WBC_50th_History_Update - Houston

A SUMMARY OF THE PAST TEN YEARS
2004-2013
2004

Leadership retreat held at Camp Tejas

Conducted fundraising events in support of $750,000 Capital Improvements Campaign,
including Prayer Banquet, Bricks for Walkway, WBC cookbook, and Steve Adell CD

Held Valentine Dessert Theater, Casseroles for Cash and Garage Sale as fundraisers
for youth ministry

Held Spring Break Campout at Huntsville State Park

Dedicated renovated Children’s Building

Kyle Damron became Minister of Worship

Youth participated in Mission: Houston, assisting church members in doing odd jobs
at their homes and at WBC

Add L.I.F.E., a program for church and Sunday School growth, instituted, with meetings for
Sunday School teachers, directors and care group and outreach leaders

Seminary level classes begun at WBC through the B. H. Carroll Theological Institute

Instituted new church office hours

Children’s Ministry Team formed to coordinate communication among the Day School,
After School and Sunday School programs

Held Craft Bazaar to benefit local missions

Instituted the Bonded Brothers ministry for men to commit to pray for and encourage
each other for a three-month period

Becky Brown elected to a second three-year term on the Baptist General Convention
of Texas’s Executive Board
2005

Church voted to secure a $100,000 loan from the Baptist Church Loan Corporation
of Texas to proceed with proposed capital improvements

Held Valentine Dessert Theater, Youth Servant Auction, Piano and Potato luncheon and
Casseroles for Cash as fundraisers for youth ministry

Conducted repairs on church organ

Held Spring Break Campout at McKinney Falls State Park

Began sponsoring two new mission congregations, an Hispanic congregation and
a Russian Messianic congregation

Course on the Reformation, taught by Bob Campbell, conducted for the Summer
Wednesday Nights series

First Sunday Night Events included a presentation on legal matters associated
with incapacitating illness and death

Began videotape ministry to record Sunday morning services

Dr. Bob Campbell retired as pastor

Elected participation in the BGCT’s Intentional Interim Program

Collected clothes and food supplies for three orphanages in Piedras Negras,
Mexico and several members delivered them on a mission trip

Participated in several ways, through Braes Interfaith Ministries and Baptist Men,
in collecting supplies and providing other relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina

Following a series of guest preachers, welcomed Nolan Duck as Interim Pastor
2006

Formed Transition Team of church members to lead in the intentional interim
process; team gathered information from many sources, including meetings and
focus groups of members, and reported to church

Formed Search Committee seeking new pastor, with Steve Adell as Chairman

Held Chili Cook-Off, Valentine’s Dessert Theater, Piano and Potato luncheon,
and Casseroles for Cash as youth fundraisers

Karen Martin resigned as Children’s Minister, and a Children’s Ministry Team of
three church members (Stephanie King, D’Ann Callison and Leanne Isenhower)
formed to serve until the calling of a new minister

Changed Sunday night schedule: each month one Sunday to focus on worship, one
on evangelism, one on education, one on missions and fifth Sundays on fellowship

Held stroke scan screening at WBC

Project begun to bring the playground equipment into compliance
with state standards

Held Spring Break Campout at Inks Lake State Park

Youth participated in a mission trip to Acuna, Mexico to work with a church,
clinic and orphanage in that town

Paul Brown started His Helpers, a group of church members to help out other
members and neighbors with fix-up or repair needs

Changed business meeting schedule to hold some meetings on Sunday mornings
following the worship service

Camp Tejas celebrated its 25th anniversary

Started Oikos service, an interactive, contemporary worship experience
on Tuesday evenings

Church membership took a Spiritual Gifts survey

Held Ministry Fair to help match members’ spiritual gifts to ministry opportunities

Held Bible Study Leadership training, with speakers
from Union Baptist Association

Becky Brown celebrated 25 years of service to WBC

Held a Family Work Day and Picnic to “spruce up” the Children’s Building

Westbury Word began publication on a monthly, rather than every two week, basis

Held Community Thanksgiving service at WBC
2007

Welcomed Jeff Berger as new pastor

Held Valentine Dessert Theater and Piano and Potato luncheon as fundraisers
for youth ministry

Held Spring Break Campout at Lake Livingston State Park

Sanctuary platform re-arranged to remove pulpit, so as to increase space for
musicians, instruments and other platform activities

Held World Religions classes, taught by a Houston Baptist University professor

Held CPR class

Randy Mitchell began service on the Nominating Committee of the
Union Baptist Association

Renovation Committee proposed $650,000 renovation project to repair and
update the sanctuary, including repainting, carpet and upholstery replacement,
upgrade of platform configuration, sound and light improvements, and organ
console replacement
2008

Renovation of church sanctuary accomplished and playground
renovation completed

New Steinway piano purchased with renovation funds

Electronic updates made to include e-invitations for inviting people to church or
activities and events; to allow subscription to e-lists such as “A Word from Jeff”
and “Pray Now” prayer concerns list

Held Valentine Dessert Theater and Piano and Potato luncheon as fundraisers
for youth ministry

Held Spring Break Campout at Martin Dies State Park

Held Taize prayer service

Opening Doors to New Life slogan and logo established for the church

World Religions classes continued

Church voted to amend by-law concerning deacon qualification to read that any
male over 26 years of age who has been a member of WBC at least two years at
time of election is eligible to serve

Donated to Houston Area Baptist Student Ministries

Entered into a service partnership with McNamara Elementary School –
Adopt a School – to provide mentoring, prayer support, office assistance,
teacher appreciation and campus improvement assistance

Began volunteer efforts with Braes Interfaith Resale Shop

Held Organ Dedication Concert to commemorate WBC’s 45th Anniversary,
with Dan Miller as guest organist

Held Thanksgiving Mission Project to make and deliver sack lunches/suppers
to Houston homeless
2009

Participated in Reaching for the Prize, a spiritual formation campaign including
daily devotionals, weekly Bible studies and targeted sermons to help members
determine what God wants to accomplish in their lives and to set goals and plans
to reach that prize

Held Valentine Dessert concert, Garage Sale, and Piano and Potato luncheon as
fundraisers for youth ministry

Welcomed Hope McNeil as Minister to Children

Started Job Opportunities Ministry to assist those looking for work

Began annual Faith in Action Day for members to become involved
in community ministry

Singles assembled in-home care kits for distribution to families of AIDS victims
in Africa

Three defibrillators purchased for church use

Renovation accomplished on youth floor and second floor of the children’s building

Second organ dedication concert held, with Joyce Jones as guest organist

Held Spring Break campout at Stephen F. Austin Park

Don Piper, author of 90 Minutes in Heaven, gave a special evening lecture at WBC

Held a special performance of the A.D. Players, with guests from
McNamara Elementary School

Welcomed Stephen Ray as Minister to Youth

Hosted a special class on identity theft and what to do if one’s identity is stolen

Hosted a seven week Financial Freedom Seminar
2010

Held Valentine’s Dessert Theater, a concert by Stephen Ray, Piano and Potato
luncheon as fundraisers for the youth ministry

