Pastor Ryan Donoho preached his final sermon as pastor to the congregation of First Baptist Church on Sunday, August 30, 2015. At the end of the worship service the Donoho family was invited to the front of the Sanctuary where the choir surrounded the family as the choir and soloist Jacob Garrett led the congregation in singing “On Eagle’s Wings”. Diaconate Chair, Gordon Coppoc, made brief comments about the bitter-sweet aspects of having young people enter our lives and then having them leave for opportunities that they believed would help them more fully realize their calling. Gordon then invited the members of the Diaconate to come forward and spoke of the encouragement Ryan had provided in helping us continue to be open to non-traditional options for expanding the mission and impact of First Baptist Church. In closing, the entire congregation was invited to come forward for a “laying on of hands” ceremony. Reverend Dwight Herin prayed for God’s blessing on the Donoho family as they prepare for the next phase of their ministry.
Following the worship service, members and friends of First Baptist Church gathered in Fellowship Hall to bid farewell and Godspeed to Pastor Donoho, Krista, and Breann. Pastor Donoho had previously announced his resignation in May of 2015. Pastor Ryan’s farewell comments about his tenure and future plans have been published in the September issue of the Focus Newsletter.