Church Spotlight - FBC Farwell

 

With only a small population, the town of Farwell could easily be described as rural community, but First Baptist Church of Farwell is a “rural church without a rural mindset,” says pastor, Russ Ponder. They are continually looking for new ways to reach their community and support and encourage each other. 

 

Ponder hasn’t been on the job long, as he started the senior pastorate position in July. Things were off and running as soon as he started and fortunately he and his family already knew some things about the church and community that helped them to jump right in. Interestingly enough, Ponder was the youth minister in Farwell from 2002 to 2005. He was in youth ministry for 11 years before starting his first pastorate in Farwell. Because he has already lived in Farwell, there were some relationships established and knowing the church and community has been a major benefit to starting ministry immediately. 

 

Russ and his wife Kim have been married for 21 years and have 2 boys.  Kim works as a secretary at a dental office in Farwell. Their oldest son, Branson, is 19 and going to Cisco Jr. College, while their youngest, Pearce, is a senior in high school. Their family spends a lot from time traveling from game to game as Pearce is a big basketball player. That is how Ponder got into photography. While watching his sons play basketball, he decided that he wanted to capture that action and now you will often see him at the games with camera in hand. Ponder also likes to play golf, but admits that he is much better at taking photos then he is at golf. His son Pearce will graduate this year, and Ponder says that traveling to watch him play basketball will be sorely missed.

 

For such a rural community, FBC Farwell has a lot of young families and small children. The church’s focus has quickly become children, youth, and missions. This past September they started an Awana's program which has gone phenomenally well with lots of kids attending. They are also starting a new outreach program soon and two new Sunday school classes. It is easy to see that the church is very community mission minded as they gave out over 60 Thanksgiving boxes and delivered 150 Christmas gifts in the community. 

 

When talking to Ponder, you realize he is very thankful for his staff. Mike Woods serves as a bi-vocational youth pastor, and David Pollard serves as the secretary who often assumes more of the role of an Associate Pastor. The church body is continually hungry for truth, excited about growth, and very open to try new things. Ponder has moved quickly into his new role and feels very free to bring in new ideas. Their focus will continue to be on the community and their children and youth.  As the new year has set in, FBC Farwell has exciting things ahead of them.  To learn more about this church or to contact the staff, please visit www.fbcfarwell.org.