East Moline
Illinois
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Wildwood Baptist Church
A Vision for Winning:
Here at Wildwood, we desire to obey the command of Jesus to share the Gospel with people who do not know Him. We spend time, money, energy, and effort in making Jesus known to children, teenagers, and adults, both in the Quad Cities and around the world. We believe that if we are not growing in our obedience to share Christ with others, we will be groaning in the frustration of having no new life. New converts are the fountain of youth for the church. Without new Christians, we will get stuck in the mire of traditionalism. With new Christians, we will be constantly in awe of the work of God among us.
A Vision for Building:
Here at Wildwood, we invite people to become disciples of our Lord. We want to build them up in their faith, so that they know what it means to truly worship; they are grounded in the Scriptures and can explain them to others; they are in close relationship with others who love and care for them.
This is what the word "building" means. We desire to build up the lives of our people to be like Christ. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth," is how the Apostle John put it.
A Vision for Equipping:
It is one thing to give a man a fish. It is another to teach a man to fish. But it is entirely different to teach a man how to teach others how to fish. "Winning" is giving people the fish. "Building" is teaching people how to fish. "Equipping" is teaching people how to teach people how to fish! We are determined to reach this level of making disciples. We believe that hundreds of people in our body desire to be equipped to win and build others. And it is essential that it happen. If we are to do what Jesus calls us to do in reaching the Quad Cities for Christ, we need all believers to be equipped for the task before us.
History
The early history of Wildwood coincides with the early history of Watertown, both having their origins at the time of the Civil War, long before the city of East Moline was founded. The church was organized in July, 1865 by the Rev. S. P. Warren as the First Baptist Church of Watertown. The name was later changed to Watertown Baptist Church. In 1867, it had 22 recorded members.
The orginal building was located on 19th Street in East Moline. The building was later moved to a site on 20th Street between 2w Avenue and 3rd Avenue where it stood until April 1942.
In 1936 Rev. David Goodwin was called as pastor, serving until 1970. On July 19, 1942 a new building was dedicated at 2015 2w Avenue. Extensive remodeling and additions were completed on this building throughout its history. Rev. Paul Hieber served as pastor from 1970 - 1976. In 1972 the church purchased nearly 15 acres of land on Hubbard Road, in the Hampton Bluff area. During the late 1970, a picnic shelter with restrooms and showers was built on the new property. Rev. Millard Frauman served as pastor fron 1976 - 1977. He was succeeded by Rev. John White, who served from 1977 - 1995.
In June, 1979, the congregation voted to build what is now Wildwood Baptist Church for an approximate cost of $800,000. Construction began in 1980 and in May of 1981 the church moved to its present location on Hubbard Road and changed its name to Wildwood Baptist Church. Rev. R. Scott Boerckel came to serve as senior pastor in September, 1996. Since moving to its present location, a garage was constructed which in 1997 was converted to youth ministry space. An elevator was constructed in 1997, making the facility more accessible for the disabled. In 1998 the lower level was remodeled.
Here at Wildwood, we desire to obey the command of Jesus to share the Gospel with people who do not know Him. We spend time, money, energy, and effort in making Jesus known to children, teenagers, and adults, both in the Quad Cities and around the world. We believe that if we are not growing in our obedience to share Christ with others, we will be groaning in the frustration of having no new life. New converts are the fountain of youth for the church. Without new Christians, we will get stuck in the mire of traditionalism. With new Christians, we will be constantly in awe of the work of God among us.
A Vision for Building:
Here at Wildwood, we invite people to become disciples of our Lord. We want to build them up in their faith, so that they know what it means to truly worship; they are grounded in the Scriptures and can explain them to others; they are in close relationship with others who love and care for them.
This is what the word "building" means. We desire to build up the lives of our people to be like Christ. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth," is how the Apostle John put it.
A Vision for Equipping:
It is one thing to give a man a fish. It is another to teach a man to fish. But it is entirely different to teach a man how to teach others how to fish. "Winning" is giving people the fish. "Building" is teaching people how to fish. "Equipping" is teaching people how to teach people how to fish! We are determined to reach this level of making disciples. We believe that hundreds of people in our body desire to be equipped to win and build others. And it is essential that it happen. If we are to do what Jesus calls us to do in reaching the Quad Cities for Christ, we need all believers to be equipped for the task before us.
History
The early history of Wildwood coincides with the early history of Watertown, both having their origins at the time of the Civil War, long before the city of East Moline was founded. The church was organized in July, 1865 by the Rev. S. P. Warren as the First Baptist Church of Watertown. The name was later changed to Watertown Baptist Church. In 1867, it had 22 recorded members.
The orginal building was located on 19th Street in East Moline. The building was later moved to a site on 20th Street between 2w Avenue and 3rd Avenue where it stood until April 1942.
In 1936 Rev. David Goodwin was called as pastor, serving until 1970. On July 19, 1942 a new building was dedicated at 2015 2w Avenue. Extensive remodeling and additions were completed on this building throughout its history. Rev. Paul Hieber served as pastor from 1970 - 1976. In 1972 the church purchased nearly 15 acres of land on Hubbard Road, in the Hampton Bluff area. During the late 1970, a picnic shelter with restrooms and showers was built on the new property. Rev. Millard Frauman served as pastor fron 1976 - 1977. He was succeeded by Rev. John White, who served from 1977 - 1995.
In June, 1979, the congregation voted to build what is now Wildwood Baptist Church for an approximate cost of $800,000. Construction began in 1980 and in May of 1981 the church moved to its present location on Hubbard Road and changed its name to Wildwood Baptist Church. Rev. R. Scott Boerckel came to serve as senior pastor in September, 1996. Since moving to its present location, a garage was constructed which in 1997 was converted to youth ministry space. An elevator was constructed in 1997, making the facility more accessible for the disabled. In 1998 the lower level was remodeled.