History of SRBC

HISTORY OF SULPHUR ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH

In 1887, a group of Baptists purchased a building from what was then a Presbyterian Church, and the Sulphur Rock Baptist Church was organized.

In 1938, the building was destroyed by a tornado.  Sulphur Rock Baptist Church was rebuilt at the same location with membership donations of money, labor, and materials.  

The following men served as pastor, with some years the church being without a pastor:

In 1965, Mr. Albert Shell donated land, and a new building was dedicated on 470 North Vaughan Street on January 16, 1966.


In 1975, an extension was constructed, which included a small fellowship hall.  


1976:  


Bro. James Ingram was called as pastor at that time in 1977.  Bro. Ingram was the first person to realize that the church needed to be extended to the East.  He served as pastor until 1980.


The following were pastor for these years: 


On January 29, 1986, Bro. David Coleman was called as pastor.  Under his leadership, the church was led to appoint a building committee in 1989.  The result of careful planning was an extension, which included a basement.  The new extension was built by the Nailbenders and area men from Sulphur Rock Baptist and neighboring churches.  The new extension was dedicated on November 18, 1990. 

From 1994-1997, Bro. Emmit Powers served as pastor.

Beginning in 1998, Bro. Jim Tirey served as pastor.  In August 2000, Bro. John Goss began serving as interim pastor and became full-time in March of 2001.  The church also purchased a parsonage for the pastor and his family.

In June of 2003, Bro. Goss and his family (wife Angela, son Bry, and daughters Kristen, Emily, Jordan, and Hannah) surrendered to foreign missions and left in October for Indonesia.

In December 2003, Dr. Jim Box became our new pastor, and he and his wife Chris remained until they accepted a position as an associational missionary.

Dr. Fred Davis served as interim.  Then, the church hired Bartley Hillis.  Mike Conyers and his family served for several years.  Following this resignation, the church voted to participate in the Arkansas Baptist Association’s Intentional Interim Program.            

In August 2012, the church voted for Dr. Charles Barfield and his wife to lead the church through the intentional interim process.    During this time, a covered drive-through was added to the front of the church.

In the spring of 2014, the church voted to hire Pastor Kenny Crafton.  He is married to Lisa, and they have three daughters and sons-in-laws and four granddaughters.  Pastor Kenny resigned on June 17, 2018.

On February 3, 2019, SRBC welcomed Pastor Bill Allen and his wife Judy.  Bro. Bill and Judy served for 3 1/2 years.  In 2020 when COVID hit, the church did not meet face-to-face for some time.  Bro. Bill recorded and posted messages.  Summer events, including VBS and the women's conference, were canceled that year. When some of the restrictions were lifted, services resumed as normal.

Bro. Allen resigned effective August 14, 2022.

On January 28, 2024, SRBC then welcomed Pastor Chuck Miller and his wife Loretta.

SRBC has been and is active in service for the Lord

2022_Combo History_Staff