Pastor's Page

First Baptist Church of Clear Lake Calls a New Pastor

After a long search and much prayer the First Baptist church of Clear Lake has called a new pastor. Pastor Lane Hoover started his new ministry on January 1, along with his wife, Kathy, and son, Cody. The congregation at First Baptist and the Hoover family are excited about God's obvious hand in this search process. It wasn't your normal pastoral search situation. As a matter of fact it was rather out of the ordinary. While the people of First Baptist were searching during the last 18 months, Pastor Hoover was actually living and serving the Christian and Missionary Alliance church in Watertown. Both parties were unaware of each other and what God was going to do. On a whim, in February of 2006, the Hoover's purchased a “fixer upper” home in Clear Lake, a place to get away to and work on days off. However, a few months after purchasing their house in Clear Lake, the Hoover's ministry in Watertown suddenly and unexpectedly came to an end. The plan to remodel and enjoy small town life in their spare time suddenly became a full time situation.

The Hoovers began attending the Baptist church shortly after moving to Clear Lake in August. Pastor Hoover and his family were not looking for a new ministry, just a church family of believers with whom to unite for worship and service. After a couple of months Pastor Lane sensed the Lord leading him to apply for the pastoral position. He was formally called by the congregation in December. God's hand was in the whole process. The congregation of First Baptist is eager to see what God has in store next!

Prior to receiving his call to ministry, Pastor Hoover was a co-owner of Snow Shoe Pulpwood and Logging. In 1989 the business was sold, the moving van packed and the Hoover family left central Pennsylvania to pursue formal ministry training at St. Paul Bible College, now Crown College, located just west of the Twin Cities. Pastor Lane earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in pastoral ministry and Biblical studies. After being licensed by the Christian and Missionary Alliance, in 1994 the Hoovers took their first church in Dora Lake, MN, a small rural town in far northern Minnesota. The Hoovers then served at the Christian and Missionary Alliance church in Cloquet, Minnesota, and then began ministry in Watertown in 1999.

Lane and Kathy have four children. Kerri is the only daughter. She lives in Lincoln, NE and works as an ER nurse. Britt is the eldest son. He is married to Amanda and they have two children, Jeremiah and Elisha, all living in Watertown.. The Hoover's third child is Tyson. He lives in Brookings and is working his way through college (hopefully). The youngest family member is Cody, who lives at home and attends school here in Clear Lake.

What is the plan for the future? That's a good question. The congregation of First Baptist has a vision to spread the Goodnews of Jesus Christ in our community and the outlying area. Together, the Hoovers and the congregation plan on serving our community and desire to help people understand God's love in a way that leads to salvation and a personal relationship with God. If you are new to Clear Lake or don't have a church to call home, why not visit First Baptist Church. Maybe you will catch the vision of what God can do. God desires to be a part of our everyday lives. In today's world we all need all the help we can get.

First Baptist Church is a member of the Baptist General Conference, a group of like-minded churches desiring to fulfill the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." More about the Baptist General Conference can be found at www.bgcworld.org .

WHERE WE'VE BEEN AND WHERE WE'RE GOING 

First Baptist church has been serving Clear Lake and the surrounding towns for over 120 years! There have been days of prosperity and days of struggle along the way. But God never once stopped proving his love and his faithfulness to his people. He continues to this day!

We live in an ever-changing world, and for various reasons, our church has recently been faced with a life and death decision: Do we close our church doors or do we rally on our knees, trusting the Lord for the future? Well the decision was made to TRUST THE LORD.

First Baptist Church of Clear Lake is now considered by the Baptist General Conference to be a “re-start” church. What does this mean? It means we are a “new church with a 120 year head start”. We are looking to the future while building upon the great foundation that has already been laid. We want FBC to be a place where people will feel welcome, loved and valued. We desire to be a place of hope, encouragement and truth. Most of all we desire to be a place that honors God, pointing people to the forgiveness and salvation found only through faith in Jesus Christ.

I have the awesome privilege to be the pastor at this exciting time in the history of FBC. God is at work in our midst. He is amazing! Perhaps you are a part of the plan! I believe that the Lord will send people, like you, to come and catch the vision for what a church can be. Together, we will see amazing things done in the days ahead!

You are always welcome here!

May God direct your path and bless you today,

In His Service – Pastor Lane Hoover