New Celebrating Grace hymnals obtained for the church, purchased
by member contributions

Changed office hours to close on Fridays, in an effort to conserve energy
and lower utility bills

Held Spring Break campout

Started a new singles class for ages 25-40

Church made contribution to Haiti disaster relief through Baptist Global Response

Held second annual Faith in Action Day

Facilitated stewardship opportunities by instituting online giving

Steve Adell celebrated 25 years as WBC pianist with an anniversary concert

Started New Members class, taught by Jeff Berger

Concert featuring the Texas Baptist All-State Choir and Band held at WBC to
benefit Gracewood Ministries

Held first “Back to Church” Sunday, encouraging all WBC members to invite
someone to church

Introduced communication cards, to be filled out by all members and visitors
to worship services; first-time visitors turn cards in to the pastor at the end of
service and receive welcome gift of homemade cookies
2011

Held concert by Stephen Ray and Valentine Dessert Theater as fundraisers
for youth ministry

Held Spring Break campout at Lake Livingston State Park

Sponsored campus missionary at University of Houston for the academic year

Provided cookies for the Kairos prison ministry

Held third annual Faith in Action Day

Becky Brown celebrated 30 years of service to WBC

Held fall campout at Brazos Bend State Park

Voted to sponsor the Family of Believers church through the General Convention
of Texas church-starting program, for a period of three years

Began the Baby Bottle project, filling baby bottles with pocket change to be used
to obtain medical testing and care for clients of the Women’s Pregnancy Center
2012

Conducted the “Radical Experiment” whereby members were encouraged
for the year to (1) read through the entire Bible, (2) pray for the entire world,
(3) commit their lives to a multiplying community, (4) sacrifice money for a
specific purpose, and (5) give time to ministering in another context

Held Missions Fair to explore mission opportunities

Held concert by Stephen Ray, Valentine Dessert Theater, Variety Show
and Lunch as fundraisers for youth ministry

Held six-week class on Spiritual Parenting

Held Spring Break campout

Held Yellow Cap Training, Baptist Men’s orientation to its disaster
relief ministry, at WBC

Started a new homebound ministry, Cancer Care

Held fourth annual Faith in Action Day

Held fall campout at Stephen F. Austin Park

Held stroke scan screening at WBC

Started new Sunday School class for young single adults past the college and
early career stage of life

Completed repair and restriping of church parking lots

Provided cookies, decorated bags and placemats for the Kairos prison ministry

Held school supply drive for McNamara Elementary School
2013

Held concert by Stephen Ray and Valentine Dessert Theater as fundraisers
for youth ministry

Held Spring Break campout at Goliad State Park

Former middle school and single adult minister Candy Smith was guest speaker
at the Ladies’ spring retreat at Camp Tejas

Formed Westbury 20/20, a group of members tasked with evaluating WBC’s
ministry and proposing ways the church can be more effective in future

Held special book study class on Fear to Freedom: What If You Did Not
Have To Be So Afraid?

Participated in the citywide Loving Houston effort, engaging in service
projects to benefit citizens in need; WBC efforts focused in the Sunnyside
and Greater 3rd Ward neighborhoods

