In November, Fellowship Southern Baptist Church merged with First Baptist Church in Hardy, keeping the First Baptist name and heritage. (Submitted)
The Rocky Bayou Baptist Association (RBBA) is celebrating the dynamic works of God – the mergers of Ozark Bible Church and Immanuel Southern Baptist Church in Salem and Fellowship Southern Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in Hardy.
In October, Ozark Bible Church – which was not affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) – merged with Immanuel Southern Baptist Church creating one new church: Christ Fellowship Baptist Church (CFBC). The new church is continuing in harmony with the Rocky Bayou Baptist Association, Arkansas Baptist State Convention, and the SBC. Christ Fellowship is led by co-pastors Cory Snyder and Luke Humphries. The church is located at 549 South Main in Salem.
The merger was a working out of John 17:21, “That they may all be one… so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
“This process was two local churches understanding that they were not two business entities seeking market share in the community, but rather disciples pursuing the same mission: to be light and salt within Fulton County,” Snyder and Humphries shared in an email. “It was clear that our unity and commonalities in matters of first importance greatly outweighed any differences or preferences and served as the anchor for coming together as Christ Fellowship Baptist Church. The merger did not come without challenges, but the positive outcome is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and the greatness of His grace.”
Christ Fellowship gathers for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 10:45 a.m. On Wednesdays, they have a meal at 6 p.m., followed by Bible Study at 6:30 p.m. For more about Christ Fellowship Baptist Church, visit cfbcsalem.org.
In November, Fellowship Southern Baptist Church merged with First Baptist Church in Hardy, keeping the First Baptist name and heritage.
For the past 22 years, First Baptist Church in Hardy has been faithfully shepherded by Bro. Larry Kindrick, who retired on Nov. 30. In recognition of his decades of dedicated ministry, the congregation honored him with the title of Pastor Emeritus.
With the merger now complete, Bro. Terry Linderman, pastor of Fellowship Southern Baptist Church, will serve as pastor of the united congregation. The newly merged church will continue to meet at the First Baptist Church location, 411 Church Street.
On Sundays, the church has Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., followed by Worship Service at 10:45 a.m. An afternoon Bible Study is held at 1 p.m. Between the morning worship service and afternoon Bible study, everyone is encouraged to bring lunch and enjoy a time of food and fellowship in the church fellowship hall. A Wednesday evening Bible Study is held at 6 p.m.
For more information, contact Linderman at 870- 955-0213 or visit during any service time.
“I appreciate how members of these four congregations put aside their own interests, worked through challenges, and achieved two successful mergers that honor God,” RBBA Associational Missionary Rick Hassell shared. “Now, these two unified churches have committed workers, enough space, and fresh energy to serve their communities and share the message of Jesus.”