofRoyL.Kent,Chairman;HarryW.Chase,J.RayBentley,W.W.McElroy,J.R.DetweileralongwiththePastor,andCharlesCressey,Architect,theentiremembership,participatedinthegroundbreakingceremonyonApril20,1925,andthecornerstonelayinginJuneofthesameyear.

CharlesCresseyturnedthefirstshovelofdirtatagroundbreaking.Thirteenmonthslater,thebuildingwascomplete,atacostof$175,000.Thededicationservicebrokeattendancerecords,“withenthusiasmthatisseldommanifestattheopeningofanedificebuiltfortheworshipofGod,”accordingtoanarticleintheMay3,1926,editionoftheGlendaleEveningNews.Atthemorningandeveningservices,theseatingcapacityofthenewauditoriumandtheoverflowroom[theoldmeetinghall]wasfilledtocapacity.ThechurchwassaidtobeoneofthemostbeautifulinSouthernCalifornia.“Expertsdeclaredthatarchitecturally,thisstructurecouldhardlybesurpassed,”accordingtoanarticleintheMay1,1926,editionoftheGlendaleEveningNews.“Thecrowningfeaturewasthebeautifulauditorium,finishedinlightshadesofgrayandblue‐graywithoakpewsandwoodwork.”ArchitectCresseyalsodesignedthewindows,madeofimportedEnglishcathedralglassbyJudsonStudios.TheSanctuarywasrestoredtoit1926grandeurin2009andisstillrecognizedtodayasoneofthemostbeautifulworshipspacesinLosAngeles.Ithasalsobeencalledan“acousticaljewel”becauseofitscanopyceilingthatallowsforsoundtoraindownonaudiences.

GratitudetoPastorFordandhisleadershipforthishouseofGod.Addingtothecharmandworshipatmosphereisthe1929EstyPipeOrgan,amemorialprovidedbyMrs.A.F.Woodinlovingmemoryofherhusbandandson.

Themostfarreachingandhistoricchangeinleadershipoccurredinthelatesummerof1927,whenRev.J.WhitcombBrougher,Jr.,wasunanimouslycalledaspastor.Hisunequalledtenureaspastorstretchesfrom1927to2003.HistenureofseventysixyearsaspastoristhelongestinonecongregationinAmericanBaptisthistory.Thechurchflourishedandgrewaswellasfacedallkindsofchallenges.Hisstrongleadershipsawmanyyearsofprosperousgrowth,theeradicationofallchurchdebtandthebuildingofaneducationbuildingandgymnasiumwhichhousedtheburgeoningnumbersattending.Underhisguidance,thechurchincreasedtoalltimerecordsinmembers,attendance,missionalsupportandacquisitionsofpropertiestoextendtheministry.PastorBrougher’sfather,Rev.J.WhitcombBrougher,SRcametoservewithhimasanAssociatePastorfrom1935‐1945.PastorBrougherandhisfather(Knownbythecongregationas“DadBrougher”)hadatremendouswitnessthatreachedmanypeopleforChrist.Duringthesedays,thechurchSanctuarywasfilledtocapacity.Twomorningservicesplusaneveningsongservicewithspecialguestsmadethiscongregationoneofthemostexcitingplacestobeinthelate30’sand40’s.TheBroughers’individualandteamministrytouchedmanylivesincludingHollywood’selite.MaryPickford;DouglasFairbanks,JR;WillRogersandWaltDisneyaswellmanyotherlivesintheentertainmentindustryarelinkedtothechurch’sministry.Indeed,livesallacrossthespectrumofsocietyinLosAngeleswererecipientsofthechurch’sministryandoutreach.ThechurchwaspresenttopeoplecaughtinthethroesoftheGreatDepressionandtoreturningveteransfromworldwarsaswellasprovidingministrytothoseimmigratingtoCalifornia.

