User:Martharoad/sandbox

Martha Road Baptist church is located four miles north of Altus Okalahoma.

T.F Medlin traveled from Shreveport, LA in the 1880’s to begin a evangelistic ministry among the men and women who had settled along the route of the great cattle drives. Millions of cattle and thousands of cowboys crossed the Red River at Doan’s Crossing south of Altus and many remained in the area because of the lush pasture between the North Fork and South Fork of the Red River. It was among these people that a small country church was started. In 1889, with Rev T.F. Medlin as the founder and pastor, a small group of believers formed a church, which they called Fairview Baptist Church. Their meeting place was the schoolhouse. There were twenty-four charter members. The town of Martha was officially named after Rev. Medlin's daughter. The church’s name was then changed to the First Baptist Church of Martha. In 1905, the congregation built a frame building in which to meet. This building was located on School Street in Martha. Today this location is the home of the Martha Volunteer Fire Department. In 1925, with great sacrifice, the congregation came together to finance the building of a brick sanctuary on Main Street in Martha. Farmers mortgaged their farms and had great difficulty in meeting loan payments. Thankfully, there were no foreclosures, and the loan was paid in full. The Lord showed Himself faithful.

In 1986, the church body voted to start a fund for the construction of a building. A change of building site was later agreed upon and, in order to signify location, the name was changed to Martha Road Baptist Church. "BY GOD'S HAND AND IN HIS TIME" became our motto as we waited upon Him and proceeded to build as He provided funds. Groundbreaking was on October 15, 1995, and actual construction began the first week in November, 1995. Because problems and setbacks were many, overall progress was slow, but God was more then faithful, more than gracious, and more than generous. A day of dedication and celebration marked by praise and the first official worship service in the new building was held on Sunday, October 29, 2000. To God be the glory; great things He hath done!

In 2004 Kevin Baker became our pastor. As the church began to grow in its new location the church formed a Vision Team to consider the future growth of ministries at MRBC. The Vision Team developed the Vision and Purpose statements and has been instrumental in implementing key ministries that aid in the assimilation of new families into the church.

In 2007 a second full time staff person was added by calling Stefan Valdez as the Student Pastor.

In 2007 Don Sevedge began serving on staff as our Minister of Education. Don plays a key role in the discipleship and assimilation process of the church.

In 2009 the church began a second worship service to accommodate the growing number of people worshiping at Martha Road.

In 2010 Martha Road began construction on a new 24,000 sq ft educational building in September 2010. By God’s hand and in His time we are praying that we will begin using this building in September 2012.

In 2011 Beth Roberts began serving as our Children’s Ministry Leader. Beth has since developed the Greenhouse Children’s Ministry.