Ground broken in Fort Morgan for new Baptist church

Former Fort Morgan First Baptist Pastor Del Rand (John La Porte/Fort Morgan Times)

"We know we have a long road ahead, but we've turned a corner," Pastor Cory Knutson said as members of the First Baptist Church broke ground Sunday for a new church building on West Street south of Legion Field.

"What else could I ask for being a 23-year-old preacher?" he added. "Everybody wants to build a building."

The new facility is expected to be constructed by the first of the year, depending on weather.

Former pastors Del Rand and Paul Livingston and ministry coaches Mike Oldham and Bill Mankin also spoke.

"When you build something new, it strikes an interest. It strikes curiosity," Knutson said. "People will come to check it out."

He said he was excited not just to see a new building going up but seeing it

Former Fort Morgan First Baptist Pastor Paul Livingston (John La Porte/Fort Morgan Times)

come into an "unchurched" part of Fort Morgan.

There are no churches in the southwest part of town south of the railroad tracks and west of Main Street.

"Church is about people," Knutson said. "It's always been about people."

Livingston warned against dissention, friction and hurt feelings that could surface during construction.

Oldham warned against focusing too much on facilities and not enough on the work of the church: "This building can become an idol."

Mankin expressed hope that the building would be a tool to bring the word of God.

Rand recalled the past of the church, noting it was here 67 years before he came in 1973.

He recalled a congregation of "kind, caring, generous and committed Christians."

About the new building, he said, "Location makes a difference, and you've got a great one."

Rand also stressed outreach.

Members of the church's board of trustees turned shovelsful of earth, and other members of the congregation were invited to do the same.

-- Contact John La Porte at news@fmtimes.com.

First Baptist Church members listen to Pastor Corey Kuntson during Sunday's groundbreaking. (John La Porte/Fort Morgan Times)

Source: http://www.fortmorgantimes.com/fort-morgan-local-news/ci_23189512/ground-broken-fort-morgan-new-baptist-church?source=rss_viewed

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