East Princteon Baptist Church

Published online on Friday, Oct. 02, 2009

East Princteon Baptist Church just south of Fresno Yosemite International Airport is a small congregation with about two-dozen Sunday regulars.

But they're not small in faith.

On a recent Sunday, they kept the church's pastor, the Rev. Carol Bjorgum, busy as she fielded all their prayer requests.

For Lisa's tooth pain.

For Robin's pregnancy.

For Sandra's attempt to quit smoking.

"We're really an old-fashioned church," Bjorgum says.

The church was founded in 1954 at Chestnut and Princeton avenues, where a horse stable was remodeled into the sanctuary. Sunday, the congregation of mainly seniors will gather at a special service to celebrate the church's 55th anniversary.

Uppermost on people's minds is church growth.

"We're trying to grow, but it's hard attracting people," said a church board member, Sid Simental.

On the recent day, some of the 19 people in attendance had whole rows to themselves. Still, there was a sense of closeness.

"For a church this size, it really cares about people," Randy Burgess said. "I love this little church."

Bjorgum's sermon, "Hope Thou in God," seemed to capture everyone's purpose in coming to church, including the pastor's.

"God gives you a love for your people," Bjorgum said. "That's why I keep coming back."

Here are other notes from the visit:

What's the first thing you notice? It's a 2-foot-by-3-foot oil painting of Jesus in the foyer.

What's everyone talking about? It's the music. Nancy Simental, a soprano, and Mary Comer, the church's piano player, are a good combination.

Who's the behind-the-scenes hero? He's Randy De Mars, who leaves his home across town at 6:45 a.m., catches a bus and is on time for the church's Sunday school class at 9:30.

Does this congregation reach out to the community? Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon groups use the church's facilities to hold meetings.