First Baptist Church builds new stage, moves instruments

First Baptist Church Atmore is undergoing some physical changes in preparation for spiritual changes.

A new stage is in the making at FBC and Thursday night many men gathered to move the church's organ and piano out of the choir loft. The final renovations should be complete within a couple of weeks, pastor Arnold Hendrix said.

According to Hendrix, FBC Atmore was built in 1970. But instead of being built for functionality, the church was built for beauty. The stage and pulpit area of the church was only seven feet deep. And the choir loft was of adequate size with the exception of the organ and piano taking up space.

The goal of the new project is to make the interior of the church more efficient while not taking away from the beauty.

"Our goal is to provide great functionality while at the same time not detracting from, but actually enhancing the beauty of the building," Hendrix said. "We used an interior designer who is retired from the SBC Sunday School Board (now Lifeway). We told him what we wanted to do as far as the future worship ministry of the church. Then he designed our new pulpit area around those functions."

The renovations at FBC involve a larger stage that will aide theme preaching with visual aids, musical productions, drama and concerts, Hendrix said.

Also by moving the piano and organ out of the choir loft, the church now has additional room for more musical instruments during worship.

Another perk of the new stage area are the 14-inch steps that can double as choir risers. This also can assist during weddings by allowing plenty of standing room for bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Hendrix said with all the changes, the church will be "missional" in its approach to evangelism.

"That means doing what missionaries do," he said. "We learn the culture of our community and then find ways to communicate the powerful, life-changing gospel message in that culture. We've already added a projection system that helps in communicating the gospel and in our music. The pulpit area renovation will give us the capability to use other methods that effectively communicate the gospel."

FBC's new look was designed by Gene Carter of Auburn and was built by Good Works, LLC.

First Baptist Church Atmore is located at 310 S. Main St. For more information about the church, call 368-2181.