Liberty Baptist Church celebrates 25 years
Published 2:30 pm Thursday, April 7, 2016
- Dawn Burleigh/The Orange Leader Pastor Jeremy Bradshaw reflects on a baseball in his collection. This one stands out above all the others as a class of pre-teen boys at the church signed it. Bradshaw said it is signed by future hall of famers.
By Dawn Burleigh
Dawn.burleigh@orangeleader.com
BRIDGE CITY — A church that began as a plant-seed, is now celebrating 25 years of serving the Bridge City/Orangefield area.
Liberty Baptist Church, 2717 West Roundbunch Road, began as a church-planting mission from First Baptist Church Bridge City and first began gathering together on December 13, 1987 at the Bridge City Community Center.
In that first year the core group was established and met weekly for worship and Sunday School. Terry L. Wright served as Liberty’s first pastor beginning December 18, 1988. Under his leadership the church purchased its present property, built its first phase of buildings, and was constituted as Liberty Baptist Church on April 7, 1991. Since that time Liberty has been led by three more pastors: Weston B. Nichols (1997-1999), William R. “Bill” Collier (2000-2014), and Jeremy A. Bradshaw, beginning April 2015.
Bradshaw said during the interview process he knew the church was the kind he wanted to attend.
“You can feel the warmth, love of Christ,” Bradshaw said. “The church is a real family, loving. It is an embracing church. It has been a blessing for us.”
Being a pastor is a calling not a job according to Bradshaw.
“I wanted to be part of a church, not just leading the church,” Bradshaw said.
Church members have participated in international mission trips to Mexico, Romania, Africa, Peru, and Guatemala. Mission Teams have also been sent for evangelism, mission support, and church planting to Minnesota, Colorado, Arlington Texas, and San Antonio.
Bradshaw, an avid baseball fan, said his prize ball was signed by as a church class of pre-teen boys.
“Future hall of famers right there,” Bradshaw said.
The church, created to better reach the community, continues to reach out to the community.
In honor of the 25th Anniversary of Liberty Baptist Church of Bridge City, the church will host Family Fun Day 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sat. April 9. The event will include a bounce house, face painting, free food, games, and drawings for gift baskets.
Sunday will bring Special Worship time with testimonies, special music, and preaching. Former Pastors will be a part of this day of celebration. The celebration will conclude with a covered dish fellowship luncheon at Noon Sunday.
Sunday services begin with Bible Study at 9:15 a.m. followed by Brother Terry Wright delivering the sermon at 10:30 a.m.
“The best is yet to come,” Bradshaw said.
