Oak Hill Baptist celebrates 100 years

On Aug. 1, 2010, Oak Hill Baptist Church will celebrate 100 years of continuous ministry in the Oak Hill community, west of Many.

“We are blessed with a great past, wonderful present, and an even greater future,” said Pastor Chris Holloway.

The church will hold their 100th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Aug. 1 at 10:30 a.m. with dinner to follow.

A former Oak Hill pastor, Bro. Hoy Leach, will deliver the morning message.

The church was first organized on April 3, 1910, and by June 10 of that year the church had 80 members. The Rev. W.H. Brumley served as the first pastor of the church from 1910-1914. The first deacons were ordained Oct. 10, 1914.

The old Oak Hill schoolhouse served as the meeting place until a building could be secured for the church, with a new building being constructed in 1920. Then, in 1948, another new church building was constructed to incorporate the growth. In the past two years, the church has been remodeled and a new parking lot has been constructed.

There have been many who have gone before the current congregation who have lovingly labored to insure that this church will continue in ministry in the Oak Hill community. The church is extremely thankful for their faithfulness and their labors and celebrate such faithfulness and work.

In the last several years, Oak Hill Baptist Church has been privileged to be a part of some incredible things. In the last five years, the church has raised over $50,000 to send students on mission trips to foreign countries as well as within the United States. Students from Sabine Parish have traveled to Africa, Australia, Botswanna, China, El Salvador, India, Jordan, Peru, and Romania. In America, students have gone to New York City and Tyler, Texas. The church currently has a college student, Matt Peace, in India and a high school student, Katelyn Masters, traveling to Scotland. Another college student, Hannah Scoggins, just returned from India in June.

In addition to sending students on mission trips, the church sponsors the new Freedom Pointe Church in Eugene, Ore., where the Rev. Bobby Blake, a Shreveport native, is pastor.

As a result of John Holloway going to India two years ago, the church has formed a relationship with Mission Voice Network that is headed by Kopuchalia Vijiyan. “Pastor V” as he is called, has stayed in Oak Hill’s youth building on two occasions for four months at a time and has spoken to many of the churches in Sabine and Natchitoches parishes. To date, almost $90,000 has been donated through Oak Hill church to that ministry, which feeds and clothes the children and elderly of southern India. Five water wells have also been drilled to date in southern India to provide safe, clear drinking water to Christians and Hindu alike. Thousands of Hindu have come to know Jesus through the ministry.

The congregation of Oak Hill Baptist Church invites all to participate in the landmark occasion. The church is located approximately five miles west of Many off Hwy. 6 across from B.J.’s. For more information, please contact the church office at 318-256-5514.