198th Anniversary Sunday | Not a Detour

On a very special Sunday, First Baptist Moncton gathered to celebrate 198 years of God's faithfulness. Through worship in multiple languages, testimonies, music, communion, and fellowship, we reflected on God's work throughout our history and looked ahead with hope to the future He is preparing for us.

In his anniversary message, Not a Detour, Pastor Richard Jackson challenged us to see our church through the lens of Revelation 7:9-10:

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

Drawing from this powerful vision, Pastor Richard reminded us that the evolution of First Baptist Moncton into a diverse and intercultural congregation is not accidental. It is not a temporary phase, nor a departure from our identity. Rather, it is part of God's eternal purpose.

As he concluded:

“The church we are today is not a detour. It's the destination that God has always intended.”

God's Mission Has Always Been Global

Pastor Richard emphasized that God's heart for all nations is woven throughout Scripture.

From God's call to Abraham, to the Psalms and the prophets, and ultimately through Jesus' Great Commission, the vision of people from every nation worshipping together has always been central to God's plan.

As he stated:

“God's mission has always been global. It's not something new. It's not something that He's trying out on an experimental basis. It's always been part of God's purposes.”

The diverse congregation we see today is therefore not a modern innovation but a reflection of God's eternal mission.

Diversity Is a Fruit of the Gospel

One of the central themes of the message was the relationship between unity and diversity.

Pastor Richard challenged the common assumption that unity requires everyone to look, speak, or worship in exactly the same way.

Instead, he reminded us:

“Diversity is not a threat to our unity. It's a fruit of the gospel.”

The foundation of Christian unity is not shared culture, nationality, or personal preferences. It is our shared relationship with Jesus Christ.

“What unites us is not shared culture but shared salvation; shared life in Jesus Christ.”

Our differences are not obstacles to overcome but gifts that enrich the body of Christ and reflect the beauty of God's kingdom.

A Living Sermon to the World

In a world often marked by division and conflict, Pastor Richard described the local church as a powerful witness to the reconciling work of God.

When people from different backgrounds worship, serve, and grow together in love, they demonstrate the transforming power of the gospel.

As he explained:

“When a local congregation lives as a reconciled, multicultural community, it bears witness to the power of the gospel. In a divided world, the church becomes a living sermon.”

This vision is especially meaningful for First Baptist Moncton as our congregation continues to welcome people from many nations, cultures, and languages.

More Than an Anniversary

While anniversaries naturally invite us to reflect on the past, Pastor Richard encouraged us not to become trapped by nostalgia.

The faithfulness of previous generations should inspire us, but our calling is to continue following where God is leading today.

“Our calling is to remember the past, to give thanks for the past, to celebrate the past, but it's not to preserve the past, to live in the past. Our call is to pursue obedience, costly obedience, not to cling to nostalgia, but to follow the Spirit.”

In this sense, our 198th anniversary was not simply a celebration of history—it was a commissioning for the future.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate nearly two centuries of ministry, we thank God for every person who has helped shape the story of First Baptist Moncton.

We also celebrate the diverse, vibrant, and growing church family that God is building today.

The vision of Revelation 7 is not only a picture of heaven—it is a glimpse of what God is already doing among us.

May we continue to be a church united in Christ, rich in diversity, rooted in love, and faithful to God's mission for generations to come.