HESPERIA, Calif. -- In 1955, First Baptist Church opened with a 20-member congregation.

Today, Sunday attendance averages 1,000, and according to the Hesperia Star, it's preparing to move a new church.

"We have been growing and growing," said Bob Grissom, associate pastor and church administrator. "Now we can't grow anymore and we need to move."

First Baptist Church has outgrown its original sanctuary and two others it built on the same 2.5 acres the congregation has owned since it's founding. The new church property, on 20 acres, will eventually be able to accommodate a congregation of as many as 4,000 members.

To attract younger worshippers, the church has developed a large children's ministry. Wayne Stockstill, the church's senior pastor, also has been credited for drawing people to the church.

For now, the church will meet in its new multi-purpose room, which seats 630 people.

By moving to a larger sanctuary, First Baptist Church may grow by several hundred people immediately, Grissom said. The sanctuary on Seventh Avenue holds about 330 people, and is packed during all three weekend services.

There may be people who will attend more frequently when parking and seating hassles are eliminated by the larger building, Grissom said.

The new church will also provide more room for Sunday school classes.

"We're very big on education here," Grissom said. "We have Sunday school for all ages."