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"People Search - a Most Important Outreach" to reach those not involved in any church. Sam Wilboum replaced M. L. Hill as Treasurer.
In March 1983, the Church began to look into a program of growth and expansion of its facilities. Four phases of growth were planned: (1) increasing the size of the Educational Building at a cost of $132,000 (2) interior work to increase the size of Fellowship Hall at a cost of $2,000 (3) proposed new dining area at a cost of $4,000, and (4) enclosing the balcony of the Educational Building for $3,000. On March 13, a vote was taken and 80% of the membership favored the building program. At this time it was noted that with 350 enrolled in Sunday School and a church membership involving 100 families that growth of our facilities was needed.
On May 1, Sam Wilboum, Bruce Burrows, Jack Hode and David Ratcliff went on a Bold Mission Project to Rome, Italy, to help with carpentry and painting at Bitania Conference Center. On May 5, the National Day of Prayer was observed in front of the Courthouse on Main St. Our Church joined other churches in Hancock County. The theme was "Righteousness Exalts a Nation" and was painted on a beautiful banner displayed on the front of the Courthouse. During this month, Margaret DeHaan was presented a pin in recognition of sixteen years of perfect attendance in Sunday School. Diane and Mindy Dodson served as Baptist Student Union Summer Missionaries to Arkansas and Arizona respectively. The Pastor was given a choice of living in the parsonage or accepting a monthly housing allowance of $350 dollars. He chose the latter and started making plans toward a house of his own. During May the membership was given "Certificates of Investment" to put in writing the amount they would donate to the Building Fund and also how and when it was to be paid. At the end of June it was announced that $19,595 had been collected for the Building Fund.
In July, the Sound Equalization System was installed by the Sound Communication Inc. of Jackson, Mississippi, at a cost of $5,600. This was hooked to the radio system, and the control room was installed in the small room under the stairs in the front of the Church.
During October, the attention of the Church was brought to a possible mission outreach at Bayside Park. The Association would place a trailer there.
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