First Article in 90 Days of Praise Series

Today we begin a rich journey together as we recall and celebrate the early history of our ministry as Stones River Baptist Church.   In 1990, Reverend Dwayne Amburn, the first Pastor of this church, came to share with us in Homecoming.   On that Saturday afternoon we met in the old fellowship hall to view pictures of the early years and to hear first hand how God established this ministry.   One of the comments I remember Brother Amburn making is that "the Devil never wanted Stones River Baptist to exist."   Then he went on to say how they met together in 1952 with members of Smyrna First Baptist Church and representatives of the Concord Baptist Association to discuss the urgent need for a new work to minister to the families of our military stationed at Sewart Air Force Base.   Then he said,  "and the leadership of the Holy Spirit was so real that night that there was no mistaking the hand of God in bringing this wonderful family of God into existence."   But the part that blessed my heart most was when Brother Amburn told about the way Satan sought to disrupt the plans for this new work.

The original location of this fellowship of believers was to be in the Wherry housing area but the city of Smyrna would not grant a construction permit for that area.   Thus, Brother Amburn and the associational missionary began riding around the immediate area, praying as they went, asking God to point to them a site where this church would be of greatest accessability to the military and of greatest benefit to God and the community for years to come.   As they rode down what is now Sam Ridley Parkway, Brother Amburn said as he looked to the left side of his car, he saw a mound of dirt and on that mound the sun was directing a single shaft of sunlight that had broken through a completely overcast sky.    Brother Dwayne said it was as if the finger of God was pointing us to this very location.

To make a long story short, the present location of this dear, precious church is sitting atop the very spot God pointed out to our first pator back in 1952.   Dear people, we are not here on this corner by accident or by chance.   We are here today, in this location, by divine appointment.   May I say to you God has always had and will, until the coming of Jesus, a mighty plan in ministry for Stones River Baptist Church.   I just hope that you and I understand how privileged and blessed we are to have a small part in the mighty ministry of this dear, precious bride of Christ.   Join me in celebrating and rejoicing as we celebrate the next 90 days of Praise for the wonderful, marvelous history of what God began, what God has done, and what God has promised to do through the ministry of the Stones River Baptist Church.
~ Brother Ross ~