The transitional pastor of Starke’s First Baptist Church said the church’s leadership is giving members room to grieve the departure of longtime attendees, after a May 31 vote to dissolve the 149-year-old congregation fell short of 75% as required under its bylaws.
“You look around, there are familiar faces that are not there,” Patrick Martin said. “You grieve that they’re not there with you. But then we also remind the church that we’re here for a purpose, and that is to fulfill the great commission.”
