October 17, 2024
VILLA RICA, Ga. — Ephesus Baptist Church celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on Sunday, Sept.29. However, the people were so responsive to the way in which the celebration had been planned and the way Pastor Billy Godwin used the worship services to recall the rich history of the church, it has become almost a month-long celebration.
On the last Sunday in September, Mark Marshall, the senior lead strategist for church strengthening at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, visited Ephesus and commended the church for its great faithfulness through the years.
Marshall presented Godwin a plaque to commemorate the occasion and stated, “Ephesus is a testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ going forth through the years regardless of the circumstances that prevailed in our world. Thank you for your faithfulness to thegospel. Thank you for your faithfulness to our Lord Jesus Christ, and pastor, thank you for continuing to lead this church with great faithfulness and dedication.”
Marshall’s presentation was followed by a video of Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s Executive Director W. Thomas Hammond Jr., saluting the church for its sesquicentennial anniversary. Hammond declared, “Your church has faithfully served our Lord and held high the banner of Christ through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, reaching the lost, and discipling the saved."
He continued, "Your church has been known as a church that gives to missions, not just local missions, but throughout Georgia and around the world. You are a faithful church to embrace and partner with others to make a difference and share the Gospel with those who have never heard.”
Hammond concluded his congratulatory remarks by commending Billy Godwin and his wife, Miriam, for more than 30 years of service and the sacrifices they have made to partner with other churches to exalt Christ and win the lost for the cause of God’s eternal Kingdom.
On this memorable Sunday the music of the choir, vocal team and congregation added a celebrative note to the occasion; and the pastor’s daughter, Hayley Echols sang Nichole Nordeman’s song “Legacy,” an appropriate selection for the 150th anniversary of the church.
Godwin announced that Dot Hamrick, age 96 was the oldest member of the church and that Ima L. Waldrop, age 95, has been a member for 82 years which is longer than anyone else currently alive. He then introduced Johnny Camp, a member for 73 years to share his testimony.
Camp expressed his thoughts with effusive thanksgiving for the joy of being part of a church that is “alive and well.” He stated that his great-grandfather became the church clerk in 1880, six years after the church was started and that he was also elected as a deacon two years later in 1882.
Camp commented, “Ephesus is a beautiful church. I am grateful that our church cries out to the sinner that God is our creator and provider; and that He loves us more than we could ever imagine because He gave us His only begotten son to be our Savior."
Godwin cited “look to the rock from which you were hewn” (Isaiah 51:1) as the background for his historical message. He related significant events and prominent personalities that through the years contributed to the health and vibrancy of the church.
The Ephesus pastor explained that the land that the original Ephesus building was constructed on was donated to the fledging church in 1875 by Ezekiel Polk. He was from North Carolina, but moved to Georgia about the time his second cousin James K. Polk moved from the Tarheel state to Nashville, Tennessee. These two men shared the same great-grandfather. Interestingly, James K. Polk became the governor of Tennessee and later became the 11th president of the United States.
His thorough preparation of the material and communication of his research continued that same Sunday night, into the first Sunday in October and is scheduled to continue through the Sunday morning worship service on October 13.
Ephesus had a grand covered dish supper under the church’s pavilion just prior to the evening worship service on Sept. 29 and “the fellowship of kindred minds at Ephesus was like to that above.”
Following the fellowship meal, nearly 400 people assembled in the worship center for the singing of the hymn "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms", music of a trio of women (Dorcas Cowan, Beth Camp and Lori Lewis) and a solo by Nancy Smith. There was a greeting from Jason Loudermilk, the mission strategist for the West Metro Baptist Association.
In the Sunday evening service, Godwin highlighted some of the faithful pastors and many dedicated men and women who served the church during the past one hundred years even showing a video of a sermon preached by Dr. Ira Warren who served as pastor from 1972 to 1989.
Godwin referred to Dr. Warren as his pastor. Dr. Warren was succeeded by Pastor Dan Houston, who was described by Godwin as a great expository preacher and a renaissance man, because of his ability to do many things.
Houston was succeeded by Godwin in 1993, who has served the church for almost 32 years. When Godwin said, “Well, that is enough for tonight, because all we have left is me.” the congregation responded by standing with appreciation and thunderous applause because of their love for their pastor.
The service was concluded by the Ephesus choir and soloist Andy Willoughby singing “The Anchor Holds,” a fitting way to conclude a great day of celebration.
