Well, that move from Wichita to Indianapolis brings us to the final chapter of this “Our Journey.” We arrived on the field, as promised, the 9th of September, 1979. I handed the pastoral baton over, at the direction of the church who called him to pastor, to my assistant of eight years, Joel Stevens, on the Sunday marking my 40th anniversary as pastor of TRBC, September 9, 2019.
The forty years at this southside Indianapolis church were years of trials and triumphs, as is the case with most churches, I suppose. The blessings far outnumbered the burdens. The church was founded by a group of people meeting in a garage a block from its current location. Looking back over the minutes of those founding months, one discovers that first and foremost in the minds of those charter members was “missions.” Faith-promise giving was practiced by this body from its inception, and supporting missionaries (with both prayer and money) was the top priority. This early assembly was called Edgewood Baptist Church. A successful businessman in the Longacre community donated a two-plus acre piece of farmland, near where the garage stood, and the small congregation started up in that. A beautiful building was soon erected, the cornerstone of which reads “1958.” That building had a lovely, high-ceiling, wooden-beamed frame, with a nursery, pulpit, etc. Pictures of its services indicate that a full-house of people, dressed in their Sunday best, was present—families mostly, with children of all ages—to hear the preacher preach.
Within 10 years, Edgewood Baptist Church merged with Grace Memorial Baptist Church, and Pastor Roy Julian led that flock. It was officially named Thompson Road Baptist Church, occupying a beautiful new sanctuary, in 1969. Pastor Julian, a “fireball” Tennessee Temple College graduate, kept the pulpit hot, with souls being saved and missionaries being sent, for about nine years, until God moved him to Smyrna Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. He was succeeded by Pastor Fred Moritz in about 1972, a strong, Bible preacher/teacher who also knew how to keep the fires burning, spiritually. These pastors were men of differing “styles,” but both had an unwavering commitment to the authority of the Word of God, and they were loved dearly by their flocks.
So, that is a “thumbnail” sketch of the history of TRBC that preceded my accepting the call to pastor. Briefly stated, the church was led by strong men of God whose ministries were known for preaching that was Holy Spirit-powered, with the utmost concern for souls to be saved, and for God’s people to be constantly challenged to live surrendered lives for His glory. Any pastor would be delighted to lead a flock with that history. And, from my first Sunday in the pulpit to my final farewell, I never got over the privilege and solemn responsibility of it all. To be sure, my style probably differed from each of the preceding pastors—as is often the case. Some folk left to find a pastor whose style was more compatible with their spirit, but the church was well grounded, and while some left, God brought others to join us, and He blessed us through thick and through thin. Trying times came upon us, but there were always trusting times that preceded, accompanied, and followed the trying times. His grace was always more than sufficient.
Indiana had a church/pastors fellowship that was/is known as the Indiana Fundamental Baptist Fellowship of Churches. These 100 or so churches met regularly through the years, with strong leadership—the likes of Warren Dafoe, Collins Glenn, Larry Hufhand, Don Camp, the Crocketts (father and son), Wendell Heller, Vaughn Sprunger, Bob Taylor, DeWayne Felber and his son Mark, Charlie Kittrell, and many, many other men of God. They pastored churches that were unashamed to line up with the fundamentals of the faith and to be known as independent, fundamental Baptists. This Fellowship became known—according to what visiting evangelists and leaders of strong, separatist colleges would testify—as one of the strongest fellowships of churches in the nation. That made it a special joy to pastor in Indiana.
Sometime early in my ministry at TRBC, I was invited to join the Baptist World Mission board. That was in 1981. I am still a member of that board, and this privilege has impacted my ministry immeasurably. Thirty-two pastors and/or ministry leaders, from differing regions of the United States, meet regularly in praying for and in assisting local churches in getting God-called missionaries to their fields of service. Along with this, I have also served as a board member of The Shepherd’s Bethel ministry, located in West Baden Springs, Indiana, and led by Mike Weiss. It is a unique ministry that exists solely to provide housing for missionaries on deputation or furlough—beautiful housing with many special amenities (fresh deer, beef, and vegetables, plus a closet for wardrobe needs, among many other things)—at no cost. To have had a “front row” seat for 30 or more years, where I could observe the hand of God at work through the total dedication of Mike and Susan Weiss—uplifted by scores of local churches and businesses—has without doubt been one of the very special blessings of the “work” of the ministry that God has graciously given me here at TRBC. I could never thank Him enough. I am unworthy; all glory and praise belong to Him.
This last statement/paragraph will be the most important of this saga: “Anything accomplished for the advance of His kingdom in a half-century of pastoring is because of God’s grace, and He alone is worthy of all glory; and, anything of worth that has been woven in our life’s story is, because of God’s grace, due to the beautiful and gracious help-meet that has been by my side every step of the way, my darling Ellen. For her, I am eternally grateful to God.” Selah.
“Now unto Him that is able to keep you (us) from falling, and to present you (us) faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 24, 25)
Below are links to the previous “Our Journey” blogs.