A Baptist church in Alaska older than the state itself is changing its name.
Anchorage Baptist Temple, a well-known and politically influential church for decades, will now be known as Mountain City Church.
Pastor Ron Hoffman announced the change Sunday, saying the name would better reflect the identity of the congregation of approximately 2,500 members.
“Our vision is to transform every Alaska with the salt, light and love of Christ, like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden,” Hoffman said in a video. “We also think the name Mountain City reflects who we have become, not just an Anchorage influencer, but the entire state of Alaska. »
[irp]
In addition to the church’s name change, its school Christian of Anchorage will become Mountain City Christian Academy.
Anchorage Baptist was founded in 1956 by Pastor Don White under the Baptist Bible Church. As the ministry grew under former Pastor Jerry Prevo, it became known as the Anchorage Baptist Temple and expanded into radio and television ministry throughout the state.
Prevo resigned in 2019 after nearly 50 years on the pulpit. He is now president of Liberty University in Virginia. Several high-profile political and religious figures, including former governors Mike Dunleavy and Sarah Palin and evangelist Franklin Graham, attended his farewell sermon.
In announcing the name change, Hoffman — who grew up in Anchorage and served on staff at the Anchorage Baptist Temple — said the church had no plans to leave its legacy behind.
“It’s a history we never want to forget, so no, renaming the church will not erase the legacy,” he said.
One of the problems with the old name, according to Hoffman, was the use of the word “temple”, which Hoffman said is more associated with “false religions” than churches Christians.
“Our current name has unnecessary barriers,” he said. “Today, the word ‘temple’ is associated more with false religions than with true places of worship. The word that once enhanced the vision of our church now hinders it.
To read this entire article, go to Post source
[irp]
The article was written by: Ian M. Giatti of www.christianpost.com
[irp]
[irp]
