One of the true joys of faithful churches is found in the opportunity to plant new churches. Our church has been blessed to help organize three strong churches: Belview, Southwood, and Monte Los Olivos. Each of these congregations was born out of a committed group of lay leaders who saw a greater vision for God’s kingdom. I highlighted in 2022 the remarkable vision of our church to send nearly 100 members, in concert with our local association of churches, to plant the Belview Baptist Church on north Yale Ave.
Tulsa’s Southwood Baptist Church is a story of faith, adversity, and victory. In 1975, our church, under the leadership of J. Ray Smith, one of our deacons, outlined a vision for a new congregation in southeast Tulsa. Mr. Smith had located a piece of property on 41st Street south near where Highway 169 would one day be extended south. I was on the Missions Committee of our Association at the time. One of our tasks was to locate and purchase future property for new church starts. The association soon purchased the property. In August of 1976, I received a phone call concerning a possible new mission start. I met with the fledgling church group and subsequently our church voted to help them become a new church. Our church led the organizing council in September 1976. They met for a while at the former Mayo Elementary School, but later we invited them to share our facilities while they raised the funds to build on the 41st streetproperty.
In the late 1980’s, Southwood found themselves in a financial crisis due to a balloon payment due on their church bonds, and the savings and loans banking crisis across the country. Our church stepped up to help them weather that stormby endorsing a plan for refinancing their debt. It never cost our church any money, just faith and much prayer. Southwood has always been known for its community outreach with the nearby Roy Clark Elementary school, providing hospitality with food and clothes, English as a second language classes, and as a lighthouse of wise counsel for those needing salvation and renewal. Sunday, September 27th, Southwood Baptist Church will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. What a fellowship!
Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Share the joy. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.
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