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Women on Mission May 2018

In a recent conversation with Martha Boultinghouse and her daughter Bonnie Beckham, they shared memories of the early days of Oakhill.  Their family had attended the Rescue Mission downtown for a number of years when Maurice   noted that they passed a Baptist Church every Sunday on their way into town.  He thought they could attend a church closer to home that would provide more for their children.  In 1961 they began attending Oakhill.  Cindy was 9, Bonnie was 8, and Judy was 7.

Oakhill met in a 3 car garage and small residence at the present location.  When they moved into a new building in 1965, Martha helped organize the nursery and kitchen.  They had to start from scratch as far as furnishings were concerned.  Not a lot of money was available to them.  Dishes were purchased from a dime store at Lawndale  (Kresge or Woolworth).  The ladies chipped in to make the purchase.  Economy Market had a deal giving silverware when you purchased groceries.  Port-a-cribs were bought for $10.00 each.  Martha served in the nursery from 1964 to 1979.   Bonnie has served since she was in her 20’s.  Her husband Larry works with her.  Martha recalled that in the early days the members took turns cleaning the church.  Nothing was hired out that could be done by members or the pastor.  Rev Bill Carter did the weekly bulletin, cleaned snowy drives and walks, mowed grass, whatever needed to be done.

When the church voted to build, the Boultinghouse family was 1 of 7 who put their homes up as collateral.  We are blessed to have charter members Martha Boultinghouse and Bonnie Beckham still at Oakhill.  We appreciate their years of service and faithfulness.  They have touched and continue to touch many lives.

  Women on Mission will meet Monday, May 14th at 6:00 pm at church.  All our ladies are invited to be with us. 

Women on Mission April 2018

The following is a personal testimony given during a morning worship service in the spring, 1971 at Oakhill Baptist Church by Mrs. Wanda Schultz …..

“The building was small but new, it had a good location and I noticed they had taken the trouble to place a few nice shrubs in the front.  When I walked in I had heard so much about this great pastor and this marvelous church.  My first thoughts were:  I had seen finer churches and had heard far greater speakers.  When I sat down my feet got cold on the concrete floor that wasn’t covered and my back got tired sitting in a non-cushioned pew.  I wondered, by what standard had they judged this speaker and building.

I started attending this little church.  For you see, it ceased to be a building.  I found that for me the church was bigger than I had at first noticed.  This church reached far beyond the four walls and I found myself listening to every word the pastor spoke from the pulpit because I found sincerity, Christian love and a real joy coming from his heart.  My feet no longer got cold because the love I had felt from the top of my heard to the tip of my toe overwhelmed me.  The hardness of the pews had been softened by the peace and comfort I had found when Jesus sat down with me because He was a permanent resident in my heart.

I entered a building
and found a church
I sat in a seat
and found a place
I shook a hand
and felt warmth
I looked into a face that smiled
and saw God’s love.

If you don’t get the message yet, let me tell you in simple words that a building means nothing but people mean everything.

I thank God that at one time there was group of people that saw a small church reaching a few for God’s glory.  Now, my desire is to have a larger church reaching “many” because there are many Wanda’s in our community.”

Oakhill will celebrate its 55th Anniversary this October.  Watch this space in the coming months for more Oakhill history.

Women on Mission will meet Monday, April 9th at 6:00 pm at church.  All our ladies are invited to be with us.