26th Homecoming Anniversary 2020
In August 1993 the mission’s development council of the Southeast Baptist Association approved funds to employ Rev. Ed Gill for 13 weeks to start a church in our area.
In September 1993, a group of pastors met and pledged their support. Several of these churches also gave financial support.
By mid-November 1993 it was obvious there was sufficient interest that a church could be successfully started. First Baptist, St. Simons Island agreed to serve as our Mother Church.
Rev. Ed Gill was called to be our first mission pastor.
The Baldwin Park Recreation Building was rented for the first full day of service which was held on January 16, 1993. There were 42 persons present for the first service.
In that first service, 12.07 acres of land, located in the vicinity of the intersection of Buckswamp and Myers Hill Road, was donated for the church.
It was determined that the land donated to Marshes of Glynn did not have the visibility and accessibility needed to provide a good building site for a church. Land was sought that would be nearer to the population center of the area.
Six acres at the intersection of Highway 82 and Emanuel Church Road was purchased for $35,000.00. The church was built by volunteers. Mrs. Nola Head sold the property to the church.
The first worship service in the church began Jan 16, 1995.
Pastors:
Ed Gill Jan 1994 – Nov 1997
Miles Holcomb Sep 1998 – Mar 1999
Roland Boutwell May 1999 – Aug 2000
Harold Turner Sep 2000 – Mar 2017
Larry Wilbur, Interim Apr 2017 – Feb 2018
Storman Glass Mar 2018 – Sep 2019
James Staubes, Interim Oct 2019 - Present
Longest standing members of the church:
Olan and Wayne Daffron
Judy Strickland
Van and Elizabeth Troxell
The initial vision statement:
Marshes of Glynn Baptist Church will achieve its purpose by becoming a spiritual highway for reaching souls for Christ.
The Purpose Statement hasn’t changed:
Marshes of Glynn is a united body of believers in Christ, offering hope, teaching the truth, reaching the world and setting an example as we glorify our Lord.
Significant leaders:
Past Leaders: Tommy and Lavonia Clark
Barbara Miller
Harold and Ruby Turner
Lottie Clark
Present Leaders: Daniel and Danielle Atkins
Steve and Sonia Robuck
Dell and Sammie Jackson
Judy Strickland
Bill and Margaret Mann
Bob and Karen Anderson
Deacons: Daniel Atkins
Bill Mann
Highlights and Successes:
Pastor Gill agreed to climb on the roof if attendance reached a certain number (that number is unknown) but it was reached, and he climbed on the roof!
Fellowship hall was added and named: Family Life Center
Pavilion was added
Educational wing added
Parking lot was enlarged
Tent revival in September 1994 – Rev. Stacey Dyer
Outreach to the Community
Vacation Bible School
Resurrection Baskets
Evacuation assistance in the Okefenoke wildfire in 2017
Hurricane shelter for neighbors during the hurricanes
Food, Coat, Sock drives for Sparrow’s Nest and homeless shelters