Held fifth annual Faith in Action Day
Westbury Baptist Church
FIFTY YEARS OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE
Sunday, November 3, 1963, officially marks the date when the Westbury Mission became a
fully constituted church of the Southern Baptist Convention with a charter membership of 653.
Events leading up to this momentous occasion began to unfold in 1955 with the start of housing
development in the Westbury tract, along with the almost simultaneous formation of the Maplewood Corporation. By 1957 it had become apparent to Dr. Ross Dillon of the Union Baptist
Association that within a short time there would be a need for a mission in the rapidly expanding
area. In late 1958 Shelby Oringderff was given the mission assignment, and several months later
Rice Temple – headed by Pastor J. Vernon Wheeless – was accepted as the mother church for this
project. The first service was held at Parker Elementary School on Sunday, June 21, 1959, with
six in attendance. By late fall the Westbury Chapel was operating on a full Sunday schedule and
had elected its first church officers. In early 1960 Oringderff, realizing that he had accomplished
his task of getting the mission started, resigned as pastor.
Almost immediately the mission reached an agreement with Rev. Ralph H. Tharp, a recently
retired minister, to serve for a one-year period starting March 1, 1960. By mid-year the mission
had become self-supporting, but the rapid growth was more than Rice Temple could manage.
After establishing a clear understanding of long-range goals from the church membership, River
Oaks Baptist Church took over sponsorship of the mission in December 1960.
The church property was purchased in June 1961 from Rampart, Inc., two months before
Hoyt D. Greer became the mission’s pastor. Over the next three and one-half years, Greer did a
yeoman’s job of guiding a flock of less than 200 worshipers, operating out of a trailer and meeting
in a grammar school (with an interim move to Westbury High School), into a congregation of nearly
1,200 with two building projects completed – a sanctuary plus the first phase of the education
building – and its first mission project (Brentwood Baptist Church) well under way.
For the next seven years (1965-1972), Westbury’s maturing congregation was directed by a
youthful and energetic servant of God, A. W. (Bill) McGregor. Under his leadership, new,
innovative programs were started, the education building was expanded, an activities building was
completed, and some much needed renovations to the first two units were made in an effort to serve
the growing needs of both the community and a congregation that now exceeded 1,900 members.
Dr. Milton Cunningham became Westbury’s pastor in early 1973; over the next 17 years of
unprecedented growth and economic reversals in a rapidly changing neighborhood, he provided the
kind of leadership that was both visionary and action oriented. The new sanctuary was dedicated
in 1978, followed by an extensive remodeling project to convert the old sanctuary for use as a
children’s building. Camp Tejas was purchased in 1980, and the family life center became a reality
in 1984. Throughout this period, Westbury’s theme of “reaching our world for Christ – one person
at a time” was not only manifested by the ministry to its own congregation, but also in its outreach
zeal with the mothering of three new churches (Willowridge, Townwest and West Oaks), the start
of four foreign in-house congregations (Arabic, Chinese, Hispanic and Cambodian), and the
sponsorship of an extensive mission project in the state of Morelos, Mexico.
Dr. Robert G. Campbell (Bob) accepted the call to begin serving as Westbury’s pastor,
effective January 1, 1991. He and his wife, Judy, moved to Houston from Garland where Bob had
served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church for 10 years. Dr. Campbell instituted many changes to
increase involvement of groups and individual church members in existing and new ministerial
opportunities, to improve maintenance of the physical facilities, to streamline financial and
administrative functions, and to expand outreach programs. During Dr. Campbell’s tenure we
added an early morning worship service, became a member of Braes Interfaith Ministries to more
effectively minister to benevolence needs, began an evangelism program of Witness Involvement
Now, elected a Denomination Study Committee, began a new Hispanic mission, completed a
$200,000 building repair and renovation program, installed a $30,000 computer system for all staff
members, began an apartment ministry with an after-school program, began a homebound ministry,
sponsored an all-church mission trip to the valley, held World Hunger and World Mission drives to
increase mission offerings, proudly watched the Chinese church build their own facility for worship,
began an in-house professional counseling ministry, conducted a ceremony for renewal of wedding
vows for all married adults who chose to participate, and developed a Texas 2000 outreach program
aimed at reaching every person in Texas with the gospel message by the year 2000. Westbury was
proud to have Dr. Campbell elected to serve for two years as Chairman of the Executive Board of
the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and later as President of the Baptist General Convention
of Texas. The church adopted a purpose statement: (1) worship, caring for God, (2) missions and
evangelism, caring for the lost, (3) fellowship, caring for our membership, and (4) education, caring
for the kingdom’s work. Bob Campbell’s ministry also included a mission trip to Brazil, the
establishment of Iranian and Filipino mission churches, a Bereavement Committee to minister to
families, a church security system, a Care Team ministry for worship service visitors and absentee
members, a Pastor’s Sunday School class, a Braes Interfaith Ministries offering and a food drive,
a quarterly 5th Sunday family night, a Children’s Building renovation, a Capital Improvements
campaign to remodel the sanctuary and the second floors of the Main Building and the Family Life
Center. Worship services changed to include children’s sermons, “blended” style worship music,
youth-led Lord’s Supper, interviews of fathers of newborns, Veterans Day recognition, Memorial
Day recognition, recognition of church volunteers, deacon-led worship service, and Maundy
Thursday services. Dr. Campbell retired from the pastorate in 2005, but continues to remain an
active church member and Sunday School teacher.
Upon Dr. Campbell’s retirement in 2005, and while instituting a search for a new pastor, the
church elected to participate in the Intentional Interim Program of the Center for Congregational
Health and Office of Minister/Church Relations of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. This
program allowed Westbury to examine the desired direction for the church and the type of leader
sought, and to take the time required to find exactly the right pastor for leading Westbury into the
future. During this interim period, the church was ably served by Nolan Duck as Interim Pastor,
assisted by a Transition Team composed of church members.
In September 2007, Westbury welcomed Dr. Jeffrey M. (Jeff) Berger as its new pastor, together
with his family, wife Carrie and children Kayleigh and Will. Jeff grew up in Yoakum, Texas, and
had initially prepared for a career in sports broadcasting before receiving a call to ministry. He
served in several youth minister, interim pastor and pastor positions, and was pastor of the South
Avenue Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas, before accepting the call to Westbury. From the
inception of his ministry, Dr. Berger urged and encouraged the church to become more outwardlyfocused; to become more involved in service and mission activity outside church walls and more
determined to reach southwest Houston for Christ. This was exemplified by adoption of the new
church focus as being an Open Door to New Life: an Open Door to know God through worship;
an Open Door to community through small group Bible study; and an Open door to impact the
world through giving, serving and sharing. He instituted a service partnership with, or adoption
of, a nearby elementary school, McNamara Elementary School, under which program Westbury
members have provided student tutoring and mentoring, prayer support, teacher appreciation
events, and hands-on assistance with office tasks and campus improvement projects. He began
annual Faith in Action Days, where members participate in various mission and service projects in
the Houston area, such as handing out water (and spiritual encouragement) to joggers, visiting and
singing in nursing and retirement homes, assisting in home repairs, and serving food to the homeless.
Most recently, Westbury participated in the citywide Loving Houston ministry days. Dr. Berger
was also instrumental in spearheading increased communication to and among church members and
others, and in utilizing modern technologies to achieve these ends. A regular and faithful blogger
and newsletter article contributor, he oversaw church website improvements allowing subscription
to church information updates and prayer concerns, online giving, and inclusion on Facebook.
A wonderful and appreciated teacher, Dr. Berger conducted several special classes and class series
such as Becoming a Contagious Christian, New Member, and Christian Apologetics. He also led
spiritual growth exercises such as the Reaching for the Prize effort of devotion and study, and the
“Radical Experiment,” which requested commitment by church members for the year 2012 to
(1) read through the entire Bible, (2) pray for the entire world, (3) commit their lives to a multiplying
community, (4) sacrifice money for a specific purpose, and (5) give time to ministering in another
context. In 2013, Dr. Berger spearheaded the Westbury 20/20 exercise, forming a group of members
to evaluate the current ministries of the church and propose ways to make church efforts more
effective in the future. This effort also involved research into demographic information and current
outreach strategies, and included a church-wide survey. The church overwhelmingly approved the
proposals of the 20/20 team, implementation of which will span the next several months and years.
Over the years the music and worship ministry has been led by a succession of talented
individuals, ably assisted by gifted church members and part-time staff musicians. During the
tenure of Randall Bardin (1988-1998) a more “blended” style of worship began to be introduced,
with contemporary and traditional elements included in the service. This style was carried forward
into the tenures of Tony DeSoto (2000-2003) and Kyle Damron (2004-present). Under Tony
DeSoto, an in-house orchestra and a jazz group were added to the church music program, and these
groups continue to add to the worship experience today. In his service to the church, Kyle has
brought an emphasis on musical excellence and careful development of order of worship to enhance
the praise experience. He has also established ensemble groups, revived the hand bell program,
developed the annual piano and potato luncheon and concert, established annual youth choir trips
with youth doing mission work during the day and singing in concerts at night, added the children’s
and youth choirs as a frequent part of Sunday morning worship, and instituted the Hanging of the
Green Christmas service, which quickly became a favorite holiday tradition for church members.
Sunday School classes and Bible study groups for adults have remained a core element of
Westbury over the years. Blessed with many gifted lay teachers, Sunday School classes have
provided an enriching environment for Bible study, for fellowship with and ministry to class
members, and opportunities for mission and other activities. Such activities have included a Walk
Through the Bible seminar, Ladies Night Out, Men’s Night Out at the ballpark, 4th of July picnic,
Angel Tree Prison Ministry for children, Heart to Hand Bible study, Operation Christmas Child/
Samaritan’s Purse, cookies for the prison ministry, boxes of toiletry items for the Open Door
Mission, back to school prayer day, MASH/SMASH events, marriage enrichment seminars,
Journey to Jerusalem, Slam Dunk Sundays and Neighborhood Blitz.
Since its beginning under Milton Cunningham and Candy Smith, the single adult ministry has
provided singles the opportunity to fellowship and serve within the larger church context. Over the
years, single adults have participated in a variety of mission activities, team sports, and even a trip
to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. Most recently, under the tenure of Gale Yandell (2003-2011)
as coordinator, and to the present day, single adults have, among other activities, annually filled
Easter bags for Children’s Protective Services, provided and delivered gifts to children with a
parent in prison, contributed rice to feed hungry children in Mexico, assembled in-home care kits for
families of AIDS victims in Africa and provided supplies and services to the Gracewood residential
facility for mothers and families. Fellowships have included Fifth Sunday breakfasts, game nights,
shrimp boils, swimming parties, Valentine’s Day luncheons, class Christmas parties, and a trip to
Kemah. Single Adult Day has recognized the contributions that single adults make to the church
in their service on many church committees and in other church-wide ministries and programs.
The youth ministry has developed into a vital and dynamic avenue of fellowship and service
for the students in the church. Under Brandon Webb’s leadership (2002-2008), a youth student
council to plan events was formed, and a number of annual activities and fundraising events
were instituted – Valentine Dessert Theater, car washes, casseroles for cash, chili cook-offs and
garage sales. Disciple Now has been a spiritual high for students each year. Youth-led worship
services – with student participation in drama, singing, instrumental music and offering collection –
have been a positive experience. These activities have been continued and revitalized under the
leadership of Stephen Ray (2009-present), who also lends his impressive musical talents to
youth fundraising efforts.
The children’s ministry has been a mainstay of the church and has been led by a number of
compassionate and capable ladies over the years. Integral to the children’s ministry efforts are
Bible drill competitions, mission organizations (mission friends, GAs, RAs), children’s camp,
Vacation Bible School, the annual Easter egg hunt, Christmas breakfasts, and parental dedication
services. Karen Martin (2000-2006) led the church in the first annual Children’s Day. Under the
current leadership of Hope McNeil (2009 -present), the children’s ministry continues to be strong.
Hope brings a talent for efficiency and organization to the ministry which is conducive to continued
strength and development of this ministry.
The recreation ministry has been under the capable leadership of Randy Mitchell since 1983.
The after-school and day-camp programs have ministered to the community and have brought new
families into our church. In 2002, the responsibility for the after-school program was placed into
the Weekday Ministries program. Day camp activities have included swimming, bowling, basketball, archery, soccer, softball, badminton, kickball, crafts, BB guns, and – of course – Bible studies.
Scrapbooking, craft classes, and ceramics classes have provided ladies with recreational activity.
The fall carnival has continued to be a community outreach event. The senior adult ministry has
had an active monthly Bible study and has also enjoyed day trips and tours to a number of attractions.
Crafts, sports, camping (family, father/son, father/daughter), aerobics and other activities have met
needs of all ages of church members and nonmembers. In 2013, Randy completed thirty years as a
minister at Westbury.
Over the years Westbury has been very active in fostering and supporting various international
mission congregations. Currently, the following mission congregations regularly meet at Westbury
Baptist Church: Cambodian, Filipino, Hispanic, Iranian, and Korean. For the past several years
Westbury has held an annual International Day where the church and its mission congregations
worship together on Sunday morning. These days have also featured cross-cultural sharing events
and meals.
In early 2013, Dr. Berger formed a team of dedicated church members to evaluate the current
ministries of the church and propose ways to facilitate growth and make church outreach efforts
more effective in the future. This exercise was titled Westbury 20/20, as it was an effort to see
the church with more precise, i.e., 20/20, vision and also to look to the future of the church ,
in 2020 and beyond.
The members of the Westbury 20/20 team were: Daniel Adell, Paul Brown, David Callison,
Carrie Chaffin, Troy Conner, Johnnie May Comeaux, Beryl Davis, Jerry Decker, Dane Isenhower,
Steve Moore and Charla Stuart. After intensive research, study, discussion and debate, the team
came forward to the church with eight proposals, as follows:

