Don,
I cannot imagine what you have gone through with the loss of your dear partner and wife. Linda's and my prayers have been with you and we are continually thankful for the ministry you and Bonnie had together to your children, friends and church. We know you continue that ministry on. May God richly bless you and give you tremendous comfort and strength until He returns. Blessings!

Pastor Don,
I would like to pass along my condolences on the loss of your wife. I happened to be in the area Sunday, January 24 and visited your church. Louie (never gave his last name) kindly introduced himself and explained about the tone of the service to come. Pastor Ric, obviously a very close friend, preached a marvelous sermon. The special music, whether planned or spontaneous, was masterful! Being the drummer in my church worship band, I was truly impressed. But, I was impressed with your congregation, the service, and the "feeling" of the service. May God bless you, your family and your congregation. If I find myself there on a Sunday again, I will visit.
God bless,
Jim Nuckolls
Trinity Baptist Church
Katy, TX

Dear Don,
We found this way to communicate our condolences on your huge loss. May you find strength in Him as Bonnie has gone to her new home, without pain.
Lord bless you and the children.
Don & Sherry
retired GEM / Austria

My heart broke with the news of Bonnie's departure. Yet I know she is in the presence of our wonderful Savior, and we can take great comfort in that fact. She's finished her race, and now is enjoying unbelievable peace. My continued prayers are with you, Pastor Don, and your family.

Don & Bonnie, Our thoughts cannot help going back to college days of singing with you in The King's Men--what an era that was!! And then Molly watched you both as counselors at The Wilds--meeting and falling in love. That same God-given love and commitment you hold dear to this day. We are praying for you, dear ones, that God would be glorified, and only His Good will be accomplished in your lives during these difficult days.

My thoughts and prayers are with Pastor and Mrs. Zimmerman during this time. I just heard the news. Take care my friends from 33 years ago that summer at the Wilds.

What a wonderful site for everyone to see! I attended FBCS from 2nd-6th grade in the early 80's. Also went to church and many youth group trip. Ruth Davies, Wayne Pickering, John Smith, Rob Peterson..to name a few who guided me, even when I did not want to be. They are the ones who I will always remember along with the many friends I made during those years. Look me up on facebook, many of us are reconnecting again. God is Good, All the time!

The legged race at Awana was the best!!

Hello everyone-I grew up at First Baptist and have wonderful memories of AWANA, youth group, & summer camp. God bless you Don & Bonnie-we're praying for you, Heather

After speaking with Bonnie, my devtional readings included Mark 1:40 "if thou will, thou can make me clean". My son Jonathan said he remembers "Miss Bonnie" one of his baby sitters.

sending prayers & love to Bonnie & family during this stressful time..
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALL & GRANT HIS HEALING TO YOU, BONNIE...LOVE, JAN...

My family and I moved to Connecticut back in August of 2007. I feel compelled to let you know what a blessing FBC is and was to us. We have faithfully tried to find a new church home here in Connecticut and have so far been unsuccessful, but are hopeful that God has a place for us. It has been difficult to find a church that fills us and gives us the encouragement we need. Every Sunday at FBC we would leave feeling renewed, revived and touched as it was always evident that God is at work all the time, not only in our lives but so many others.

i went to first baptist church from 1948 until 1980.the pastor was rev.sinclair. i now live in mountain home arkansas since 1980.i am 90 years old this year and still going stong.so glad to learn of your website.say hello to everyone.
god bless
lucy christy

I went to FBC Christian School from 3rd grade thru 8th in the '80's. I've seen some names ont his website that I haven't even thought of in years. I still remember many of the teachers: Ms. Squeo, Mrs. Yule, Mrs. Heinegger (how old is that baby now?!), just to name a few.
Congrats to the church on a long life and to the school as well.

What is the possibility of setting up an "alums" page for the school, with a board or guestbook for former students to get in touch with other classmates? Just a thought.

God bless!
-- Jon

looking for info on christopher yaun. cant find anything on your website.

Greetings to all it has been way to long. I grew up in the Church when Pastor Don was the Youth Pastor and I also was one of the First Graduating class from the School when it was just starting. I spent 10 years in the Army and have moved around a lot have started going back to church here in Missouri and it has brought back the great times that I had growing up in the church there and miss it very much. Pastor Don was a great influnce in My life as was Pastor Sinclair.and Brother John Smith
I hope the Youth program still grows. "Youth Alive" has never left Me and I hope to here from dear old Friends

I came to know the Lord at FBC in 1963. John Ankerberg was a high school student and preacher when he led me to the Lord at a youth meeting in the Fireside Room of the old church.

My husband and I were married at FBC in 1972. Pastor Sinclair was like a proud grandpa when he performed the ceremony. We loved him and Fran dearly.

I found the website quite by accident this morning and have been revelling in fond memories of nine years of activities, preaching and learning.

God bless (and keep up His work for at least another 150 years)

I like your Website. Congratulations on your 150th Anniversary! I'm very happy my daughter, Heather found FBC in the fall of 2000. Her life would be very different without FBC. Thank you for all you have done for us & Thank you for all your prayers.

sidsmelzer@gmail.com

Hi all. Just stumbled upon this page. So many memories growing up in FBCDG, especially during my coming-of-age years under the ministry of Greg and Sue McClain when they did the youth group. And, of course, being the pastor's kid during my dad's tenure there was a growing experience in mostly good ways. Blessings to all. ps: I can be found at myspace.com/danphilgreen

I suspect not many will remember me, but I will never forget the First Baptist Church of Downers Grove. It was back in 1975 when I came to Jesus Christ as my savior under Pastor Irv Philgreen and Pastor Sinclair's ministries. I have many fond memories of the times and the great people I got to know while at FBCDG. My good friend, Pastor David Bauer of Bible Related Ministries, tells me the church is still a testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN

I was a member of FBCDG in the 60's to the mid 70's. I have very fond memories of my time in the youth group there and the time I spent at Pine Trail Camp in Saugatuck, Michigan.

I wanted to remind you all that you have a great student ministries pastor! He found my Bible at the Passion conference in Atlanta, GA- I accidentally left it in the arena. He went searching for me online to make sure I got it back! Thanks, Rob!

My boyfriend Ed Pondell used to go to your church and tells me all the time of it's wonderful people and his good times with the Singing Men of Oakbrook. What a beautiful CHurch you have I love your website. Blessings and Merry Christmas!

I attended First Baptist from preschool through 8th grade (1974-1984). What awsome memories I have.

My principal was Mr. Goetz and then Patti Skriba. A few of the teachers that had such an amazing impact on me were Miss Lathrop, Miss Nowak and Mrs. Heineger. I was in the same class as Beth Ann Knoblock, Sean Collins, Danielle Schaffer, David Ludena, Mike Messinger, Beth Maier, Tony Little, Ken Townsend, Kim Arnold, Todd Vanderwater, Jason Lupo, Laura Joy, Jenny Zimmerman, Ingrid Arnquist, Janet Martinez, Scotty Michaels, Andrea Anderson, Billy Espinos and Jason Anderson. There were more but the names fail me at the moment.

Don Zimmerman was our youth pastor. I accepted the Lord after hearing a message by Pastor Philgreen (at least that's what I believe his name was).

There is no way in words that I can adequately express the gratitude I feel toward First Baptist. The Christ-like love the staff showed to me as a child coming from a broken home will stay with me forever. The Lord was so good to have allowed me to grow up in that atmosphere. If anyone from my class reads this I would love to hear from you. My e-mail is dliska_4@yahoo.com.

May God richly bless you all as you strive to serve Him.