First Emanuel Baptist Church

Let’s Celebrate 126 Years

of  

God’s Faithfulness to our Church!  

 It is my joy to serve as the pastor of First Emanuel Baptist Church during this very special time in our church’s history.  This year, we celebrate the 126th anniversary of the founding of First Emanuel Baptist Church.  This is the year of Reflection, Recommitment and Rejoicing.  It is not our name that should be exalted or praised at this Anniversary Celebration, but rather the name of the LORD.   Though our church is comprised of wonderful, loving, and godly people, we are not strong enough, smart enough, rich enough, or spiritual enough to have sustained a local church for one hundred and twenty-six years.  But thanks be to God that HE is the one who has remained present in the midst of our church for all of these years. He has guided us, sustained us, empowered us, and cared for us as His people. Without the LORD’s preservation, this anniversary celebration would not be possible! I believe that First Emanuel Baptist Church has a rich and blessed past, one for which we should always thank God. However, I also believe that the best years are yet ahead of us! God is not finished with our church. May we look to the wonderful foundation that has been laid during our 126 years of ministry and build on that foundation in the years to come. Until the day that the Lord of our church returns, may we continue to minister and be found faithful! So happy anniversary First Emanuel! And thank you LORD, for your faithfulness to our church! Thank you Lord, for the faithful, godly, loving, and supportive Christians through whom you have worked through the years to make this celebration possible, and may you continue to bless us in our midst until Jesus returns!  

Dr. Charles J. Southall, III, Pastor

"The Church with the Vision and the Faith to Act"
Proverbs 29:18             James 2:18