Missionary Biography

Fred & Mary Meyers
East Baptist Church
Henrietta, New York

Email: pastorf@localnet.com
Phone: 585-359-9828

(updated as part of the Hearbeat, January 2003)

The History

Having started as a church in the 1840's, East Baptist Church of Henrietta, NY, experienced a wide range of challenges, defeats, and victories. Their tribulations include a fire which gutted their building, a change from one denomination to identifying as a Baptist, a loss of faithful members, and a neglect of the physical structure. When BHM missionaries Fred and Mary Meyers came in 1996, they faced a challenge of such magnitude that it was beyond anything they had seen in 45 years of ministering. For instance, the disrepair of the church was such that there were no suitable rooms for Sunday School, the roof needed extensive repair, and bad wiring was throughout the building. Also, the membership was in the low 20's, legal problems beset the church, and its spirituality was understandably at very low ebb. In all of this, nothing was being done to rectify the situation until the Meyers came as church-rescue missionaries to East Baptist Church.

The Ministry

Now after seven years of ministry, they have seen much accomplished for the Lord's glory. The building has been completely renovated, their attendance averages in the 50's, a greater interest in things of the Lord is seen, and several outreach ministries of the church are going forward. These ministries include Awana for the children, "Pastor for the Day" radio broadcast three days in every month, a teen night on Wednesdays, and a Fisherman's Club for soulwinning.

As with any work for the Lord, the pastor must deal with children from dysfunctional families. Brother Meyers comments that with the promising teen ministry, he sees many coming from broken homes. There have been new converts that must grow in the Lord who also struggle in a difficult home environment. For instance, a young boy recently came to Christ but his family situation often prevents him from coming to church. The lad must call for a ride since his parents will not make an effort to bring him.

As reported in previous Heartbeat profiles, the Fisherman's Club meets once a month to allow its members to invite their lost friends from all walks of life to hear various testimonies of how people got saved. Just recently, a death row inmate, who was later pardoned, gave his story of how Christ came into his life.

The Challenge

With these encouraging times, the church is now again at a crossroads where they must soon call another pastor to take over the work. Also, Brother Meyers realizes that his health is greatly curtailing his activity and that this will no longer permit him to carry the church much further. In January, 2003, a man will be candidating who has a great interest in taking this work onward for the Lord. Of course, there still are difficult challenges confronting this ministry.

What then lies ahead for East Baptist Church? Undoubtedly, there will still be many storms to weather. For instance, layoffs and retirement in the area are causing some solid members of the church to leave. Brother Meyers reports that the church is losing a mature and trusted deacon due to retirement, and his prayer is for an "Aquila and Priscilla" type couple to come and fill that void. Already, colleges in the area have brought one promising prospect of a lady college student who wants to get involved in the church ministry. Being on the south end of Rochester, NY, they are seeing the community hit with closings and downsizing of once steadfast companies. Also, with the increase of dysfunctional families, there is an even greater need for a sound, Bible-believing church to present Christ as the only answer to those family situations. Though BHM can report that the church has been "rescued," we really proclaim that it has been revived to contend once again for the faith, which is our church-planting and church-rescue burden.

For the Meyers, the turn in the road for their future ministry will be to remain active with Baptist Home Missions, as representatives for the mission. They are looking to move to the southeast where they can be nearer family members. In retrospect to the ministry at East Baptist Church, they give thanks to the Lord for all that has been accomplished and for God allowing them to get the ministry back on solid footing and self-supporting once again. Fred is praying that the Lord will open up new avenues where he can help recruit other men to take up the challenge of church planting and church rescue as he has done in the past.

The Prayer

In closing, please remember to pray for Fred and Mary Meyers and for the members of East Baptist Church. Baptist Home Missions commends their faithfulness, and we look forward to their active service for the years ahead.