We are in search of a pastor. Our Youth Pastor, Dan Lenington, has been filling the pulpit on Sundays and Pastor Wilmore has been preaching on Wednesdays.

A firm believer in Paul's admonition to Timothy "Preach the Word" (I Timothy 4:2).

The first service of Maranatha Bible Church was held on November 19, 1972. Four weeks later the church was officially organized with 34 charter members. The infant congregation met in the old Weight Watchers Building. The first pastor was Gus Bohot who resigned in May 1973.

Dr. Donald Smith was called as Pastor in August 1973. During his tenure, the church purchased the property and erected the auditorium at 2284 Third Avenue. Dr. Smith resigned in August 1977.

Dr. Jerry Hall was called as Pastor in July 1978. He would serve as Pastor for the next 23 years. During these years, the church saw great expansion. The house next door was purchased and is currently used to house visiting missionaries.

In 1981 construction began on a 9000 square foot building for education and fellowship. In 1993 the building was expanded by approximately 1700 square feet.

In 1995 a Preschool ministry was started to aid members and reach out to the community by providing much needed child care.

Following Dr. Hall's resignation in November 2001, Bill Schneider was called as Pastor in February 2002. In recent years a new entrance and foyer area have been added and the interior of the church was completely remodeled.

Today the membership is excited about our future. God is doing great things at Maranatha Baptist Church, and we can't wait to see what He's going to do next.

Worship

The word worship is greatly misused today. Worship is often used in the context of music or singing, but we never find music called worship in the Bible. The word worship in both the old and new Testaments means to bow down, to prostrate one's self on the ground. it is an acknowledgment of who God is as well as a recognition of our own sinfulness and unworthiness to stand before a Holy God.

Our objective is to be a church where God is exalted in such a way that people see God for who He truly is and realize that we could never approach Him except through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Preaching

Paul told Timothy "Preach the Word." Paul also said in I Corinthians 1:17 "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."

The preaching of the Word of God is the most important part of our services. People do not need the opinions of men; they need the Word of God. We believe the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God, and it is preached in ALL of our services and taught in ALL of our Sunday School classes and children's ministries.

Music

Music is not used to worship God, but it is used to praise Him. Colossians 3:16b says "singing with grace in you hearts to the Lord." Music is to be sung TO God not FOR man. We use hymns and songs that point people toward God and His work. Much of the contemporary music of the day is built on worldly passion and style. We seek to honor God through our music, not seek an emotional response.

Evangelization

Jesus said "Go ye into all the world..." It is the responsibility of every Christian to get the Gospel to the world. Our objective is to pray faithfully for lost souls, take the Gospel to our community through various ministries and outreach programs and to take the Gospel to the whole world through our Missions ministry.

Ministry

Our objective in ministry is to be a church that has a heart of compassion for the needs of others not only within our church but within our community as well.

Education/Spiritual Growth

Our objective is to be a church where believers are taught to grow in Christ and to walk with Him to the point where they can pray and read and study the Bible on their own and to grow to the point where they can teach others to do the same.