Our Churches History
“A brief look at 45 years”

October 29, 1961 - October 29, 2006 

On Sunday October 29^th 1961 The Tabernacle Baptist church was organized in Texarkana, Texas under the authority of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Tulsa, Ok.

Pastor W.C. Crider of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Tulsa, Ok. brought the charge to the church, with Brother Wayne Cox Pastor of Westlawn Terrace Baptist Church bringing the origination message, with Brother Jim Frederick acting as moderator.

The motion was made by Brother A.R. Bookout to organize into a church with Brother A.B. Harris seconding that motion. All eight charter members voted “yes” and charter membership was extended until the January 7^th 1962.

The charter membership was as follow’s: Brother A.C. Bookout, Sister Juanita Bookout, Brother O. E. Beck, Brother James A. Frederick, Sister Wanda Fredrick, Pastor Ronnie L. Forsythe, Sister Patsy S. Forsythe, Brother A.B. Harris, Sister Rosie Harris, Brother Alomzo Hicks, and Sister Jamie Hicks. Only one charter member remains a member 45 years later, Sister Juanita Bookout.

Pastor Ronnie L. Forsythe was issued a call to fill the pulpit as Pastor and he accepted (Pastor Forsythe was from the Belfort Park Baptist Church in Houston, Texas).

On January 7^th 1962 the Tabernacle Baptist Church observed the Lords Supper for the first time.

On February 1962 Pastor Ronnie L. Forsythe resigned as Pastor.

On June 10^th 1962 Brother Steve Fulton was issued a call to become Pastor and became the churches second Pastor on June 30^th 1962 and worked here until September 1969.

On September 28^th 1969 the church in search of a new Pastor had a split vote of 7 – 5 to call a Brother Fuller form the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Tulsa, Ok. over Brother Jimmy DeMoss, but after contacting Brother Fuller he informed the church he would not accept the work.    

On October 12, 1969 Brother Jimmie DeMoss was by secret Ballet elected to become the churches new Pastor, Pastor DeMoss was elected by secret Ballet on a 7 – 4 vote and on November 5^th 1969 and on December 28^th 1969 Brother Jimmie DeMoss became the Pastor of the Church. Pastor Jimmie DeMoss resigned as Pastor on February 1^st 1976 and the church voted to accept his resignation.

On February 24^th 1976 the church voted unanimous to call Brother Noel Warren from Waldo, Ark. To be the new Pastor and on March 7^th 1976 Brother Warren became the churches new Pastor. On September 25^th 1977 Pastor Warren resigned as Pastor because of a loss of hearing.

On December 21^st, 1977 the church extended a call to Brother Martin E. Holmes of Sunbury, Ohio but withdrew that call on December 25^th 1977 because the church could not meet the financial demands of Brother Holms.

On February 2^nd 1978 the church voted to call Brother Oscar Mink of Mansfield, Ohio to be their new Pastor, but it appears that the church withdrew that call on May 3^rd 1979.   

On April 5^th 1978 a motion made by Brother Mark Harris and second by Brother Joe Henderson to change the churches name from Tabernacle Baptist Church to the Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church and the motion carried by unanimous vote.

During this time the church had tossed around several names for a new Pastor but either withdrew the call or was turned down mostly because of money offered.

On June 3^rd 1979 the church gave the Pulpit Committee authorization to call two Brothers, Doyle Thomas and Wade Miles.

On June 24^th the church voted on Brother Wade Miles but the Motion died for a lack of a second to the vote, then the church voted unanimous to withdraw the call to Brother Miles.

Brother Doyle Thomas became the new Pastor in November 1979, but the exact date is unclear except on November 11^th 1979 the Church did vote to rent a truck to move Brother Thomas to Texarkana.

On January 16^th 1983 Pastor Doyle Thomas resigned to become Pastor of Big Creek Baptist Church in Wayne, W.V.

Also on January 16^th 1983 The church voted to extend a call to Pastor Oscar Mink to become their new Pastor. On March 13^th 1983 Brother Mink accepted the call but asked for two additional months to clear commitments in Ohio.

On April 20^th 1983 Brother Mink became the new Pastor. Pastor Mink retired in January 2000.

In March 2000 Brother Al Horn became the new Pastor and Pastor Horn Resigned in January 2003.

In December 2003 Brother Randy Johnson Visited as a guest speaker on regular basis and in March 2004 the Church called Brother Johnson to be their new Pastor and he accepted. Pastor Johnson is their current Pastor as of this date 10/29/2006