First Baptist Church Miller, South dakota

Miller is the county seat of Hand County. the area is farming and ranching. the population of Miller is around 1500. We have a thriving downtown eith a wide selection of stores. East of town a new soybean oil processing plant is in the planning stages. It does look like it will be built.  It will use the latest technology to extract the oil for human foods.

The First Baptist Church has a visible presence on the main street in town. Over the years the Church has gainesd the trust and accepted credibility from the town people. Calvin Jones, pastor of First Baptist is serving in his second term  as President of the Hand County Ministerial Assn. All the locat churches are represented in this group. Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyerian, Assembly of God, Nazarene, and Community Churches. 



The primary summer outreach is Vacation Bible School. The church is now doing their own school without outside help. We had 26 children enrolled in 2007.

During the school year the church hosts Children Skate time. this is on Wednesday. the children skate, roller or inline, the Pastor does a Bible story and then the children are fed hot dogs and cookies. We have around 40 children at each of these skate times. We do Skate time every other Wednesday. 

The youth group meets on wednesdays opposite the childdren skate time. The group meets at the pastors house. Supper is cooked for them, a time of Bible study is lead by Carol Jones, pastors wife. A fun time with different games is after Bible study. Dr. Jennifer Poindexter Runge helps with Carol with the group. There were 15 youth- Junior and Senior High School - on the first meeting this Fall. Last year this group attended two christian musical programs. One was LifeLight in Sioux Falls, SD and the other was in Huron, SD. 

The men of the church have conducted 5th Sunday breakfasts. We usse this time to invite men who do not attend church. We cook and eat with a devotional. 

The church also does an annual Valentine's Dinner which is well attended by the community. 100 people enjoyed the meal and prgram in February' 07. Ron Blachford, the Hand County Highway Superintendent cooks the food for this meal.

The Lord has blessed First Baptist Church. The work here is slow. It takes time for  people to trust and listen. But, the church is here and God willing it will remain here as a light to the darkness.