How it all started...
We are blessed to have a rich and meaningful history in the life of our church. Though our church’s name, Family Bible Fellowship, is new, our story began more than 100 years ago as Ridgeville Baptist Church.
Organized on March 10, 1894, under the leadership of W. H. Dowling, E. W. Peoples, and J. F. Preacher, Ridgeville Baptist Church began holding services in a local school. At that time, the church was given two acres of land for the future site of a church building. Within a year of receiving the property, the building was constructed, and Sunday services transitioned from the school to the new sanctuary. Shortly thereafter, the church building burned. In 1902, the present-day sanctuary was built.
Over the course of the next 115 years, a parsonage, cemetery, and additional land were added. Ridgeville Baptist Church continued to grow and faithfully proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, becoming the mother church of Yemassee Baptist Church in 1939. Though the congregation of Ridgeville Baptist Church dwindled over the years, a few faithful members remained steadfast, continuing to serve and maintain the church’s ministry and facilities.
Beginning in 2010, a group of faithful brothers in Christ began meeting in the Fellowship Hall and in their homes to pray and study the Scriptures. They prayed with the hope that Ridgeville Baptist Church would once again grow into a vibrant and thriving ministry.
In the fall of 2016, this group, along with the current leadership of Ridgeville Baptist Church, met with Pastor Stuart Guthrie, then a graduate student at Dallas Theological Seminary. They discussed the possibility of pursuing a revitalization effort alongside other faithful men who shared the vision of seeing renewal within the church body and throughout the surrounding communities.
The group concluded that Ridgeville Baptist Church needed renewed vision and direction, centered on the core values of family, Bible, and fellowship. On the evening of March 3, 2017, the leadership team presented this mission and vision to the congregation. At that time, the name Ridgeville Baptist Church was unanimously changed to Family Bible Fellowship of Ridgeville, signifying the church’s renewed mission: to know Christ and to make Him known.
Organized on March 10, 1894, under the leadership of W. H. Dowling, E. W. Peoples, and J. F. Preacher, Ridgeville Baptist Church began holding services in a local school. At that time, the church was given two acres of land for the future site of a church building. Within a year of receiving the property, the building was constructed, and Sunday services transitioned from the school to the new sanctuary. Shortly thereafter, the church building burned. In 1902, the present-day sanctuary was built.
Over the course of the next 115 years, a parsonage, cemetery, and additional land were added. Ridgeville Baptist Church continued to grow and faithfully proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, becoming the mother church of Yemassee Baptist Church in 1939. Though the congregation of Ridgeville Baptist Church dwindled over the years, a few faithful members remained steadfast, continuing to serve and maintain the church’s ministry and facilities.
Beginning in 2010, a group of faithful brothers in Christ began meeting in the Fellowship Hall and in their homes to pray and study the Scriptures. They prayed with the hope that Ridgeville Baptist Church would once again grow into a vibrant and thriving ministry.
In the fall of 2016, this group, along with the current leadership of Ridgeville Baptist Church, met with Pastor Stuart Guthrie, then a graduate student at Dallas Theological Seminary. They discussed the possibility of pursuing a revitalization effort alongside other faithful men who shared the vision of seeing renewal within the church body and throughout the surrounding communities.
The group concluded that Ridgeville Baptist Church needed renewed vision and direction, centered on the core values of family, Bible, and fellowship. On the evening of March 3, 2017, the leadership team presented this mission and vision to the congregation. At that time, the name Ridgeville Baptist Church was unanimously changed to Family Bible Fellowship of Ridgeville, signifying the church’s renewed mission: to know Christ and to make Him known.
Expanding the vision...
With a renewed mission and a clear sense of direction, the work of ministry began to take shape. What started as prayerful dependence upon the Lord quickly moved into active obedience, as the church sought not only to gather, but to go.
At Family Bible Fellowship, we understood that a revived church must also be a reaching church. With hearts stirred by the gospel, we began engaging our local community with the joy of Christ, seeking to make Him known not only within the walls of the church, but throughout the surrounding areas.
Through intentional local outreach, members stepped into neighborhoods, homes, and everyday conversations, carrying the message of hope found in Jesus Christ. Whether through personal evangelism, community involvement, or simple acts of service, the aim was clear, to proclaim Christ faithfully and to love people genuinely.
This season marked a shift from preservation to participation, from maintaining what was to mobilizing for what could be. The vision was no longer simply about sustaining a church, but about seeing lives transformed by the power of the gospel.
As the church moved forward, the commitment remained firm, to reach widely, engage deeply, and lead well, all for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.
At Family Bible Fellowship, we understood that a revived church must also be a reaching church. With hearts stirred by the gospel, we began engaging our local community with the joy of Christ, seeking to make Him known not only within the walls of the church, but throughout the surrounding areas.
Through intentional local outreach, members stepped into neighborhoods, homes, and everyday conversations, carrying the message of hope found in Jesus Christ. Whether through personal evangelism, community involvement, or simple acts of service, the aim was clear, to proclaim Christ faithfully and to love people genuinely.
This season marked a shift from preservation to participation, from maintaining what was to mobilizing for what could be. The vision was no longer simply about sustaining a church, but about seeing lives transformed by the power of the gospel.
As the church moved forward, the commitment remained firm, to reach widely, engage deeply, and lead well, all for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.
Where we are headed...
As the Lord has faithfully worked in and through Family Bible Fellowship, the vision has continued to grow. What began as a revitalization has developed into a forward-moving ministry, committed not only to faithfulness, but also to preparation for what lies ahead.
In recent years, many building projects have taken place, each one designed with purpose. Existing structures have been fully remodeled, and new spaces have been added to better equip the church to engage deeply and reach more people for Christ. These developments are not simply about buildings, but about creating environments where the Word of God can be taught clearly, relationships can be strengthened, and lives can be transformed.
Every improvement reflects a greater commitment to stewardship, using what God has provided to expand opportunities for ministry. As the church continues to grow, so does the need for space that supports discipleship, fellowship, and outreach.
Looking ahead, there are plans for future building projects, all held with open hands before the Lord. We move forward not with presumption, but with prayerful dependence, trusting that God will provide, guide, and establish the work according to His will.
Our aim remains unchanged, to know Christ and to make Him known. As we look to the future, we do so with confidence, not in our plans, but in God’s faithfulness to build His church.
In recent years, many building projects have taken place, each one designed with purpose. Existing structures have been fully remodeled, and new spaces have been added to better equip the church to engage deeply and reach more people for Christ. These developments are not simply about buildings, but about creating environments where the Word of God can be taught clearly, relationships can be strengthened, and lives can be transformed.
Every improvement reflects a greater commitment to stewardship, using what God has provided to expand opportunities for ministry. As the church continues to grow, so does the need for space that supports discipleship, fellowship, and outreach.
Looking ahead, there are plans for future building projects, all held with open hands before the Lord. We move forward not with presumption, but with prayerful dependence, trusting that God will provide, guide, and establish the work according to His will.
Our aim remains unchanged, to know Christ and to make Him known. As we look to the future, we do so with confidence, not in our plans, but in God’s faithfulness to build His church.