Start a new style worship service in addition to our current worship service.
8:30 Traditional Worship
9:45 Bible Study
11:00 Contemporary Worship

Start small groups in addition to our current Sunday morning Bible study,
to meet outside the church in members’ homes and neighborhoods.

Establish a designated fund to raise money for the purchase of
1) a new church sign with a digital display and
2) media screens for the sanctuary.

Increase the amount of funds we spend on ministry beyond our church.

Station greeters outside the building before and during the early part of
each worship service.

Consult with professionals who will evaluate and propose ways for us to
better reach people through internet, social media, and mobile devices.

Encourage every Bible Study class and small group to do an external
ministry project once per quarter.

Take an all-church mission trip sometime in the next three years.
On August 18, 2013, the church voted overwhelmingly to approve all eight proposals.
Implementation of these plans will span the next several months and years.
Westbury Baptist Church
LONG-TERM OR ONGOING MINISTRIES/ACTIVITIES

Leadership/Deacon retreat to plan service and ministry for the year

Parental dedication for families with new babies

Blood Drive

Discipleship Training

Disciple Now for youth

Benevolence ministry through Braes Interfaith Ministries

International Day events with mission congregation churches

Worship services led by deacons, youth, singles and children

Marriage enrichment conferences

Summer camps for youth, children and preteens

Prayer Banquet and seminar

Singles’ preparation of Easter bags for CPS children

Children’s Easter egg hunts

Maundy Thursday observances

Ladies Spring Retreat

Youth fundraising – e.g., car washes, chili cook-offs, casseroles for cash, garage sales

Youth activities, e.g. Super Bowl parties, lock-ins, Wednesday Night Live, conferences and
mission trips

Children’s Bible Drill competition

Prime Timers and XYZ ministries for senior adults

Senior Adult Recognition Day

Heart to Hand daytime Bible study for WBC and neighborhood ladies

Groups for Alcoholics Anonymous, stroke, fibromyalgia, cerebral palsy

Service partnership with McNamara Elementary School

Faith in Action Days

Fall Carnival

World Hunger Offering

Braes Interfaith Offering and Food Drive, Resale Shop and Garden

Graduating seniors recognition

World Missions Banquet and offering

Mission Friends, GAs, RAs

Day School, Mother’s Day Out, Playcation, After School, Summer Day Camp programs

Music programs for children, youth and adults, including choirs, church orchestra and jazz group

All-church campouts, father/daughter campouts, father/son campouts

Drama Ministry

Aerobics, kickboxing, First Place, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, ceramics classes
and get-togethers

Back-to-School prayer morning

National Day of Prayer breakfast

Operation Christmas Child/Samaritan’s Purse

Preparation and sending of holiday boxes for military personnel

Ladies’ and Parents’ Nights Out

Secret Sisters Prayer Ministry

Community church basketball league

GA Father/Daughter Banquet

Vacation Bible School

Homebound and Cancer Care Ministries

Care Team – outreach for worship service and absentee members

New homeowner bags, with chips and salsa, for distribution to new neighbors

Bags for handing out to homeless

In-house benevolence program, with benevolence offering following Lord’s Supper

His Helpers ministry offering assistance to church seniors, singles and others for home repairs

