perceived relationships and misunderstandings, or perhaps a bit of each.

it began in April 1992, with the resignation of church custodian Gary Watts, followed shortly by assistant pastor, Rev. Stewert Dockendorff, both citing lack of communication and leadership. Next it was, in sequence, the office secretary, five deacons (including the chair & vice-chair of the Deacon’s Board), the clerk and the chairman of finance. All questioned confidence in the leadership, and the senior pastor eased the situation by also resigning in October. Moderator Les Jackson moved to Halifax in November, but not before he documented issues in a report, expressing appreciation to those who remained faithful. The bottom line was that a few members followed Dr. Wallace Jorden and established a new church on the Sherwood Road, associated with the Southern Baptists. A few other members moved to add to the growing numbers at Cornerstone Baptist, in North River. Despite the serious confrontation, in 1992 the net membership of First Baptist grew to 653, one more than the 1991 figure of 652.

"Mission ’92”, the Billy Graham Crusade, was a tremendous success in August at the Charlottetown Civic Centre. Packed congregations every night were there to hear Dr. John Wesley White and Franklin Graham. First Baptist members were heavily involved as volunteers, choir members and performers. Gloria Atkinson was the crusade organist, Helen MacRae assisted on the piano, and Ted Cornell led the huge interdenominational choir. The Graham Crusade pianist Ted Cornell visited First Baptist on Sunday morning and delighted a full congregation with a sacred piano concert.

The incident of 1992 marked one of very few dips in enthusiasm in the history of the Charlottetown Baptist Church, but Youth Pastor Chris Austin and a few others held the attitude of the congregation together. His new ”Solid Rock Youth” group of High School and Jr. High students was very active. Pastor Austin was the right person in the tense situation and lifted spirits wherever he went in the church. At the annual meeting in January of 1993, all Board reports reflected the sad issues of the year, and all reflected the need to go forward with God’s blessing,

to bigger and better things. A new Pastoral Search Committee was immediately struck, to seek a new

senior pastor. Meanwhile, Rev. Arthur J. Hadley and his wife Edna, in retirement in Mississauga, Ontario, heard God’s call to Charlottetown and entered into an interim ministry at First Baptist. They arrived on the Island in January and assisted the church in shifting back into high gear. Until Pastor Hadley arrived, a number of concerned and helpful pastors made sure the First Baptist pulpit was filled every week; Dr. Murray Armstrong, Rev. Marshall Thompson, Dr. Richard Coffin, Dr. Andrew MacRae, Rev. Frank Locke, Rev. Robert Steeves, Rev. Ross Howard and Rev. Wallace Howlett all responded to assist a very appreciative congregation.

There was a tremendous need for Christian love and fellowship in the Charlottetown church, and Pastor Arthur Hadley provided it. Cornerstone . / , Baptist had a new chapel under construction at Rel/.Anhurfladley

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