How it all started...
In the first week of August 1959, the Baptist churches of the Southern Baptist Convention prepared for a revival in Iron County. During prayer meetings in Annapolis, Lonnie Harrison felt called to start a mission in the area, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Mrs. Faye Butler made the first donation, and soon after, Harrison found a space to rent, the vacant Roy Mann barbershop. The first service was held on August 9, 1959, with humble beginnings, including donated chairs and a borrowed piano. The mission quickly gained support, with Brother Arvist Gillam preaching the first sermon, and by September, the mission was officially organized with leadership roles filled and plans for future growth.
By March 13, 1960, the mission had grown into a full-fledged church. With 105 attendees from various local churches, the Annapolis Southern Baptist Mission was officially constituted. The church was organized in an old garage building near the Post Office, with Brother Gillam called as pastor. The church received its first financial gift and started making plans for its future, including the establishment of a Cooperative Program and its first Bible School. The first revival and Bible school held in 1960 saw 12 salvations and strong community support. The church continued to grow, and by August of that year, the first deacons were ordained.
In 1973, Annapolis First Baptist Church stepped into a new season as plans were made to build a new church home. Under the leadership of Brother Boyd Huett, whose carpentry skills and servant’s heart shaped every part of the project, the congregation joined together to build the facility themselves. It was a summer filled with fellowship, shared meals, and the unforgettable generosity of women who kept everyone fed and encouraged.
On December 23, 1973, the first service was held in the new building. That night, lives were changed as several came to faith in Christ and nine were baptized. One week later, the church printed its first bulletin, a small but meaningful sign of a growing, organized ministry.
Over the decades, our church has expanded both spiritually and physically. We’ve remodeled and improved our facilities several times, added new ministry spaces, and continued strengthening our worship, teaching, children, and youth programs. In 2015, we launched the Panther Pack Program to provide weekend food bags for children in need, a ministry that now averages more than 60 packs each week. We have also continued to invest in missions, technology upgrades, and outreach opportunities to better serve our community.
Bible Drill has become a significant part of our church life, with many students advancing to state competitions and several qualifying for Nationals, including multiple State Winners and a National Second-Place finisher. VBS remains one of our largest outreach events, often welcoming over 100 children each summer and celebrating many decisions for Christ.
Our church family has also prioritized caring for our community, hosting the annual Car Show, ministering regularly at Valley Springs Youth Ranch, and providing disaster relief support when tornadoes struck our region in 2023-2025. In recent years, we have expanded our media ministry, improved livestream capabilities, upgraded classrooms and gathering spaces, and purchased additional property for future growth. Even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we adapted with drive-in services and online streaming, continuing to reach and minister to our community.
In 2024 and 2025, we embraced churchwide evangelism challenges, surpassing our goals as we reached thousands of people with the Gospel. In November 2025, after faithfully serving nearly 13 years, Pastor Dan and Ginger Pitchers followed God’s call to serve another church. We are now prayerfully seeking the pastor God has prepared to lead us into the next chapter.
From our humble beginning in a rented barbershop to the vibrant, mission-minded congregation we are today, Annapolis First Baptist Church exists for one purpose, to glorify God by reaching people, making disciples, and serving our community in Jesus’ name.
By March 13, 1960, the mission had grown into a full-fledged church. With 105 attendees from various local churches, the Annapolis Southern Baptist Mission was officially constituted. The church was organized in an old garage building near the Post Office, with Brother Gillam called as pastor. The church received its first financial gift and started making plans for its future, including the establishment of a Cooperative Program and its first Bible School. The first revival and Bible school held in 1960 saw 12 salvations and strong community support. The church continued to grow, and by August of that year, the first deacons were ordained.
In 1973, Annapolis First Baptist Church stepped into a new season as plans were made to build a new church home. Under the leadership of Brother Boyd Huett, whose carpentry skills and servant’s heart shaped every part of the project, the congregation joined together to build the facility themselves. It was a summer filled with fellowship, shared meals, and the unforgettable generosity of women who kept everyone fed and encouraged.
On December 23, 1973, the first service was held in the new building. That night, lives were changed as several came to faith in Christ and nine were baptized. One week later, the church printed its first bulletin, a small but meaningful sign of a growing, organized ministry.
Over the decades, our church has expanded both spiritually and physically. We’ve remodeled and improved our facilities several times, added new ministry spaces, and continued strengthening our worship, teaching, children, and youth programs. In 2015, we launched the Panther Pack Program to provide weekend food bags for children in need, a ministry that now averages more than 60 packs each week. We have also continued to invest in missions, technology upgrades, and outreach opportunities to better serve our community.
Bible Drill has become a significant part of our church life, with many students advancing to state competitions and several qualifying for Nationals, including multiple State Winners and a National Second-Place finisher. VBS remains one of our largest outreach events, often welcoming over 100 children each summer and celebrating many decisions for Christ.
Our church family has also prioritized caring for our community, hosting the annual Car Show, ministering regularly at Valley Springs Youth Ranch, and providing disaster relief support when tornadoes struck our region in 2023-2025. In recent years, we have expanded our media ministry, improved livestream capabilities, upgraded classrooms and gathering spaces, and purchased additional property for future growth. Even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we adapted with drive-in services and online streaming, continuing to reach and minister to our community.
In 2024 and 2025, we embraced churchwide evangelism challenges, surpassing our goals as we reached thousands of people with the Gospel. In November 2025, after faithfully serving nearly 13 years, Pastor Dan and Ginger Pitchers followed God’s call to serve another church. We are now prayerfully seeking the pastor God has prepared to lead us into the next chapter.
From our humble beginning in a rented barbershop to the vibrant, mission-minded congregation we are today, Annapolis First Baptist Church exists for one purpose, to glorify God by reaching people, making disciples, and serving our community in Jesus’ name.
Expanding the vision...
The vision of Annapolis First Baptist Church is to build a community of believers who deeply know God and passionately make Him known. We strive to witness lives transformed by the power of the gospel, as people come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and share His love with others.
To Know God and to Make God Known
Where we are headed...
The mission of Annapolis First Baptist Church remains the mission Jesus gave His followers: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This mission shapes every part of our life together, as a congregation, as a community, and as followers of Christ.
In November 2025, after faithfully serving nearly 13 years, Pastor Dan and Ginger Pitchers answered God’s call to serve another congregation. Their faithful leadership left a lasting impact on our church family, and we are deeply grateful for their years of guidance, encouragement, and service.
We are now prayerfully seeking the pastor God has prepared to lead us into the next chapter. Our church is committed to nurturing spiritual growth, serving our local community, and sharing the hope of Christ both near and far. We invite a shepherd with a heart for discipleship, missions, and building lasting relationships to join us as we continue to follow God’s calling together.
In November 2025, after faithfully serving nearly 13 years, Pastor Dan and Ginger Pitchers answered God’s call to serve another congregation. Their faithful leadership left a lasting impact on our church family, and we are deeply grateful for their years of guidance, encouragement, and service.
We are now prayerfully seeking the pastor God has prepared to lead us into the next chapter. Our church is committed to nurturing spiritual growth, serving our local community, and sharing the hope of Christ both near and far. We invite a shepherd with a heart for discipleship, missions, and building lasting relationships to join us as we continue to follow God’s calling together.
