Snyder Bible Church
Snyder Bible Church welcomes new pastor
| By Iva Kay Horner - Publisher/Editor | Wednesday, February 7, 2007 8:46 AM MST |
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It was not only the friendly atmosphere that brought Pastor Brad Fredrickson to Morgan County, but also the knowledge that he and his wife, Saundra, could raise their only child, Cathryn, in a safe environment.
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| Pastor Brad Fredrickson with wife Saundra and daughter Cathryn. |
For the past 12 years, the Fredricksons served
the 1,000 member congregation of Aldan Union Church
in Aldan, Pennsylvania, not that far from
Philadelphia.
“We were ready for a slower pace and a safer
environment,” the pastor explained in why they chose
to accept his new position at Snyder Bible Church.
“We wanted a good place to raise Cathryn outside of
the city,” Saundra added.
But those are not the only reasons the couple packed
up and traveled half-way across the country for the
church congregation of approximately 250.
“”When we interviewed here, we were here for only a
few hours,” Pastor Brad commented. “It felt more
like home here in those couple of hours than in the
past 12 years in Philadelphia.”
The couple were notified of the opening at the local
church through the Dallas Theological Seminary as
officials from Snyder Bible Church had contacted the
Texas educational institution. “We were in the
listing program, got the information and sent a
resume to the church,” Pastor Brad explained.
Interviewing with the church on December 8, the
couple were approved by a vote of the congregation
on December 16. Their response to the church was
made December 18 and the move was made January 13,
with the pastor’s first sermon delivered on January
21.
While he has only a couple of Sunday sermons under
his belt, Pastor Fredrickson stated, “What I have
discovered about the church is that it is a very
gifted church. There are a lot of good quality
people there. I’m trying to see where I fit in, what
can I do and where do my strengths fit in. They do
things quality and excellence.”
His future goal for the congregation is “to bring
some vision and direction to the church”.
Now living in Brush, the family also has found the
area to be as accommodating as their first
impressions led them to believe. “We came with the
impressions it could be very friendly and helpful
and we have found the area to be both,” the pastor
commented.
Saundra, who grew up in a small town in Indiana, is
equally as pleased with the relaxed and laid-back
atmosphere of the town and its residents. “I like
being surrounded by fields,” she laughed.
While Pastor Fredrickson looks forward to serving
the congregation of approximately 250 each Sunday
morning, he also is eager to utilize the church’s
new building, currently under construction.
“It is almost finished. The shell is up and interior
work is being done,” he commented, adding the
all-purpose building will house a gymnasium, kitchen
and bathroom facilities on the first floor, with
middle- and high-school classrooms located on the
second floor.
“We have a great Sunday School program for all ages
of the church,” the pastor remarked. Worship
services are described as “leaning toward
contemporary with a couple of hymns.”
Married for almost 26 years, the Fredrickson’s and
their almost nine-year-old daughter, enjoy
activities involving the outdoors, including fly
fishing, cycling, and hiking.
And while Cathryn enjoys ice skating, she and her
mother participate in the art of recurving for bow
and arrow.
The recent move is not the first time the couple
have resided in Colorado, as they lived in Morrison
while attending Colorado Christian Academy, where
both received their Masters of Biblical Counseling
degree in Bible Arts in 1994.
Pastor Brad also studied at Dallas Theological
Seminary, receiving his master’s degree in theology
in 1991.
Saundra graduated from the same institution of
higher learning in 1993 with a master’s degree in
Bible Studies in 1993.
Currently, the pastor is working on a doctorate in
ministerial administration through the Dallas
Seminary Theology, with Saundra looking forward to
obtaining her Ph.D, hopefully within the next year.
Although Saundra is a counselor by career and has
worked with couples, women and teens, she keeps busy
home-schooling the couple’s daughter, who is in the
third grade.
Sunday worship services for the church that recently
observed its 50th anniversary, are at 11 a..m. and 6
p.m., with Sunday School at 10 a.m. Small group
Bible Studies are held during the week in various
homes.