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History
On February 22, 1938, a handful of
believers gathered at the home of Mrs.
and Mrs. Charles Barker, 315 Daisy
Avenue, Berea, for prayer and
fellowship. Supplications were made to
God that He should guide them in the
opening of a fundamental Baptist
testimony in Berea. God answered their
prayers. After several weeks of Bible
studies led by Rev. Henry Cruver, a
Sunday school was begun in an abandoned
chapel on Grayton Road, just south of
the airport. Nineteen people gathered
for their first meeting in which Mr.
Charles Barker was elected
superintendent and Mrs. Don Burke chosen
as the superintendent of the primary
department. Four classes were formed.
On the following Sunday afternoon, the
first worship service was held with Rev.
Cruver bringing the message.
The new work prospered and it soon became
apparent that a duly organized church should
be established. A constitution was drawn up
and articles of faith were adopted and
subscribed to by twenty-five charter members
on November 16, 1938. The "first fruits" of
God's work were manifested when three made
known their desire to follow Christ in
baptism on December 11.
Rev. Cruver continued to
serve as interim missionary/pastor even
while pastoring the First Baptist Church of
LaGrange, but the rapid growth of this baby
church soon warranted the services of a full
time pastor. In April, 1939, an "open
pulpit" was declared and on December 10,
1939, the church extended a call to Rev.
George G. Nika.
Highlights of these early days include: the
purchase of the property, admission to the
Hebron Association of Independent Baptists,
the first regular missionary support (Bob
Rodgers at $5.00 per month), one hundred in
Sunday School on May 19, 1940, street
meetings on the "triangle" in Berea, the
opening of "The Gospel Center" in the heart
of Berea and purchasing of a parsonage.
Rev. Nika resigned on November 24, 1946 and
the church then extended a call to Rev. Earl
V. Willetts on April 28, 1947. Pastor
Willetts served faithfully as Pastor for
twenty-four years retiring in March, 1971.
Under his leadership, the church completed
three building programs. The first one was
started in 1948 with the purchase of the
West Street property. Our present
auditorium was occupied in April, 1966.
During the close of Pastor Willetts'
ministry, Robert Tilburt served as an
Assistant Pastor with emphasis on youth.
Rev. Roy Gibbs became Pastor at Berea in
April, 1971 following in faithfulness for
six years. During this time period, Roger
Salomon was called as Director of Christian
Education.
Pastor Derwin Hauser was called as Pastor in
June, 1978 and continued his service here
until December, 1983. Both Tom Hamilton and
Kenneth Spink were called as Youth Pastors
during Pastor Hauser's ministry.
Rev. Kenneth J. Spink began his ministry at
Berea Baptist on November 15, 1982 as the
Youth Pastor. After Pastor Hauser left, the
church extended a call to Pastor Spink to
become Senior Pastor on February 29, 1984.
Associate Pastors serving with Pastor Spink
include: David Blackstone, 1985-1989
(youth), Rev. T. Fred Hussey, 1988-1991
(seniors), Thomas A. Graef, 1989-1994
(youth), Rev. Vernon A. Jones, 1993-1997
(Crisis Contact Coordinator), John Guenther,
1994-2002 (Planned Contact Coordinator),
Kevin W. Conner, 1996-1999 (Youth), Rev.
Evan Gough, 2001-2003, (Seniors), Jeremy
Workman, 2000-2008 (Youth), Rev. William
Mosher 2008- (Seniors).
Evidence of God's working through His people
is seen in the hundreds of souls who have
come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Believers have been edified through the
faithful teaching of the Word. Also, there
have been many whom God has called out into
the ministry from our church. The final
results of God's work will be revealed only
in eternity.
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