Church History and Leadership
Pastor Robert F. Hargrove
Assistant Pastor Jerry A. Christian
Pastor Robert Hargrove and the late Mrs. Harriett Hargrove have led Faith Baptist Church since the church’s inception in 1980. They have eight children and eight grandchildren. Pastor Hargrove has a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian theology, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, PA. First and foremost, Pastor Hargrove seeks to lift up the name of The Lord Jesus Christ for Christ's glory.
Assistant Pastor Jerry Christian and his wife, Roberta Christian, have been a part of Faith Baptist Church since the church's founding in 1980. They are both proud parents of three daughters. Assistant Pastor Christian faithfully served as a deacon and teacher for the church for many years before being called to pastoral ministry. After finishing his theological studies, Assistant Pastor Christian was ordained in 2017.
Faith Baptist Church (FBC) of Allentown, PA started as a weekly Sundy night Bible study in the fall of 1979. The Bible study group, consisting of several people and nine children, met at the home of Robert and Harriett Hargrove. The regular attendees were part of the Bus Ministry initiative between Faith Baptist Church of Sellersville, PA and Allentown, PA. Local residents of Allentown also occasionally attended the Bible study and regularly expressed to the group a desire for a church to be established in the area that could act as a public place to meet and fellowship. In October of 1980, the Bible study group successfully voted to ratify the formation of Faith Baptist Church of Allentown, PA, and named Robert Hargrove as its pastor. The church incorporated that same month in the Hargrove family's prior residence at 1122 S. 8th Street in Allentown.
On May 27th, 1981, in the providence of God, after months of searching for a permanent location to call home, Pastor Robert and Harriett Hargrove were able to finalize the purchase of a church building, complete with parsonage, at 220 N. 12th Street in Allentown, PA. The first worship service was held on Sunday, June, 7th, 1981 and weekly services have continued ever since. God began sending people to FBC and it was decided the Bus Ministry would shift from Sellersville to Allentown. Faith Baptist Church of Sellersville, PA supported the Hargrove family for the next four years with FBC finally becoming financially independent in 1986.
Faith Baptist Church of Allentown, PA has grown significantly over the years, has suffered a church split, and has rebounded by God's grace. Although total membership has declined from its peak, God's hand on this ministry can be seen. Membership is increasing slowly but steadily, and finances are stable despite demographics in the area changing from long established local families to new residents relocating from out of town. FBC has a multi-racial congregation, assists a local Spanish pastor in establishing his own ministry, supports one mission, and two mission organizations on a monthly basis.
In February of 2024, the Lord called Sister Harriett Hargrove into his blessed presence. Although greatly missed by Pastor Hargrove, her family, and members of Faith Baptist Church, the church continues faithfully into the future with a great expectation that God will yet do wonderous things for his people.
Our History
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