Fill the baby bottle for Women’s Pregnancy Center

Children’s/Preschool Christmas Breakfast

Tape Ministry

Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day recognitions

Flu shots

Bereavement Committee ministry to families

Special Christmas events: Hanging of the Green, Children’s Christmas Program,
Sanctuary Choir Concert, Christmas Eve candlelight service
TENURE OF WESTBURY BAPTIST CHURCH CALLED STAFF
Pastors:
Hoyt D. Greer
A. W. McGregor
Milton E. Cunningham
Robert G. Campbell
Jeffrey M. Berger
Associate Pastors:
1961-1965
1965-1972
1973-1989
1991-2005
2007-
Administration:
Fred Himstedt
Will Beal
Ray Scroggins
Ralph Lee, Jr.
J. C. Hatfield
1965-1967
1968-1972
1973-1984
1985-1986
1987-1990
Children:
Ruth Conner
Joyce Trigger
Nancy Estes
Karen Martin
Hope McNeil
1975-1981
1987-1995
Music/Worship:
Ron Lowry
Tom Mosley
Dave Campbell
Hart Morris
Donn Wisdom
Randall Bardin
Tony DeSoto
Kyle Damron
1963-1968
1968-1971
1972-1973
1973-1984
1985-1987
1988-1998
2000-2003
2004-
Single Adults:
1976-1989
1980-1983
1991-1999
2000-2006
2009-
Middle School:
Candy Smith
Bert Mattingley
Dick Stafford
Candy Smith
Lisa Matheny
1985-1991
1991-1995
Married Adults:
Will Beal
Ray Scroggins
Dick Stafford
1968-1972
1973-1980
1980-1995
1982-1985
Adults:
Youth:
Jim Bell
Jim Needham
John Redfern
Ken Merritt
Steve Wilson
Terry Henderson
Bob Mayfield
Anthony Breed
Mike Satterfield
Brandon Webb
Stephen Ray
David Huebner
1968-1969
1969-1971
1973-1974
1977-1981
1981-1986
1986-1987
1987-1989
1989-1996
1997-2002
2002-2008
2009-
1996-1999
Recreation:
Dean Finch
Randy Mitchell
1975-1982
1983-
Evangelism:
Wade Liberator
1981-1983
CURRENT WESTBURY BAPTIST CHURCH
ADMINISTRATIVE AND OFFICE STAFF
Executive Administrator: Becky Brown
Director of Weekday Ministries: Geneva Melo
Print Shop Coordinator: Diana Weiss
Financial Assistant: Dina Colburn
Recreation/Family Life Center Assistant: Krystel Venzant
Youth/Children’s Ministry Assistant: Sam Waltemeyer
Bookkeeper: Vicki Vrazel
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant: Shirley Cleveland
Westbury Baptist Church
PASTORS
Hoyt Greer
1961-1965
Led services in Parker Elementary and then Westbury High School
Bought the land our church occupies
Built the first building of our current facilities (today’s Children’s Building, Bldg A)
Placed emphasis on setting up financial and office procedures
Began Sunbeams and GAs and RAs
Began visitation twice a week
Organized a choir and bought first songbooks
Started a newsletter
Hired the first church secretary
Selected first deacons
Built second building of our church (today’s Main Building, Bldg C, with library and offices)
Began Brentwood Mission
Grew from 200 to 1200 worshippers
A. W. McGregor
1965-1972
Began two Sunday Schools
Began a benevolence storehouse to collect food and clothing for needy families
Sponsored 9 choirs of young people who toured and sang at competitions and associations
Started Youth Week
Brentwood had groundbreaking for a church building
Built a gym; basketball team won league championship
Sponsored a mission trip to Central America
Weekday Preschool and Mother’s Day Out began
First pictorial directory was published
Put financial and membership records on a computer service
Membership reached 1900
Conducted 24 backyard Bible schools
Began bus ministry
Milton Cunningham
1973-1989
Began Single Adult program
Began taping worship services
Handbell choirs began
Conducted mission trips to the Valley and began a mission in Morales, Mexico;
sponsored summer missionaries
Built our current sanctuary
Sponsored first refugee program for Vietnamese
Began cradle roll for new babies
Began drama ministry and puppet ministry
Sponsored second mission – Mission Bend Mission (later became a church)
First deacon-led Lord’s Supper was held
Began sponsoring camps at Camp Tejas
Tore down old gym and built Family Life Center
Chinese, Hispanic, Cambodian missions began
Bought first in-house computer system
Robert Campbell
1991-2005
Began videotape ministry
Led WBC to become member of Braes Interfaith Ministries
Sponsored youth and all-church mission trips to Boston, to Navajo children in New Mexico,
to the Valley, to Corpus Christi, and to Brazil
Began evangelism program of Witness Involvement Now
Elected a Denomination Study Committee
Started a new Hispanic mission (the second Hispanic mission for WBC)
Completed a church-wide building repair and renovation program
Installed computer system for all staff members
Began apartment ministry (with after-school program)
Started Iranian and Filipino mission churches
Began homebound ministry
Began World Hunger and World Missions drives
Supported Chinese Church’s move into their own new church facilities
Began in-house counseling ministry with licensed professional counselor
Developed Texas 2000 outreach program
Developed procedure for benevolence ministry
Laid groundwork to sponsor new Hispanic mission (the third Hispanic mission for WBC)
Installed building security system
Added children’s sermons to worship service
Encouraged “blended” style worship service
Led Children’s Building renovation program
Began Capital Improvements campaign to remodel Main Building, Sanctuary, and
2nd floor of Family Life Center
Initiated youth-led Lord’s Supper
Elected to serve as Chairman of the Executive Board, Baptist General Convention of Texas
Developed “First Sunday Nights” – special monthly evening worship services
Began benevolence offering following Lord’s Supper in worship services
Started Pastor’s Sunday School class
Developed church mission statement
Conducted worship service interviews with fathers of newborns
Supported Care Team ministry for worship service visitors and absentee members
Began Braes Interfaith Offering Day and Food Drive
Began Veterans Day recognition in worship
Coordinated establishment and revision of church policies and procedures
Began Memorial Day recognition
Developed recognition of church volunteers
Began quarterly 5th Sunday family nights
Initiated deacon-led worship services
Coordinated annual international worship service with WBC’s mission churches
Conducted Maundy Thursday services – (1) deacon-led, (2) Living Lord’s Supper
Elected to serve as President of the Baptist General Convention of Texas
Established Bereavement Committee ministry to families
Sponsored Add L.I.F.E. plan for church and Sunday School growth
Brought seminary level classes to WBC under agreement with the B.H. Carroll Theological
Institute, and taught courses himself
Jeffrey Berger
2007Taught various classes to membership: Becoming a Contagious Christian,
New Member, Christian Apologetics
Promoted electronic communication strategies by maintaining his own blogspot and
introducing e-subscription to various website lists, and by WBC inclusion on Facebook
Instituted online giving through church website
Began regular monthly article in Westbury Word newsletter
Spearheaded entry into a service partnership with/adoption of McNamara Elementary School for
church members to provide mentoring, prayer support, teacher appreciation and campus assistance
Oversaw completion of renovation of church sanctuary, and youth floor and second floor
children’s building renovation
Coordinated adoption of new church slogan/logo/theme of being an Open Door to New Life
Conducted Reaching for the Prize spiritual formation and growth study and exercise designed to
