First Baptist Church of New Carlisle Southern Baptist Church The First Baptist Church of New Carlisle supports the missionary and ministry work of the Southern Baptist Convention, the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, and the Greater Dayton Association of Baptists. So many godly men and women have faithfully served the LORD throughout our fifty plus years. We are grateful for each person who has prayed, taught Sunday School, ministered as a deacon, participated in missions, served as a trustee, sung in the choir, played an instrument, cared for kids in the nursery, driven a church vehicle, or given sacrificially of their time and money and abilities in any way to accomplish the mission God called that small group to accomplish in 1955-56. Church History A Brief Church History In the fall of 1955, Chester and Lizzie Johnson and Wesley and Lillie Crumpler, approached Pastor Roy McGuffey of the Northridge Baptist Church about the possibility of starting a Southern Baptist mission in New Carlisle. Northridge agreed to serve as the mother church for the new start. The community was invited to a prayer meeting and the surprising number who attended in spite of the downpour of rain would give birth to a new congregation of believers. Young Fred Hill, age 18, agreed to serve as pastor for the mission. In just a few months, the mission constituted as a church on May 13, 1956, with 46 charter members under the name, the New Carlisle Baptist Church. After Bro. Fred Hill left for college, a pastoral search resulted in calling Ben Hubbard on February 13, 1957. In December of 1956, prior to calling Pastor Hubbard, the church purchased 4.22 acres of land on St. Rt. 571 just west of town. After meeting in several locations during their infancy, the first building was completed and occupied in July of 1960. After Ben Hubbard resigned in August of 1963, John Stott came to serve as pastor in December of the same year. As the membership grew, a building campaign resulted in construction of a new sanctuary, classrooms, kitchen and fellowship hall in 1966. In addition to the construction project, the church sponsored a new work in Troy, Ohio that same year, the first of seven mission works the church would eventually help sponsor through the years. John Stott's ministry ended in November of 1967 and he was followed by Robert Wiley in March of 1968. Brother Bob remained as pastor until October of 1971 and John Sester filled in as interim pastor until James I. Stewart came in March of 1972. A tragic church split took place prior to Pastor Stewart's leaving in March of 1975. Pastor Hershel Luttrell helped the church to recover from that heartbreaking episode from December 1975 until February 1979. John Sester returned for a second term as interim pastor and Gary Mullins came on staff as a volunteer worship leader shortly after. In December of 1979, Rick Shoemaker was called to serve as pastor. Rick and Gary worked together until the end of 1986 and saw significant numerical growth. During Pastor Rick's 27 year ministry, several men have served with him either part time or full time. Terry McGraner worked in the area of outreach and music for several years. Stephan Oliver served for a few months in Youth Ministry. Steve Stiglich was Youth Pastor for about 2 years. Doug Grote served in youth and recreation ministry from 1994-1997. Jeff Christmas came as Associate Pastor in 1998 with a primary focus on youth and continues to serve in that capacity. In 1994, the third building was completed to house a gym/fellowship hall and nursery/preschool classrooms that would also be used for what is now WEE Care Child Care. The new facility has hosted a wide variety of outreach and ministry programs including banquets, dinner theaters, sporting events, VBS, Amazing Grace races, AWANAS, etc. Melvin and Geneva Christmas 50 Years of Service Charter Members ( * still attending, ** with the Lord ) Mrs. Winifred Ball Mr. & Mrs. Keith Cable Mrs. Ruby Cecil** Mrs. Anna Lee Chesnut Mrs. Marilyn Chesnut Mr. & Mrs. Melvin Christmas* Miss Diane Crumpler Mr. & Mrs. Wesley Crumpler** Bill Embry Linda Embry Mr. & Mrs. Bill Embry Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Green Mr. & Mrs. Marshall Hanksins** Mr. Fred Hill Mr. & Mrs. William Hisle Estill Johnson James Johnson Mrs. Malissa Johnson** Ronnie Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Chester Johnson** Mrs. Dorothy Marshall** Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Mattingly** Miss Dolores Mendenhall** Mrs. Miriam Mendenhall** Mr. & Mrs. Vinson Moore Freddie Porter James Porter Mrs. Mary Porter Mrs. Marjorie Potts Miss Virginia Potts Mr. Robert Pruitt Mr. & Mrs. Don Shreev** Mr. & Mrs. Hollis Taylor Shirley Wolf