The History of GBC
Galilee Baptist Church began in 1975 when a small group of families banded together as friends. With sadness and conviction, many had left an existing church following a change of doctrinal principle, one that they, in love, could not support or agree to. Ever since that formative experience, Galilee has been committed to "holding fast the faithful Word" of God, for we must obey Him.
In those early months, this group of friends became family. They sought God's will as they needed and nurtured each other, and soon they knew God's hand was guiding them. If you are wondering what it was like, the first meeting was held in the home of one of those families. About 60 people attended, almost 2/3 of them children!
Not long after that first "official" meeting, they called Rev. Ron Pinkham to become their first pastor. After crowding homes for several months, they began scheduling worship services in rented halls. For the next few years, they spent time each Sunday morning setting up chairs, rolling out the piano, and at times cleaning up the leftovers of Saturday night parties. Then they would put it all back at the end of the service (except the mess). They continued to meet in homes for a prayer meeting each Wednesday night.
In 1980, the church purchased 12 acres of land, started a building fund, and eventually built their first building. About that time Rev. Pinkham moved on, and they soon called their second pastor, Rev. Richard Hopkins.
Under the ministry of Pastor Hopkins, the church continued to grow steadily in both quantity and depth. In 1983 a modular was attached to the back of the building to provide needed Sunday School classroom space.After 45 years of pastoral ministry, Pastor Hopkins retired in October of 1990. Galilee called a third pastor, David Christensen. At the time, Pastor Dave was a member of Galilee and served as a Professor and Academic Dean at New England Bible College, presently located in South Portland.
The former parsonage was renovated in 1992 and now houses a youth center downstairs and staff offices upstairs.
In the spring of 1994, the membership voted to start a building program. On Sunday, October 20, 1996, there was a celebration and groundbreaking ceremony praising God for His work past, present, and future. Construction began in November, and continued through the winter. On Easter Sunday, March 30, 1997, we had our first service in that new sanctuary! What an emotional and monumental experience as we praised God for all that He had provided.
Within that new space the church has continued to grow. We gather for worship each Sunday morning, and in small groups during the week. Prayer groups and Bible studies provide ongoing opportunity for fellowship, friendship, and the challenge to live worthy of God's call. We disperse to homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools throughout the greater Portland area as ambassadors of grace.
We believe the best is yet to come, so long as we continue to humble ourselves and ask God for His will to be done with our lives and with Galilee Baptist Church. We exist to glorify God- may He be pleased with us!