Ferguson—Ferguson Baptist Church dedicated its Legacy Building on May 17.The building was dedicated to two members, Z.M. Ford and Thomas Boone, for their dedication and hard work “behind the scenes,” said Jason Moore, pastor of Ferguson Baptist for the last 10 years.

The church, founded in 1908, honored Z.M. Ford, a deceased charter member, and Thomas Boone, a faithful active member for the past 90 years.

“When I think of Tom Boone and his contributions to Ferguson Baptist Church over many decades, I have such fond memories,” Shirley Gifford, 40 year member of Ferguson Baptist, said. Gifford recounted, “Tom has been such a wonderful example of what a leader in the church should be. I remember Tom serving in practically every position in Ferguson Baptist Church from deacon, trustee, Sunday school teacher, Bible study course leader, treasurer, choir director… to name a few.”

“Tom is certainly a legacy to me and my family, along with his wife, Marjorie, for their contributions to Ferguson Baptist Church and to Ferguson as a community. I am confident that Ferguson Baptist Church would not be the church it is today if we dared to remove the contributions of Tom Boone and his wife, Marjorie,” she said. Boone, who has been a part of Ferguson Baptist since he was 5, was adamant that Ford also be honored for all of his hard work and dedication to the church, Moore mentioned.

“But the key to this legacy building is not to just recognize those two, because there’s been a whole lot of people who have been in the church that have done so many things,” Moore continued. “And that’s why it’s called the Legacy Building.”

“So many people have worked so hard in the church and outside the church to see this building built so the legacy of what we are trying to do at Ferguson Baptist Church can continue.

“We are trying to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s the legacy,” Moore said.

Moore presented Boone with a cast of the plaque that will be put on the completed Legacy Building. Each member present signed the mold for Boone. Construction on the building began January 2014 and will be completed next year. The project will be debt-free, with funding from yard sales, auctions, lunches, a Legacy 5K and a “leaving a legacy” theme for the church’s homecoming. The building will solve many practical issues for the church such as providing a fellowship hall that is handicap accessible so the entire church can fellowship together.

“God gets all the glory for everything that has happened. It’s not something we did. It’s not something just Tom did or Z. M. did. They were used; they were the instruments. But ultimately it’s God,” Moore concluded. (WR)