JBC began as a church with 22 people meeting in a small room in the Conser Hall in Jefferson, Oregon on October 7th, 1973. Patty and I helped start the church and were part of that first meeting while I was attending Western Baptist College, now called Corbin in Salem. I graduated from College in 1975 and became the Pastor on October 3rd, 1976 at the age of 28. I have now been Pastoring JBC for 44 years. The church, it’s ministries, the people in it, and it’s facilities have been the passion of my life these past 44 years. I haven’t yet, but one of these days I will run out of passion. I am thinking I can contribute at least a little bit for the next 10 to 20 years. I am thinking the way things are going that Jesus will be back before then anyway. All churches have their problems, but for the most part JBC is a very healthy church. We are characterized by people who forgive one another, pray for one another, support one another, encourage one another, and who are patient with one another. We are the “I love you church; we love God, each other, our neighbors, and the whole world, because God first loved us.”

I have written down a lot of information about the church over the years; events, growth, struggles, about people, ministries, and I periodically go back and read the things I have written, especially in the month of October. I am always amazed at what God has done and I am often overwhelmed with a great sense of being the most blessed man on the planet earth, it truly has been an amazing journey.

One of the major blessings has been the very strong partnership Patty and I have had from day one as we worked and served together, and also as we included our kids in the ministry of the church.

October is a good month. I was born in October, JBC was born in October, I became the Pastor of JBC in October, hunting season is in October, salmon fishing is hot in October, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Jesus comes back in October.