The first meeting of First Southern Baptist Church was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. George White, 2248 Stewart, Kansas City, Kansas on March 21, 1953, with 54 people present. The meeting was characterized by enthusiasm, high hopes, anticipation and expectation.

Mrs Luther Sprague brought the devotion from Nehemiah 4:6 abnd I Corintians 3:9. Following a season of prayer, plans were made and accepted concerning temporary organization. George White was elected Moderator and Marjorie Fife, Acting Secretary.

Eyes filled with tears and hearts were full of joy as David Day was given a unanimous call as pastor, and Miss Elizabeth Casebold (later Lobaugh) was called as Director of Personal Evangelism in charge of the visitation program. Our theme song, "Onward Chrsitian Soldiers" helped us to march forward seeking lost people and unenlisted Baptists. Sunday after Sunday people were savced and moved their membership.

God heard and answered our prayer to provide a meeting place. Westheight Methodist Church owned by the Church of Christ was made available for $50,000. Phones rang, calling a special business meeting. Fifteen people volunteered their signatures on $1,000.00 to guarantee a loan of $15,000.00. A praryer meeting was being held at the same time negotiations were being made for the property at 2500 Nebraska, Kansas City, Kansas.

Saturday, March 28, 1953 there arrived on the scene at he corner of 25th and Nebraska a peope with a mind to work to prepare the beautiful stone building for the Sunday Services.

IT IS NO WONDER FIRST SOUTHERN WAS KNOWN AS THE MIRACLE CHURCH!

In March 28, 1953 the church voted to affiliate with the George W Truett Baptist Association, now known as Kansas City, Kansas Baptist Association.

Sunday, March 29th was a wonderful day of joy and sweet fellowship as we sang, prayed and worshipped. Our morning service was broadcast over KCLO, Leavenworth, Kansas. Kenneth Patterson brought a Sunday School Report of 129 in attendance. Miss Elizabeth Casebold, Training Union Director reported 60 in attendance for Training Union. An offering of $702.90 was received with 122 additions to the church that first Sudnay (including the 50 who formed the original organization).

The Women's Missionary Union was organized October 1, 1953 with an enrollment of 30. Mrs Gene Hall was elected President. Floyd Harris was elected Brotherhood President.

1954 was a productive year: An educational building was purchased September 1, 1954. Three Missions were started all of them becoming churches during the year 1955. Coronado Hills Baptist church, Kansas City, Kansas; Fairfax Hills Baptist church, Kansas City, Kansas; Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Olathe, Kansas.

Our first parsonage was purchased November 6, 1957. Other property was purchased October 5, 1960 to make space available for a new educational building with a temporary sanctuary. All of these things were made possible for us by our wonderful Lord, Jesus Christ. The educational building made it possible for us to have one Sunday School and Church Service.

Ground breaking ceremony for the first unit of our building program was held February 26, 1961. The Dedication Service was held March 25, 1962 with Dr Porter Ruth as guest speaker. The Dedication sermon for the new building was preached by Dr. R. G Lee of Memphis, Tennessee.

Rev. David Day led us in a great way the fist two years and interim pastor, Rev. W. J. Meadows served as interim for 4 months. Brother John McBain began his ministry, May 1, 1956 and led us onward and forward under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, until May 31, 1963. Rev. Paul Ellege, Superintendent of Missions for the Kansas City Kansas Baptist Association interimed from June, 1963, until November 1st. December 1, 1963 Rev Charles E. Vincent came as our third pastor from Padukah, Kentucky and led us for four years.

Our gracious Heavenly Father provided us with wonderful leaders through the years. Dr. C. DeWitt Matthews served as interim from January of 1967 until May 12, 1968 when Brother James W. Davis became our pastor. Brother Davis retired after serving as pastor for 15 years. Dr. Allard Garren served as interim from September 1983 until April 1984 when Brother Ken Freemyer came from Casper, Wyoming to be our pastor.

First Southern has always been a mission-minded church. In 1962 we sponsored a family from Cuba: the Othoniel Castro family. Later a sister and an aunt of Mrs. Castro came and they were also sponsored by our church. When Othoniel and Noeida came they had two little boys, Othoniel (Otico) 5 years and Miguel Angelo, 18 months old. When they had been here awhile a little daughter, Noeida (Noe), came to grace their home. Now Dr. Othoniel Castro is a neurologist practicing in the state of New York and Dr. Miguel Castro is a dentist practicing in Florida. Noe graduated from college and is employed by Hallmark, Inc. In the early years, our Lottie Moon Offering was $300.00 and grew to $3,800.00 in 1962.

The Ministry of our church to our silent friends began in March, 1965 and continued strongly for 8 years.

