CAMDEN — The First Southern Baptist Church in Camden (FSB Camden) celebrated its 30th anniversary with Greg Jackson as senior pastor on Sunday, July 9.

Jackson was affirmed in 1993, having previously been ordained at the First Baptist Church in Vandalia. It didn’t take long for Jackson to realize God’s calling for his life was to be a pastor in the small Preble County town. With the average length of service to a single church in America being at just four years, Jackson’s 30-year tenure stands as quite the contrast. He has overseen some of the most pivotal moments in the church’s history, including their large expansion to a new worship center in 1997.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve in this community for so long, a community that has become like family to us,” Jackson said. “Having been here for so long, we’ve seen things come full circle: parents raising their kids in this church, those kids growing up to have weddings I have officiated, and now they’re having families of their own. It’s humbling and wonderful to be a part of these families’ lives for so long.”

Tim Fritzsche, chairman of the deacons at FSB Camden, said that Jackson’s commitment to ministry has been a large factor in what makes the church truly blessed. “We love our pastor, not only because of what the Lord has allowed him to achieve, but most of all because of the heart he has for the Lord. His motto has always been ‘Love God, love others, serve others.’ Brother Greg is so special to us because of the grace he always displays,” Fritzsche said.

County Commissioners Adam Craft (president), Rachael Vonderhaar, and David Haber were also in attendance at the celebration to announce an official proclamation from the Board of County Commissioners honoring Pastor Jackson’s 30-year anniversary with the church.

When asked what the greatest blessing has been from these last 30 years, Jackson gave a swift and resounding answer: “Without question, it’s the many people who have given their lives to Christ and have grown to follow him. That’s what it’s all about.”

Jackson is not finished, however. In a message to the church, Jackson made it clear that he and his wife Renee, who has been by his side all 30 of these years, still have work to do in Camden and for the Kingdom of God: “My prayer is that the years ahead of us will be the best and most fruitful, and we are excited to be a part of that journey.”

Jackson invites everyone to attend weekly worship at FSB Camden. There are two Sunday service options each week: 8:30am and 10:45am, with Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m.