Fanning Springs Community Church was launched and began meeting for corporate worship on April 13, 1997 in the Suwannee River Fair and Livestock Pavilion. Prior to that, David, Kathy Jones and their three children at the time were called here from North Carolina to serve the area as a joint venture of the SBC North American Mission Board, the Florida Baptist Convention, and the Harmony Baptist Association in the summer of 1996. Bethel Baptist Church of Trenton, Florida and First Baptist of Trenton, Florida partnered together with Harmony Baptist Association to sponsor the new work in Fanning Springs, Florida.
The community was surveyed and local outreach ministries were launched. By summer’s end, Judy Dillon (Our Lydia based on Acts 16) had agreed to open up her home for a Bible study. A weekly Bible study was sustained in Judy’s home from the end of the summer of 1996 until January 1997 by Bob and Dawn Weber (members at that time of Bethel Baptist Church). Pastor David returned to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary to complete his masters of divinity degree in December 1996. After graduation from seminary, the Jones family returned to continue the work in Fanning Springs and launched the first service in April 1997 along with a small but faithful core group.
After 3 years of meeting in the Livestock arena, the Lord miraculously provided our small congregation with the means to build our current facility. Providentially it was built debt-free through volunteer labor from all over the southeast and through faithful/sacrificial giving through His people. David and Kathy now have 5 children and 23 years later remains the pastor of FSCC.
Its been an incredible ride through the years to witness the mighty and powerful hand of God even in the midst of sometimes challenging and difficult circumstances. However, we can testify of God’s faithfulness through it all! Our church is currently an active member of the Lafayette Baptist Association, the Florida Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention. We whole-heartedly support the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
