"Where there is no vision the people perish …" - Proverbs 29:18

New phenomena began to occur in the latter part of the 1980's. People from different ethnic backgrounds and religions began to join the Black Baptist Churches, including First Baptist. There was an unwritten plea of the nation to rescue our people from the depths of sin, poverty, despair, hopelessness and imbue them with a sense of self-worth and a desire for a better life. The Black Baptist Churches were heeding this call. A new church culture was developing which required a pastor who could effectively harness the energy of the church membership and develop in them a strong sense of community.

By 1990 the little church which began in a gas station with 20 members in a sparsely developed community had grown considerably. The immense growth of the African American community in Somerset is reflected on the membership rolls of First Baptist. The new pastor of First Baptist had to have love and dedication to God's people in his heart, and the stamina and enthusiasm to work effectively with them.

The Membership's charge to the Search Committee was to search for a pastor with the following characteristics: ability to preach, teach, relate to all ages, excellent administrative and organizational ability, willingness to counsel, to do community and evangelistic outreach with enthusiasm.

The church sought a new pastor who would bring a fresh perspective in fostering its spiritual growth to carry it into the 21st Century. Shortly after Pastor Soaries' installation, it became evident that God had sent a man of immense vision. Reverend DeForest Blake Soaries preached his first sermon as the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens on November 4, 1990. He was officially installed April 14, 1991 following a week long celebration. The late Reverend Dr. Samuel Proctor, former pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church, New York City, mentor and teacher of Pastor Soaries was the keynote speaker.

Six months earlier, during the Annual Church Meeting, December 12, 1990, Pastor Soaries outlined a plan of action for the church that would integrate the many church activities into cohesive administrative units.