Faith Baptist Church opens for worship in former Yuma Jaycees building

Now in its new location, Pastor Eric Tharp issues an invitation to everyone to attend Faith Baptist Church, one "Church the Way It Should Be!"

The independent Baptist church held its first worship service last Sunday at 1798 Arizona Ave., the former Yuma Jaycees building.

"It was a wonderful day! We had 286 worshipers filling the new pews. It was thrilling," the pastor said.

"In this past March, after we bought the building and got all needed permits, we totally gutted the inside, cleaned it inside and out. It has been a lot of hard work, and expensive, but we are happy to be here. It's a good area that has seen problems over the past years, but the neighbors have welcomed us," the pastor said.

"On Sunday at 10:30 a.m., we are hosting a Veterans Day Appreciation, inviting all veterans — on active duty or retired. All veterans organizations, the American Legions, Veterans of Foreign Wars and others are welcome to attend. Lunch will be provided for the veterans and their families. We do ask they call 343-1418 to register the number of persons attending, or e-mail fbcyuma@gmail.com."

Faith Baptist was was started in Yuma in April of 1994, with members meeting in homes, progressing to rental of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2345 S. 1st Ave., from June to December of that year. John Leonard was pastor from June 1994 to January 2004. Luke Andrews served as pastor from July 2004 to January 2006.

Meetings were held in homes and parks for three months in 1995, in Medical Plaza buildings on West 25 Street, and Julieanna's.

In October 1995, Faith Baptist rented the site of the former KJOK-FM and KVOY radio stations at 699 S. Avenue B. The property, including apartments, was purchased in October 2000.

Pastor Tharp said, "I had been in Yuma in June, preaching a three-day conference on prayer. The congregation asked if I would be interested in becoming the pastor. After consideration, my family and I arrived here in July 2007. We had a warm welcome from the earlier visit, but it was 100 degrees, so our welcome was really warm.

"Starting in December services were held in outdoor tents, as we had outgrown the buildings. Now we're in our newly renovated building, where the pulpit was custom-made and placed on a wooden floor. When I preach, I stamp my feet and pound my fist to express determination to teach the Bible as written.

"We have a choir to sing the old hymns, and a pianist, Marley Thornton, who plays music for services, the way it used to be," the pastor said.

Russell Evans is the choir director. The church secretary is Janis Dea.

The public is invited to service on Sunday: Sunday school at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

On Tuesday: Bible study and a prayer meeting, 7 p.m.

Nursery is provided for all services.

For transportation, call the office, 343-1418.