encourage members to determine what God wants them to accomplish, to develop goals, and to
formulate plans for achieving them
Instituted Faith in Action Days on which WBC members seek to BE the church by participating
in ministry opportunities in the wider community
Introduced communication cards, to be filled out by all members and visitors to worship services,
with the practice of first-time visitors returning cards to him personally and receiving a welcome
gift of homemade cookies
Instituted the “Radical Experiment”, which requested commitment by church members for a year
to (1) read through the entire Bible, (2) pray for the entire world, (3) commit their lives to a
multiplying community, (4) sacrifice money for a specific purpose, and (5) give time to
ministering in another context
Spearheaded the Westbury 20/20 exercise, forming a group of members to evaluate the current
ministries of the church and propose ways to make church efforts more effective in the future;
the proposals of the team were approved by the church and implementation thereof is proceeding.
CHARTER MEMBERS OF WESTBURY BAPTIST CHURCH
Mr. & Mrs. Travis Allison
Mrs. James B. Cody
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Amaden
Mr. & Mrs. Ben A. Appleby
Chaplain & Mrs. Thos. H. Cole and Richard
Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Collins, Skip, Linda and Sherry
Mr. & Mrs. Harold G. Appleby and Pamela
Mr. & Mrs. John P. Collins
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Atchison and Deborah
Mr. & Mrs. Ramond W. Collins and Chip
Mrs. A. B. Atkinson
Mr. & Mrs. Lindsey Collom and Cheryl
Mr. & Mrs. Norman L. Colyer, Norman and
William E.
Mr. & Mrs. Lester F. Bain and Tom
Mr. & Mrs. F. L. Barnes, Donny and Michael
Mr. & Mrs. John Barnett and Jane
Mr. & Mrs. Dorsey Baskin and Dorsey Lee
Mr. Tom Beard
Mr. & Mrs. S. S. Bell, James and Sherry Price
Mr. W. Doyle Betts, Mark and Kenneth
Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Beyers
Mr. & Mrs. James A. Birdwell
Mr. & Mrs. Royce F. Blalock and Roy Edwin
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Bogue and Kenneth
Mrs. H. L. Boothman
Mr. & Mrs. Charles C. Boze, Jr. and Darrell
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Bramlett, Debbie and Jay
Mr. & Mrs. Hubert Branam and Lynn
Ms. Susan Bright
Mr. & Mrs. L. J. Browder
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Hoy L. Bryson and Belinda
Mrs. T. L. Conlon and Beverly
Mr. & Mrs. T. E. Conn and Nancy
Mr. & Mrs. J. R. Conroy, Mike, John, Timothy,
Connie and Kelly
Mrs. Lois Constantine
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Corb, Charles, Jack Jr., Alvin and
Jana
Mr. & Mrs. W. F. Cox and Ginger
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Crawford
Mr. & Mrs. Vester Crocker
Mr. Charles Cunningham
Mr. & Mrs. Joe W. Cunningham
Mr. & Mrs. Lowell K. Davis, Judy and Joyce
Mr. & Mrs. Rollin L. Davis and Debbie
Mr. & Mrs. John L. Deavenport, Jo Nell
and Jane Ann
Mr. & Mrs. R. H. Dees, Leslie Kathryn and
Marianne
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur L. Burnett
Mrs. Freda Deitrich
Mr. & Mrs. Wm. H. Dickerson
Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Burnside
Mrs. Lucille Dillard
Mr. & Mrs. J. R. Burrus
Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Donham
Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert R. Blythewood and Roger
Mr. & Mrs. Clyde O. Dormois
Mr. & Mrs. Jake Caldwell and Nancy
Mr. & Mrs. Lyle E. Dorsey
Mr. & Mrs. John P. Carson and Randy
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Doss and Nancy
Mrs. J. A. Cheatham and Jeanne
Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Drake
Mr. & Mrs. Billy G. Chesser
Mr. & Mrs. Edwin B. Duncan
Mr. & Mrs. O. Glen Eaton
Mrs. E. E. Burks
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Chrisp
Mr. & Mrs. V. D. Chrisp
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn E. Chritton, Theron and Laura
Beth
Mrs. Cecile Fife Eubanks
Mr. & Mrs. James V. Clift and Paula Gene
Mr. & Mrs. Louis D. Evans, Jr. and Louis D. III
Mr. & Mrs. John Eskridge
Mr. & Mrs. James Evans and Randy
Mr. & Mrs. T. C. Ficken
Mr. & Mrs. W. M. Higgins, Linda and Sandra
Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Fife
Mr. & Mrs. Hilton Hilliard, Kathleen and Russell
Mr. & Mrs. Richard F. Floyd
Mrs. V. J. Hilsher
Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Forbes and Alan
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Holcomb
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Fountain
Mrs. Virginia Holcomb and Karolyn
Mr. & Mrs. Louis C. Fragapane
Mrs. Jack Hollis, Donna Sue, Tommy and Carol
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Francis
Mr. & Mrs. G. A. Isaacks
Mr. & Mrs. Wm. L. Fretwell
Mr. & Mrs. Ben C. Jackson
Mr. & Mrs. W. W. Friesen and Bobby
Mr. & Mrs. Shard Jacoby
Mr. & Mrs. L. H. Gabro, Gayla, Alisa and Gary
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Jenkins
Rev. & Mrs. Richard Jennings, Thelma, Ricky and
Bobby
Mr. & Mrs. Maynard C. Galvin
Mr. & Mrs. Carl H. Gamble
Miss Judy Gardiner
Mr. Harry Gibson
Mr. & Mrs. J. P. Gill and Debra
Mr. & Mrs. R. A. Gilmore
Mrs. John Gough, David and Linda
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Graves
Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy R. Gray
Rev. & Mrs. Hoyt D. Greer, Ronnie, Kay and Pam
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Grice
Mr. & Mrs. James O. Griffin, James and Ron
Mr. & Mrs. Max Grigsby
Mr. & Mrs. Leon Grodhaus
Mr. & Mrs. Claude Guinn and Claudia
Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Hagan and Pamela
Miss Patricia and Robert Hagans
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Haralson
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Hardin
Mrs. Leona Hardt
Mrs. Norma Hardy, Linda and James
Mr. & Mrs. Keith Hargrove
Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy N. Harris
Mr. William J. Harris
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Harrod
Mr. & Mrs. Billy Joe Hayes, Billy and Don
Mr. & Mrs. James B. Henry, Judy and Kathy
Mr. & Mrs. Carrol G. Herring
Mr. & Mrs. Ray W. Hester, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Heughan
Mr. & Mrs. Wesley E. Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Russell Jumonville, Kenneth and
Rosemary
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond L. Keith
Mrs. Dora Kenley
Mr. & Mrs. B. J. Kirkpatrick and Randy
Mr. & Mrs. D. O. Kirkland and Sherra
Mr. & Mrs. John T. Kizer, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Garvin Knox
Mr. & Mrs. Louis Laine
Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Law
Rev. & Mrs. C. J. Lawrence and Robert
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Lee and Sharon
Mr. & Mrs. Walter C. Lee
Mr. & Mrs. W. T. Loring, Don and Bob
Mrs. D. A. Love, Linda and Joy
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Lowry
Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Luker and Jackie
Maj. & Mrs. Stewart F. McAdoo, Stewart Jr.
and Kay
Mr. & Mrs. Joe F. McDowell
Mr. & Mrs. John H. McElroy and Bill
Mrs. John B. McGinty
Mr. & Mrs. Louis S. McKnight and Roger
Mrs. Gwen Maddox, Bill and Stephanie Martin
Sandra and Gwendolyn Magee
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Malin, Nancy and Barbara
Mr. Fred Malin, Jr., Darrell and Billy
Mr. & Mrs. Wm. E. Manahan, Jr.
Mrs. Gene Martin
