The history of the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, is a story of struggle — the struggle for power, means, and man's acceptance versus the struggle for New Testament church independence, Biblical obedience, and Great Commission fulfillment. Every pastor of the church has attempted to balance this struggle while keeping the peace. Every pastor of the church has attempted to help every member of the congregation reach his full spiritual potential by using every person's unique talents and abilities. Every pastor of the church has used these talents and abilities to start ministries that further reached the needs of their "Jerusalem, Samaria, and uttermost parts of the world." Every pastor has attempted to "fight the good fight" at the "Old Church Downtown."