Beginning of the Church Ministry
The work with servicemen was carried on until Camp Barkeley closed after the war ended in 1945. People felt that when the camp was closed, the town would just about close down also. It was a time of adjustment in many ways, and the question arose as to whether to continue services since the men were gone. Some of those on the board were only interested in the service center, and when the need was no longer there, they returned to their churches and resigned from the board. However, many of those who had been coming wanted to continue the services. They began to say, "What is the point of going somewhere else to church? Why not have church services here?" Joe was not eager to do this because by then he had several established classes taking much of his time besides the radio programs. However, when it became evident to him that the Lord was leading in that direction, he agreed, and a new era was about to begin for his ministry and for the Victory Service Center.
After the war was over and the ministry to civilians began, the name was changed to "Victory Bible Center" in order to emphasize the type of ministry that it was--teaching the Word of God. Later, the word "Victory" was dropped, and it became known as the "Bible Center." It was known by that name for so many years that it is still referred to by that name by many people.
When this work began, it was slow-growing for several reasons. For one thing, there were not many independent churches in this part of the country. Also, Abilene was very much a denominational town. Most people here were related to the Baptists, Methodists or Churches of Christ, primarily because of the three colleges here. Dr. Temple recalls that in those days when he was a member of the Ministerial Alliance, if people had no church preference, they were never referred to him. Rather, they were divided among the denominations. Added to the fact that they were not familiar with independent works was the fact that Joe was a Yankee, and they just weren't too sure of him!
Since there were few independent works in those days, there were few local Bible scholars available for Bible conferences, which were very popular at that time. To serve these independent churches, a circuit for Bible conference speakers was set up. They came mostly from the east, and they had to come by train or bus. It was a very long way, so they set up the circuit so that they could minister to many churches and be out several weeks before they returned home. Each church contributed to their support and travel expenses.
The Abilene Bible Conference Association operated under a board of six directors who served as trustees for all real property and were responsible to God and the fellowship. Nominations for vacancies of the board were made by Dr. Temple and presented to the board for election.
Abilene Bible Church has always been an independent work, not affiliated with any denomination, but standing for the historic doctrines of the Christian faith (a statement of doctrine and activities follows at the end of this history). The church offers fellowship, not membership, believing that when people are born again, they are added to the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Missionary Ministry
In 1949, some of the men in the congregation became impressed with the need of a missionary support ministry, and a committee was selected to seek out candidates for their support. That first missionary committee was composed of Ray Spaulding, Buck Sheek, Joe Temple, and Bernard Smith. Bernard continues to be treasurer of the Missionary Fund.
The first missionary chosen for support by the Bible Center in 1950 was Chester Throness with the West Indies Mission. He and his wife, Doris, served as missionaries in Haiti for thirty-six years. Chester is now with the Lord. His wife continued the work for some time, but has now retired.
Paul Smith was the second missionary supported by the Bible Center, and in 1953 Cricket's own sister, Sara Edna, was impressed here at the Bible Center for missionary service with Sudan Interior Missions. She and her husband, Clarence Ely, continue to serve as missionaries to Ethiopia. Sara Edna was the first to answer the call to the mission field from this church. Since that time, Hugh Shiveley, Mary Helen Priddy, Kathleen Ray, Bob and Helen Homeyer and Butch Murr have gone out from the fellowship to the mission field.
Early figures on the missionary budget indicate that approximately $300.00 per month was allocated compared to the present budget of $30,000.00 annually. Twenty-five missionaries or missionary organizations are supported at the present time.
In addition to being treasurer of the Mission Fund, Bernard Smith was one of the first to serve as song leader for the church. He recalls that Hugh Shively and his wife, Eloise, were in the fellowship of the Bible Center around 1955. Hugh served as associate pastor before going with Sudan Interior Missions. While here, Hugh played the piano for the services and Bernard led the singing since, as Bernard puts it, "There was no one else to do it." Bernard served in that capacity from 1947 until 1984, at which time he asked to be relieved of the responsibility since he and his wife, Becky, were planning to begin traveling frequently. At that time, Jim Stanley came to us as music and youth director and assistant pastor. | |
Abilene Bible Church
3125 Oldham Lane
Abilene, Texas 79602
325-677-8653
(at Loop 322 & Potosi Road Exit)
Sunday School 9:30 AM*
Worship Service 10:35 AM*
Children's Church 11:15 AM
Church Office Hours 9 AM
to 5 PM
*Nursery is provided for
these times.
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