Mr. & Mrs. Bob C. Scull and Caren Ann
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Matthews
Miss Mary Sharpe
Mr. & Mrs. James D. Meador, Lanny and Larry
Mr. & Mrs. David Shepherd and Kaye
Mr. & Mrs. H. E. Meadows, Glen and Billy
Mr. & Mrs. R. P. Shepherd, Janet and Patricia
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur B. Mhoon
Mr. & Mrs. H. T. Miser, Don, Donna, Rebecca and
Bobby
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Shields and David
Mrs. Frank Mitchell and Susan
Mr. & Mrs. A. Doyne Smith, Mike and Pat
Mr. & Mrs. Charles B. Mitchell
Mr. & Mrs. Frank N. Moore and Dee
Mrs. John A. Smith and Gloria
Mr. & Mrs. Max L. Moore
Ms. Martha L. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Morgan and Terry
Mr. & Mrs. Wm. T. Smith, Donna Jean and Billy
Mrs. Lewis Myers
Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Spears
Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph Myers
Mr. & Mrs. Lorn D. Nikkel
Mr. & Mrs. Aubrey L. Spence
Mr. & Mrs. R. A. Spencer
Mr. & Mrs. James C. Niver
Mr. & Mrs. Don W. Stricklin
Mr. & Mrs. John F. Ogletree and Johnny
Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Oliver
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Stringer and Carolyn
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Sipps and Dan
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Smallwood
Mr. & Mrs. Herman Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth M. Page and Pamela
Mr. & Mrs. James L. Sturrock
Mr. & Mrs. Perry L. Sturrock
Mr. & Mrs. Charlie L. Patterson
Mr. & Mrs. L. H. Peacock
Mr. & Mrs. George D. Sullivan
Mr. & Mrs. Rowland W. Persons
Mrs. Grace Taylor
Mrs. Don Phillips
Mrs. Don R. Thomas
Mr. & Mrs. James J. Porter and James Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Posey
Mr. & Mrs. John R. Thomas, Bob and Terrie
Mr. & Mrs. Jacob R. Powell
Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Dean Thompson
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Presley
Mrs. Bessie B. Till
Mr. & Mrs. S. L. Rawls and Dennis
Mrs. F. T. Reames
Mr. Bryan Tillery
Mr. & Mrs. T. A. Revell and Trina
Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Robertson
Dr. & Mrs. Zane Travis
Mr. & Mrs. George H. Troutman, Beverly and
Betty Sue
Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Robinson
Mr. & Mrs. W. L. Tyer, Billy Don and Bobby
Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Roe
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Vaught
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Rogers and Bruce, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. William Venable
Mr. & Mrs. John E. Rowland and Charlsie
George W. Sales and Byron Evans
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Vincent
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Vonderau
Mr. & Mrs. John L. Scherkenbach
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Schinzler, Patricia and
Lawrence Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Warren Walker
Mr. & Mrs. Hollis G. Roberts
Mrs. Max D. Scott and Mindy
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Svertz and Dick
Mr. & Mrs. R. J. Thompson
Mr. & Mrs. Tim Tippitt, Tim, Nina and Helen
Mr. & Mrs. Edgar C. Walton, Jr.
Mrs. A. D. Warren
Mr. & Mrs. O. C. Westbrook
Mr. & Mrs. Wm. L. Whaley and Edith Marie
Mr. & Mrs. J. E. White, Mike, Terry and Adrienne
Ms. Barbara Whitfield
Mr. & Mrs. R. D. Whitworth, Dawn and Dianne
Mr. & Mrs. Wm. D. Wiley
Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Williams
Ms. Linda Willis
Mr. & Mrs. David E. Wilson, David Jr. and Steve
Mr. & Mrs. John H. Wilson
Mr. & Mrs. Leroy Wilson and Linda
Mr. & Mrs. W. W. Witt and Mike
Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Wittenburg
Mr. Charles E. Woodring
Mr. & Mrs. John S. Woods
Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Younce, Bobby and Rodney
Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Young
NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS
Mr. Don Allen
Mr. & Mrs. A. L. Burnside and Eddie
Mrs. B. E. (Addie) Blakeney
Mr. Othel Dillard
Mr. & Mrs. Terry Dingler
Rev. & Mrs. James E. Fowler, James E. Jr. and
Rosanne
Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Groth, Hayden and Lou
Mr. & Mrs. Bobby P. Hagans
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald J. Lipscomb
Mr. & Mrs. Don McReynolds
Mr. & Mrs. G. Greer Mogg, Mitchell and Michael
Ms. Patty Ann Riney
Mr. & Mrs. Alton Hodges
Mr. Ronald Laine
Mr. Bill F. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. W. E. Spradley, Dianne and Jana
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry C. Stovall
Mr. & Mrs. John E. Van Meter
Mr. & Mrs. D. B. Yarbrough
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Young
Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Conlon
MEMORIES AND COMMENTS FROM CHURCH MEMBER
F RO M J A C K & M A R IL Y N S H I E LD S Jack and Marilyn Shields began coming to the Westbury Baptist Mission soon after moving
into our home at 5803 Wigton early in 1962. David celebrated his 7th birthday at our new home
on February 22, Sandra was 4 ½, and Robert would be 2 in March. The church was meeting in
Westbury High School and we soon became involved with Marilyn taking a Beginner Department
and Jack helping with moving nursery furniture and other furnishings in and out on Sundays.
Pastor Hoyt Greer lived on our street and he stopped by and visited with the kids and adults as we
sat outside in the evenings. David accepted Christ and joined the church at the school and Pastor
Greer promised him he would be the first to be baptized in the new church building (which he was).
We excitedly watched the church being built on Hillcroft and participated in several workdays
near the finish. We put the communion cup holders in one day and cleaned up the grounds on
others. I was director of the 1st grade S.S. department in the new building and Jack, along with
Tom Matthews and Hilton Hilliard, started the Royal Ambassadors for boys on Wednesday nights,
which was quite successful with 20-25 active boys!
When Dr. Cunningham accepted the call to be pastor, I was working in Mother’s Day Out and
was asked to come to the office. They desperately needed a secretary who could take shorthand
and work 4 weeks for Dr. Cunningham until Bea, the secretary hired for him was available –
Could I please fill in? So I was Dr. Cunningham’s first secretary.
Jack was a deacon and appointed to be very involved with a big fund-raiser dinner and
presentation at the Shamrock Hotel to build our present sanctuary, which everyone agrees is very
lovely. This time though, during construction no one could even peek inside to see what it would
look like. Jack and I promoted ourselves to be teachers in the Junior High Department with Billy
and Janice Jones.
Our daughter, Sandra, and Rex Goodman reserved the church and the pastor for their wedding
on August 23, 1980. But 2 weeks prior to that date, Dr. Cunningham called and told Sandra that he
was going to Africa at that time. She and I both cried, but it turned out OK. Since no one knew
Dr. C. didn’t think it safe to be married on the platform, we had a lovely wedding with all the
beautiful wedding party where everyone could see them! When the girls went to the Bride’s room
to dress for the wedding, we discovered there had been no air-conditioning provided to that room
