First Baptist Church
of Hamilton, New York

Founded in 1796, First Baptist is an American Baptist church with an ecumenical congregation. First is the "Mother Church" of Colgate University.

Missions Board

2009 Report of the Missions Board
Dan Saulsgiver

One of the best signs of a healthy God-focused functioning church is the work of the Church concerning missions.  Your mission board is extremely thankful for the fact that our congregation has again exhibited its heart for missions.

We write in the aftermath of the terrible tragedy in Haiti knowing that this coming Sunday we will be asking for us to continue this tradition by requesting an additional offering to be sent to Haiti through One Great Hour of sharing.  Thank God we are who we are and can do this and do so with such a happy heart!!

The board has been very active throughout the year.  Here are the highlights:

FBC continued their mission in Madison spearheading the food distribution program.  FBC along with civic groups from Hamilton and Madison has been able to provide a monthly food distribution for nearly 50 families.  We were able to supply over 40 turkeys to families both over Thanksgiving and Christmas.  With the help of many members of the Madison Church this has been an amazingly successful program.  Thank you!

FBC has been able to help Wendy Simcoe in her quest in seminary.  Thank you.

FBC has supported the following missionaries either as a church or through donations from individual members.

• Ray and Adalia Schellinger
• Rick and Mercy Barnes
• Katherine Niles
• Betsy Perkins
• Amy Pennenga

FBC welcomed a number of missionaries to come and speak, and we are thankful for the warm welcome they all received.  Rick Barnes stayed with the Cazers and Betsy Perkins with the Saulsgivers.  We hope to continue support of their efforts in the coming year.  The Schellinger’s may be able to be with us this coming year as well.

FBC had an awesome week with Ezamo Murry and representatives from the Eastern Theological Seminary in India.  These meetings reminded us of our historical ties to this region.  Thank you to John Carter for organizing such a fine visit and huge kudos to the congregation for again responding so well.  Missions are looking to expand our help for their work in India.

Collette Gotham stepped up to the plate to replace the irreplaceable Wendy in taking over the chairing of the CROP Walk…another very successful year.  Thank you, Collette.

FBC helped in sending 5 kids to camp this past summer.  The camp kick-off dinner was great.

Things to be prayerful about this coming year:  we slid a bit in our Statewide and National offerings.  (Understandably so in light of the current financial times.)  All of these organizations took a big hit as well, let’s be faithful about helping.

One of the goals we set as a church 5 years ago was to gradually increase our mission support budget back to the 20% level of the past.  Maybe we can and maybe we can't, but we all know we won’t with out prayerfully asking God to help us do so.  We have a wonderful heart for missions.  We do and do and do.  Let's keep up God’s good work.

Lovingly thankfully and prayerfully submitted by your Mission Board.

First Baptist Church
27 Broad Street
PO Box 73
Hamilton, New York 13346
315-824-2780