About us

Pastor Richard & his family came to WMBC in December 2018.

Pastor Richard Woodruff grew up in a Christian home in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country of Lebanon, PA. He recieved Jesus Christ as his personal Savior on May 27, 1978. Richard answered the Lord’s call to go into fulltime ministry in 1998 while serving at Faith Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA. In his own words, “While I got saved early in life, I was never discipled. Having gotten under sound biblical preaching and discipleship and having gotten involved in serving, I grew like never before. The more I served, the more I loved serving.”

Richard holds degrees from Maranatha Baptist Seminary and Maranatha Baptist University, and he is a 2004 graduate of Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary. Beginning in 2005, he has served as a pastor in PA and IL.

He met Colleen while attending Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary. Colleen grew up in a Christain home and recieved Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at age 5. They have been married for over 20 years. They have three girls. Richard and his family enjoy serving the Lord in the work of the ministry, spending time together as a family, traveling, the beach, Chinese food, and making friends. Their daily prayer is to love God and others more.

We invite you to join us and see what makes West Milford Baptist Church a special place. Our mission & philosophy of ministry is really quite simple. It is our desire to be a loving church while faithfully following our Lord Jesus Christ. We seek to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and we seek to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). This means modeling Jesus Christ in all that we do “unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13).

The New Testament church has three scriptural purposes:

1. We must glorify God (I Cor. 6:20; 10:31 and Col. 3:17).

2. We must be equipping the saints for the work of the ministry which includes mending broken hearts at times (Eph. 4:11-13).

3. We must disciple the lost (Matt. 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16).

Simply put, we must be reaching up, in and out to the glory of God. While there are many ways in which we seek to bring glory to God,

we aim to be God-focused and Christ-centered as in moving toward the goal of God’s glory through the use of opportunities to reflect Christ.

With this in mind, it our desire to help people of all ages grow in a real relationship with Christ and with one another. Come grow with us!

(Pastor Richard Woodruff)

A Place to call Home

Children

The future of our world rests in the hands of our children, and it is our job to properly prepare them for the challenges ahead. One of our church’s most important goals is to build a genration of kids that sees its potential in Christ. That is why we offer age-approprate activites and relevant learning experiences taken directly from God’s Word. Our church is fun for kids, and that is why they can call it home.

Teens

Teens are often the most misunderstood segment of our culture. For many teens, their hope for the future is all but gone, and they are just worried about making it through another day. At our church, we understand their need for belonging and growth. We are committed to being living examples of the hope that is found in Jesus Christ, and we are eager to share that hope with every teenager that passes through our doors.

Singles

The day in which we live presents a unique set of problems and pressures for those without a spouse. Our church understands that being single is a time of life that can be satisfying, but it can also be very lonely. As a church family, we are commited to serving singles in our community. We want our church to be a place where you and your friends can feel right at home.

Family

We realize that a well-rounded church takes shape through well-rounded families. Our church offers a place where single-parent families and young married couples can feel welcomed and appreciated. A place where Mom and Dad can bring their children and be assured that the utmost care is taken for their moral, physical, and spiritual welfare. A place you can confidently call home.

Seniors

We value the years of experience and godly wisdom that each senior in our church offers. At our church, seniors are esteemed and appreciated. They are a living example of the joy and fulfillment that commitement to Christ can bring. Seniors at our church are still growing strong in their Christian life. Their age has not slowed their spiritual walk. In fact, it has only increased it!

Friends

We know how important it is to have friends you can count on. Friends with whom you can share your biggest dreams and your greatest fears. At our church you’ll discover authentic friendships within our community of committed believers. Friend for life. Friends who bring out the best in you and those you love.

What about your eternal home?

Man’s Problem…Sin — Man chose to sin against God rather than serve Him. No good works will make him acceptable in God’s sight. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 & Ephesians 2:8-9

Sin’s Penalty…Death — separation from God forever. “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23 & Revelation 20:15

Christ’s Payment…He was our Sinless Substitute. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Our Pardon…Turn and Trust. We must personally receive Christ as Lord and Savior. We must repent of our sins and put our trust in Him alone. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 & Acts 3:19

God’s Promise…Eternal Life. “…He that hearth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

Our History

On April 6, 1832 members of Center Branch Church living on the waters of Lost Creek, petitioned to organize a new church nearer to their homes. Petition was granted and on May 12, 1832 the Union Baptist Branch was organized.

Rev. A. C. Holden was the first moderator and in 1833 became the first pastor of the new church which was then given the name Elam.

In 1843, the members voted to move to West Milford, and in May 1845 they met in their new building on Main Street in May 1845.

The name of the church was changed to West Milford Baptist Church in 1849.

A new building was erected in 1903-04.

Prior to 1961, all Pastors had served the church part time, preaching here only two Sundays a month. In September 1961, Howard S. Barnes was called as a full-time pastor and a house was rented for a parsonage.

In 1967, Evan Hugus donated land to the church on the Highland Dam Road and excavating began for a new building.

A house trailer was purchased in 1968 to be used as a home for the Pastor.

Ties with conventions and associations were severed over seventy three years ago and the church remains independent and fundamental.

For an interesting history of West Milford, click on the link below. http://www.wvculture.org/history/communities/westmilford001.html