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Wichita Bible Church
(as written for 50th anniversary in 1988)
Fifty years ago our fathers
brought forth in this city a church dedicated to the proposition that the
Bible is important, that Christ should be honored, and that the gospel
should be preached to the world.
It started with a small group of
people and a pastor, Rev. Roy F. Rinker, who desired to start a new church.
With the above stated purposes in mind, they began a new church in the
basement at Central and Erie. That was in October of 1938. When the rains
came and the basement leaked, they decided to look for other facilities. At
that time a building at First and Green was available from the Defenders of
the Christian Faith organization. It was agreed to purchase that building
for about $ 6,000. Since the pastor’s credit was better than that of the
church, Rev. Rinker bought the church building. The Wichita Gospel Center
of Free Brethren in Christ relocated to 2525 E. First in June of 1941.
As time went by and the rains
came, they discovered that the roof of this church leaked. One of the
elders, Leslie Unruh, mortgaged his cattle so they could have enough money
to put on a new roof. Upon Rev. Rinker’s death in November of 1942, the
church purchased the building from his wife.
In the year that followed, the
elders took turns preaching each week. And in the spring of 1944 Dr. F. Wm.
May became interim pastor. Dr. May, of Midwest Bible and Missionary
Institute in Salina, commuted to Wichita each week for a little more than a
year. During this time the church became incorporated and enjoyed growth
and development.
Rev. Max R. Clinton was
installed as pastor on July 7, 1946. During his twelve years as pastor, the
Sunday School grew from 39 to 196. The church property was almost entirely
renovated and a house was purchased adjacent to the church for added Sunday
School space. In 1956 the name of the church was changed to Wichita Bible
Church.
Our present pastor, Rev. Jack E.
Middleton, was won to the Lord as a result of the testimony of Leslie Unruh,
one of the elders of the church. Following Bible College, Pastor Middleton
returned to the church June in 15, 1958. Initially, he served as associate
pastor, and within a few months assumed the responsibilities as pastor. The
church continued to grow and more buildings were acquired in the area to
accommodate the Sunday school and youth program.
By 1974 the growing pains were
becoming increasingly intense. It was at this time that the Lord provided
the present facilities at 633 S. Woodlawn. The mortgage was $ 135,000. It
seemed a giant step of faith, as the congregation moved into the present
facility, to see their monthly mortgage go from around $ 135 to $ 1355! It
was with a united goal, much determination and hard work on the part of the
people, that they renovated the present facility in a matter of the few
short weeks to make it “their own church” and to get it ready for the
ministry they had in mind. God’s faithful provision was again witnessed.
D. Lynn Thompson was added to the
staff in July of 1977. He became the first associate pastor with a ministry
directed toward the youth. In May of 1983, Roger H. Pryor assumed this
position. We brought on staff our third (and present) associate pastor, Tim McGaughy in June of 1987.
Through its history, the church
has developed an increasing interest in missions. The first missionary
supported by the church was Charles Holden, in the amount of $ 8.00 per
month. Since that time our missions program has grown to include 30
missionaries or mission organizations with a monthly commitment of $ 4,095.
The heart for missions is most clearly seen by the number of men and women
(approximately 70) from this congregation who have gone to serve as
missionaries, pastors and other full-time Christian service workers.
Another unique aspect of the
church came into being in 1961 when the first adult elective Sunday school
classes were offered. The original intent was to offer to those who were
interested, the opportunity to study the Bible at the level of a college
course. These classes still continue.
Only a few of the original
members are still living. Yet their faith and testimony has won others to
the Lord, who are presently involved in the church and its outreach.
Current active members who were there in 1940 are: Bill Ginn, Katie Unruh
and Bert and Leona Froese.
When reflecting on some events of
the past, it is always appropriate to remember what the Psalmist said years
ago: “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.”
(Psalm 117:1) the real strength of this congregation lies in the things that
God has done and is doing in the lives of people– changing them more into
his likeness.
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