PastorBroughercommittedtobeingactiveinthecommunityandsoughttoconnecttobusiness,civicandcommunityleadersandassociations.Hebelievedthatassociationwithcommunityserviceclubsandcivicleadersnotonlymadehimarepresentativecitizen,butgavethechurchamoreactiveandvisibleplaceinthecity.HisinsistenceonorthodoxChristianidealsandforcefulpresentationstocrowdedhousesoftheclaimsofChristupontheindividualhasgivenwaswellknown.ThereisalonglistofpersonsconvertedandbaptismsrecordedasaresultofhisinfluenceinsharingChrist.

TheuniquenessofPastorBrougher’sunprecedentedtenureisampletestimonytohisperseveranceanddeterminationasapastoralleader.Indeed,hesurvivedmanypersonalaswellascongregationalchallengesthatwouldhaveendedmostministerialcareers.Hisremarkabletenacityandinfluenceonthechurchissingular.

Asaleader,hedevelopedthepropertytoincludeaneducationbuildingandgymnasiumaswellasleadingthechurchtoacquirepropertiesthatbecamecriticaltohelpingthechurchexpand.

OneofthehallmarksofPastorBrougher’sministrywashissteadfastcommunicationwiththemembership.Headamantlyconnectedthroughthemailwithbirthdayandanniversarycardsaswellasletterscommendingmembersfortheirserviceandremindingthemoftheirbaptismalanniversaryeachyear.

Contendingwithshiftingdemographicsandadecliningmembershipaswellashisownhealthissuesinhislateryears,hecontinuedhispastoralleadership.PastorBrougher’sson,theRev.FrankBroughercametoassisthisfather.This“book‐ending”ofhiscareerwithPastorBrougher’sdadassistinghimfortenyearsnearthebeginningofhiscareerandhissoncomingtoassisthimthelastthirteenyearsofhisministryisanotheruniquecharacteristicofthechurch’sstory.

FollowingPastorBrougher’sdeathat101,Rev.FrankBrougherstayedonas“actingpastor”untilthechurchcalledRev.CharlesUpdikein2007.Rev.UpdikewasinstalledaspastorbyModeratorRodneyBradshawwhileABCofLARegionalRepresentativeDougHubbardandFBCGChairofPastorSearchCommitteeJudiClinewatch.

UnderPastorUpdike’sleadership,thecongregationbeganareturntoitsfoundationalprinciplesofbeingopentothecommunityandsharingthegospelmessagebroadly.Leadingthechurchtorenovateitsdeterioratingfacilitiesanddiligentlyworkingtoestablishoutreachministriesusheredthechurchintoasignificantdowntownwitnessagain.ReachingouttoourneighborhoodthroughallkindsofministriesincludingVacationBibleSchool,Communityinvolvementinmissionalservicehaspowereditsresurgence.PastorUpdikeledthechurchtobringtheABCofLAregionalofficestoourcampusandhasbeeninstrumentalindevelopingarelationshipwiththearts.FBCGisnowthehosthomeofPhilharmonicOrchestraandGlendaleNoonConcerts.ThehallmarkofPastorUpdike’sministryhasbeenagracecenteredcaringforallwhoattend.Hisleadershiphasbeeninstrumentalinhelpingtore‐establishthechurchasathrivingcongregationonceagaingrowingwhilebecomingyoungerandmorediverse.Aftersixyearsofservice,PastorUpdikeretiredfromfulltimepastoralministryatthecloseofthe2013churchyear.

Now…beginningits110thyearofministry…thechurchisreadytowritenewchaptersinthebookofACTSandtoblessanothergeneration!THANKSBETOGOD!

"ThereforeeveryonewhohearsthesewordsofMineandactsonthem,maybecomparedtoawisemanwhobuilthishouseontherock.Andtherainfell,andthefloodscame,andthewindsblewandslammedagainstthathouse;andyetitdidnotfall,forithadbeenfoundedontherock.”Matthew7:24‐25

iTheStandard,ABaptistNewspaper;July27,1907.Vol54,Num38,p.18