We all drive past that little white church on the corner whenever we drive down 7th Street, across from Bismarck High School. Open Door Baptist Church will have its doors open Sunday at 5pm and Monday thru Wednesday at 7pm for a revival meeting. All are invited regardless of denomination.

What is a revival meeting? It’s a shot in the arm for Christians, a time of encouragement and a means to recharge and boost spirits. It’s a time to motivate people to get out and reach others for God. A time to revive the passion and enthusiasm of local Christians.

This event is not a membership recruitment drive. It’s not a fundraiser. It’s a time of inspiration and worship. Two visiting missionaries are preaching this week: Joel Logan from Alabama, who’s a pastor of a church there, and Mike Saunders, who has a ministry in the prisons down in Houston, Texas. This is their first time to North Dakota.

Anyone who needs encouragement or wants to hear more from the Bible is invited to attend. There won’t be a lot of fanfare, just Bible study and preachin’. Not only are visitors welcome, they’re also an encouragement. Visit the little church on the corner and see what that means! Tonight at 5, weeknights at 7.

If you’ve studied Bismarck history, this church probably looks familiar. Here’s a photo of the church from sometime in the early 20th century. The building itself was constructed in 1912 by Trinity Lutheran Church, which formed in 1878. It has since been home to 7th Day Adventists, Mennonite Brethren, and Baptist churches. Open Door Baptist has been here for 25 years and is currently working on putting up a new building at 19th and Calgary, as they’ve outgrown this one. I saw this picture in a book of Bismarck history by Cathy Langemo, and recognized it instantly. The steeple is gone, but the rest of the church is unmistakable.