and it was 102 degrees! The day was saved as the parlor was cleared and the girls dressed in
there in comfort.
The Goodman family children Rex Jr. (Tony), Greg, and Jayme grew up in the church, and
accepted Christ. Tony served in Faluja, Iraq for over a year as a medic and was ministered to by
Laurene Alton and her military armed forces group. Tony was honored in church by Dr. Campbell
upon his return. In 2009 Tony and Kristin were married in the church by Pastor Berger and they
have a beautiful daughter, Lily. He is studying to be a doctor at Texas A&M in College Station.
F RO M C A R O L Y N C R A I G I recently retired from teaching 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School after nine years. I loved the
class and the kids. But now I’m being taught by Bob Campbell!
So many funny things happened in those nine years – it is hard to pick out one thing to write
about. But one discussion sticks out in my brain.
We were talking about sacrifices and what they did in the “olden days”. I told the kids “We
don’t have to make sacrifices to God anymore!”
And this little hand came up and a tiny voice said “Miss Carolyn, is that why they sometimes
call Jesus “The Lamb of God”?” I nearly cried – SHE GOT IT!
F RO M K A Y M C A D OO O G BU R N When I was a teenager at WBC the Barnetts (John and Ruth) were youth leaders. One evening
we had gone out to visit with Ruth and as the people answered the door she was introducing all of
us. She went through all the names (about 4) and ended with “and I am a grandma”. She had just
become a grandmother for the first time. From that day forward the youth called her grandma
all the time.
F RO M M A R T H A W A LK E R C L A R K I have many good memories of Westbury Baptist Church – good preaching, wonderful music,
great friends. My late husband, J. W. Walker and I were members there from 1965 to 1992.
One memory, however, was scary. Several families were asked to sign a note to insure some loans
would be paid. This was in the old sanctuary during one of those times when we had high interest
rates, and big notes to be repaid. On faith, we added our names to the list! We were never asked to
pay anything extra as the debt obligations were made. It was one of the best “investments” we ever
made. It strengthened our faith and led to growth in the church and in the community.
F RO M M A R V IN & R U T H S IM O N S In May of 1965 Marvin’s company transferred him to Houston. We had one weekend to find
a home. With two young sons and a daughter soon to be born we settled in southwest Houston.
Finding a church home with adequate nursery facilities was a priority for us. After visiting several
churches we discovered Westbury Baptist Church one Saturday afternoon while driving down
Hillcroft. There was a yard man mowing the lawn. We stopped and asked him about the church.
He told us the church was without a pastor, but there were some “might fine folks” who went there.
He encouraged us to come and check them out. We visited the following Sunday and quickly
discovered there were some “mighty fine folks” at WBC. After much prayer, on August 1, 1965,
with our two year old son John and six year old son Tommy, we joined WBC. The following
Sunday, August 8, 1965, our daughter Melissa was born. That was also the first Sunday for the
new pastor, Bill McGregor. He visited me in the hospital the following day and told me what a joy
it was for him to be the first fulltime pastor of a new church and have his first visit to a newborn to
welcome into the church nursery. For the next three years we were active members of WBC.
Marvin and I taught third grade boys and girls with W. J. Chaffin. Tommy participated in RA’s
and John was in his first choir as a four year old. As a nine year old, Tommy accepted Christ in
VBS, and Melissa delighted in the love and attention she received from the workers in the nursery.
In the fall of 1968 Bill McGregor encouraged the congregation to visit the Dedication Service
for the new mission church, Brentwood Baptist. We attended and discovered it was less than a ten
minute drive from our home. Even though we loved WBC we felt God calling us to support our
neighborhood church. Therefore, in the fall of 1968 we left Westbury and joined Brentwood.
We continued to be active members of Brentwood until we moved from the area. The pastor,
Dan Caroll, baptized all three of our children.
As the children grew up we continued to support neighborhood churches so that they could attend church with their school friends. After our sons were married and our daughter away at college, Marvin and I felt the need to seek out a church that met our needs. We visited many churches
in southwest Houston including Westbury. I had served several years as a Leader in Bible Study
Fellowship meeting each Thursday at WBC. The pastor, Milton Cunningham, was always present
making us feel welcome. It felt comfortable going back on Sunday for worship. In the fall of 1987
once again Marvin and I joined WBC and found a place of service. We had come full circle and
were home.
Even though our children were never members of Westbury the church helped to give them
their early Christian foundation. Both our sons are in full time Christian service. Tommy, who
accepted Christ in VBS at Westbury, has served churches in Colorado, Alabama, Texas, and is
currently the Associate Pastor of Trinity Baptist in Cardova, Tennessee. John, who sang in his first
choir at Westbury, is the Coordinating Editor of our church hymnal, Celebrating Grace. He has
served churches and taught music in schools and universities in Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee,
Oklahoma, and Georgia. He is currently at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as Associate
Dean, Chair, Ministry and Worship Department, and Professor of Church Music. To God be the
glory for all He has done at and through Westbury Baptist Church.
F RO M L E E R U S H IN G I grew up in Westbury my entire upbringing, and was a messed up young hippie living in
another part of Houston when I became a believer in Jesus on June 6, 1975 just before I turned 19.
I had a non-Christian upbringing and had never read a Bible in my life. I joined three different
denominational churches that summer and wound up settling into Westbury Baptist. I started
visiting regularly with Dr. Cunningham, and cannot imagine where my life would be today if it
weren’t for his godly and wise counsel many times. He got me into Howard Payne University at
the age of 20. I served on the youth and recreation staff of the church during the summer, mowed
the yards for Bea Borders and Neva Nell and Adrian Burke, and in 1980, Dr. C. officiated my
wedding ceremony to a lady he baptized in 1975 (who also had no Christian upbringing). I have
been in touch with Dr. C. my entire adult life, and he just gave me a reference to a new book I am
writing. I attend his annual pastor’s retreat that he coordinates. I spoke with Barbara yesterday,
and am saddened that he is going to be passing away within hours. I rejoice and have been so
privileged to have been a part of the life of a man small in stature, but a giant of a man in every
way in the Lord. I currently pastor a church in the Lake Conroe area.
With gratitude to our History Committee:
David Barron
Allen Berger
Diane Berger
Beverly McDaniel
Karen Peacock
Kelly Senter