A Mission Store at 1409 Southwest Boulevard was opened in May, 1965. Charlene McGrew directed this work. She stocked the store with items of household goods, clothing, shoes, books, toys, dishes, household applianceds, jewelry and other items which people could buy at very reasonable prices. With each pruchase, Charlene provided a scripture tract, or magazine, or something which would present Jesus Christ to the recipient. She provided Vacation bible School for the children of the area. The meetings were held in her back yard and several of the neighbors were led to a salvation experience after hearing speakers at the Vacation Bible School meetings. The building was sold in 1975 and Charlene was forced to close the store, since there was no other available space. She retired and lived out her life in Charrollton, Missouri.

In August, 1974 a new Baptistery was installed and the auditorium was remodeled, providing a beautiful sanctuary in which to worship. The generous spirit of giving which prevails in our people enabled us to pay for the pews and capreting before the end of 1964.

Brother Ken Freemyer came in April 1984. A number of new ministries began. Each month we enjoyed Mission Night, sponsored by both the W.M.U. and Brotherhood, when a furloughing missionary came to tell us of their work on the mission field The Baptist Women's organization was reorganized in 1990, and has since then taken part in several Christian Social Mission Action projects such as Christmas in July, sponsored by Kansas City Kansas Baptist Ministries which helps provide socks, underwear, toys, hats and gloves for needy children. This ministry also ministers to prisoners and their families at Christmas.

A van was donated to the church by one of our families in 1991 and a large tour-sized bus was purchased by the church to be used in the bus ministry. These buses have effectively provided transportation for many senior citizens and children who had no transportaton.

Brother Ken conducted a Bible Study at the Plaza Towers High Rise at 1200 North 75th Place each Thursday morning and brought devotionals to the Nutrition Site lunch each Wednesday. The Nutrition Site meal was provided each day by the Area Agency on aging of Wyandotte County and First Southern proviced facilities in which to serve it. This program enabled us to minister to many persons we would not have contacted otherwise.

In May 1992 First Southern sponsored a Family Fun Fair for the people of our community. Booths were set up which offered games and prizes, other information and provided practical helps for everyday living.

Under the Direction of Mrs. Hilda Wilson, the Sudnay School provided a Family Emphasis which began with Mother's Day and ended Father's Day which provided an emphasis on Family Living.

Easter Sunday had become an interesting and joyful day, as that is when Brother Ken and Judi provide breakfast for the members of First Southern, between Sunrise Service at 7:30 a.m. and Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.

On Mother's Day the men of the church provided breakfast fo the ladies and then on Father's Day the ladies returned the favor.

Plans were made and a staff elected to conduct a Children's Church during Sunday Morning Worship Service in January 1993. This service provided music, prayer, scriptures, and bible study for the younger elementary grades. Miss Marie Johnson and Mrs. Lucy Wilson headed up this project. God blessed this effort and it was a benefit to our children.

During the years of 1989 through 1990 First Southern had a Fair Ministry at the Wyandotte County Fair each summer. We set up a booth and passed out "a cold drink of water in the name of the Lord". The first year we set up our booth we were the only church that did not sell anything. The next two years several more churches had an outreach ministry at the fair also.

During Brother Ken Freemyer's ministry, he was involved with the Chaplain Program of the Kansas City Kansas Police and Fire Departments. He served as supervising chaplain in the ministry supervising sixteen other chaplains.

Brother Ken preached his last sermon Father's Day June 21, 1998. On June 22nd he suffered a heart attack and was promoted to heaven late that night. At his memorial service he was honored by the Kansas City Kansas Police and Fire Departments for his faithful service to both departments.

During Brother Ken's ministry Barbara Sellers served as Minister of Missions to coordinate all the Mission Outreach of our Church.

Dr. Allard Garren served as our Interim Pastor a second time for 12 months. During this time the parsonage was sold. It has become a common practice now to not have a parsonage but a housing allowance so a Pastor can accumulate an equity in a house for future retirement.

In June 1999 Brother Jon Talbert was called as our 6th full time pastor. In 50 years we have had six full time pastors. We are proud of this record considering the average tenure of a Southern Baptist Pastor is 24 months. First Southern continues to be mission minded.

In the beginning, First Southern was known as the Miracle Chruch because we had no property, no money, no equipment, only a few Christians who had a "mind to work" and a desire to see the work of the Lord grow in this area. God provided all that we needed to begin His work in this palce. He has provided for us throughout the past 50 years and Praise His Wonderful Name we will continue to seek his leadership in the coming years so that we may see increased growth at First Southern and continue to strive to be a Light House in this area for our Lord.

written by Gordon White

First Southern Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas