About the Knoxes
Scott and Judy Knox came to FBC Keller three years ago as Scott began to study at Southwestern Baptist Seminary. He answered God’s call to ministry out of a successful sales career in the pharmaceutical industry. Since they have been at our church, they have been very active in their young adult Sunday school department and have been faithful in church visitation and the Kids’ Beach Club ministry. Judy works as a computer programmer. Scott finished seminary in 2006.
About Baker City, Oregon
Originally an old gold mining town, Baker City is experiencing a rebirth as Oregonians leave the rain and crowds of the west for the sunny mountains and flowing rivers of the east.
The people are passionate about keeping their community a community. You’ll find lots of local or regional businesses with roots in the Northwest. Quality of life is more important than convenience and economies of scale.
Baker County, Oregon is located on Interstate 84 in northeastern Oregon, approximately a two-hour drive northwest of Boise, Idaho. Baker City is the county seat. This scenic little town sits in a valley surrounded by the Blue Mountains.
Baker City is the hub for many smaller towns throughout Baker County. As a whole, the population is approximately 15,000 and growing.
Why Baker City?
Though Baker City has been around for a long time, there are no Southern Baptist churches in the city today. According to the federal government, less than 10% of the population report they are evangelical Christians. The need for a consistent gospel witness there is great!
Thus far, other partners in this church plant include: Craig & Sharon Binder, who recently relocated their family to Baker City for the express purpose of helping to plant a new church there. They will be core group leaders. Haywood Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Madras, Oregon, Strategic Mission Partners, and the High Desert Baptist Association of eastern Oregon have also pledged their support. The name for the church plant will be Blue Mountain Baptist Church.
For more information and updates on this project, please visit: www.bmtbc.com.
How is FBC Keller Involved?
Our church is a major partner in this church plant in several ways. First, our personnel committee has created a new staff position of “church planter,” and we will Scott a full-time salary for a year as he gets the work started. Second, we will be providing financial support for some church start-up expenses. Third, we will be sending mission teams to help directly with projects on the church field beginning with our first trip from September 24-30.
