History of Forestbrook Baptist Church
The vision for Forestbrook Baptist Church began in the early 1970s when God placed upon the hearts of several leaders of First Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach a burden to start a mission work in the Forestbrook area. In October of 1978 six acres of land was purchased on the corner of Forestbrook Road and McCormick Road to build the new church. In February of 1982 the land was cleared and volunteers from Myrtle Beach, North and South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky began construction of a 150 seat sanctuary. On November 14, 1982 the first service was held with 48 in Sunday School and 103 in the Worship service. Rev. Harvey Johnson, Director of Missions for the Waccamaw Baptist Association, served as interim pastor until the Mission called Rev. Kenneth Moore as full time pastor in July 1983. On November 11, 1984 Forestbrook Mission officially became Forestbrook Baptist Church. Rev. Moore served until 1988 during which time FBC added an educational wing and paved the parking lot.
Rev. Dalphon Thompson served as interim pastor from September 1989 until May 1990. In June of 1990 Rev. Wayne Revisky was called as full time pastor and served until June 1995. During his ministry the church added a new fellowship hall, additional Sunday School classrooms and purchased a church van.
From July 1995 until October 22, 1995 Rev. Bill Bagnal served as interim pastor. The church then called Rev. Jim Shriver as pastor. Under Pastor Jim’s leadership the church added Rev. Agustin Diaz-Rivera to the full-time staff as Associate/Youth Pastor, increased the seating capacity of the sanctuary, added a stained glass window in the narthex, additional Sunday School classrooms, a choir room, sound room, church office, and updated the lighting system. It soon became necessary to hold two worship services to accommodate the overflow crowd on Sunday mornings.
In May 1999 Forestbrook Baptist launched “Vision 2000”, a planning and capital fund-raising program to build a new 500 seat sanctuary. In June 2000 ground was broken and our first service in the new sanctuary was held on October 11, 2001. In July 2004 the church called Rev. Dale Clark as full-time Minister of Music and Children.
Because of God’s abundant blessings and the generosity of His people “Vision 2007: Building for the Future” was launched in September, 2006. On November 11, 2006, we burned the mortgage to our sanctuary and broke ground for a new Family Life Center. One year later, on November 11, 2007, the new Family Life Center was dedicated to God as part of our “Homecoming Day” celebration. God is trully faithful! Future plans include expansion of the fellowship hall.
In February 2008 Mr. Thomas Phelps joined our staff as Minister of Youth and Family Life. FBC continues to grow as souls are saved and new members join our church family on a regular basis. We thank God for all that He has done, is doing, and is going to do here at Forestbrook Baptist Church. To Him we give all the glory, honor, and praise!