First Baptist of Evans is officially merging with First Baptist of Augusta.
Both churches have completed their votes on the merger, with First Baptist of Augusta unanimously voting for the merger, said Will Dyer, pastor at First Baptist of Augusta. Philip Hedgecoth, pastor at First Baptist of Evans, said the vote at the Evans church was 94% in favor of the merger.
“It was an exciting evening for our church, the enthusiasm was palpable in the room,” Dyer said. “A unanimous vote, which in churches doesn’t happen as often as you might think it would. It was a wonderful night for us. I know the folks at Evans are excited about what’s ahead, but also at some level grieving the closure of their campus.”
The documents were signed on Thursday, May 25 and filed with the Secretary of State’s office, Dyer said. Once the paperwork is received, the merger becomes official. But that doesn’t mean that First Baptist of Evans is shutting its doors right away. Hedgecoth said the plans are for members to stay at First Baptist of Evans through the end of July.
As for why First Baptist of Evan wanted to merger with First Baptist of Augusta, Hedgecoth said that about six or seven years ago, the church started realizing it wasn’t going to have enough people to continue effectively doing ministry at that location.
“Our congregation was aging, so we began to look for other partners of the churches to merge with, other options of ways we could function and grow and be effective,” Hedgecoth said. “We have always had a closeness with First Baptist of Augusta, our theology, our ways of doing ministry. So, we ended up partnering with them and pursing this merger. We felt that leaving our legacy in this community and in this world, they were more like us and that to leave our legacy in someone else’s hands, they were the ideal candidate to do that.”
As for what will happen with the First Baptist of Evans location and building, Dyer said that is still being discussed, but it mostly likely will be sold.
“This is where, for me, and this is the exciting part, we get to dream about what comes next,” Dyer said. “But the one thing we are committed to that regardless of what happens with the property, our church will have an extended and expanded ministry presence in…Evans and the CSRA. Our church is committed to making Evans a place where first Baptist augusta is thriving and where the church is growing regardless of denomination.”
Hedgecoth added that money that would come from the sale could be used to create two endowments. One would be for ministry in the Evans community and the other would be for ministry in Augusta and elsewhere, however the church feels like using it.
“We’re all pretty excited about the opportunities that may come out of both endowments,” Hedgecoth said. “Of course our folks from here in Evans will have the opportunity to participate in some of that mission and ministry like we have all along by partnering with Frist Baptist of Augusta.”
Before its closing, Hedgecoth said there will be a celebration at First Baptist of Evans, but those details were still being determined.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
