|
God's plan for a Free Will Baptist in Wichita began May 25,1952 as Henry Leichner and Christine Ledbetter were united in marriage in Huntsville, Arkansas. This couple left for Wichita, Kansas and soon found there were no Free Will Baptist churches in Wichita or Kansas at all.
The latter part of 1953, Rev. Jack Ledbetter and Rev. Dave Castell came to the Leichner home to begin work in Wichita. Soon they began to hold services in the basement of the Leichner home at 401 S. Richmond. Then they moved into the home of Rev. Ledbetter's brother-in-law, Homer Stone. Homer built their first pulpit. Services were held there for some time and they then moved to a small building on Fern Street.
Late in 1954, Rev. Ledbetter found a building at 1855 S. Madison. The first rent was $50.00 which was shared by Mr. Davis, Gene Ledbetter and Mrs. Homer Stone.
On October 15,1954 our Church was organized, after a weeks Revival, the Rev. Tom Day and Rev. Cecil Garrison from Springdale, Arkansas conducted the organization. The Church Officers were elected as follows. Pastor, Rev. Jack Ledbetter; Clerk, Christine Leichner; Treasurer, Floy Hartley; Deacons, Henry Leichner, A.V. Ferguson, Bill Shakelford. The Church began with twenty Charter Members: The A.V. Fergusons, The Robert Wards, The James Henleys, The Don Shakelfords, The John James', The Bill Shakelfords, The Arthur Hartleys, The Jack Ledbetters, The H.C. Leichners, Andrew Morrison and Betty Ledbetter. The church was called The Hartley Free Will Baptist.
The Church began to grow and prosper. On October 9,1955, Sister Nadine Ledbetter prayed that the Lord would send in a larger number and move them out of the present building. God answered that prayer and raised attendance to 118. The next time Sister Ledbetter was in church, after the birth of her son Danny Ray, was in the new building at 200 S. St. Clair. The building was purchased on November 28,1955. The Church Charter was received on the same date. God blessed us in the semi-basement building and we hold many precious memories of the miracles witnessed there. On June 12,1959 the name of the church was changed to West Side Free Will Baptist. For eight years God blessed us there. We purchased the Murphy property to the south and the Patton land to the east. Again the Pastor's wife prayed for God to move and this he did. On January 14,1963 we entered into an agreement with the Executive Church Bonds, Inc. to sell $50,000 worth of bonds. On February 25,1963 we began this program. God blessed this and on March 3,1963 we held our Ground Breaking service. On July 28,1963 we moved into our new building and the old church next to it was torn down. We purchased our new church furniture January 6,1964, and the parking lot was completed April 25,1964.
Through the next years God continued to bless. Many souls were saved, our Church grew, and many works began. In 1965 the Church helped make possible the first recording of "The Singing Ledbetters". Today they have recorded over 40 albums, tapes and CD's, the first being "Stroll Over Heaven". This ministry is still going on with younger members of the family joining in. Many souls have been won through this effort.
In 1977 our founding pastor, Rev. Jack Ledbetter began to feel his need to retire. In February of the same year Garry Ledbetter, Jack and Nadine's son, felt his call to preach. Garry was traveling and singing with the "Gospel Messengers". In September 1977 the Church voted to take Garry off the road to assist Rev. Jack. Garry celebrated his ordination and Rev. Jack celebrated his retirement on April 9,1978. Rev. Jack was made Pastor Emeritus and Rev. Garry began to lead. A Children's Church was started in our Fellowship Hall.
Soon the need arose for more space as souls continued to be saved. Property was purchased at 3310 W. Macarthur Rd., first 18 acres bought and paid for, then 5 more acres was purchased, making the 23 we now have. The original plans for our church had 3 phases. Before construction could begin there were a few hurdles. In the early to mid 8o's many churches were struggling and many closed their doors. Financial Institutions were not willing to lend money for new construction. Sister Wanda Ledbetter went looking for and found a lender that was willing to extend us a loan. Our God knows our needs even before we do! A local paving company was in need of fill dirt for a job and asked to purchase dirt from our property. The church sold the dirt for $8,000. which helped to pay for the fencing around the entire property and the backfill around our buildings. The pond was a nice addition, as Rev. Jack always liked the old fashioned baptisms. However, the significance of our pond was yet to come. Before church service could be held in any new building the fire code required that there be a water supply in case of a fire. City water did not run out to the property. It would cost $125,000.00 to have it brought in and that was not an option for our growing church. So the "Pond" was filled and measured and they found there was exactly the amount of water needed to meet fire code requirements. Divers put draft hydrants in the pond. Only God knew how important the sale of that fill dirt would be. Ground breaking for the 'A' building was in 1984, it was completed in 1985 and the dedication was in 1986. There was also a metal building placed on the property that would serve as a Sunday school, Children's church and Fellowship hall. The approximate cost for phase 1 was $350,000.00 and it took about 5 years to pay that debt off. Phase 2 was the main sanctuary that included a balcony that would be added at a later time. Seating would be about 1200 once the balcony was added. But, before construction could begin more changes would need to take place. The water in the pond was no longer enough for 2 buildings. It became necessary to have city water brought over. One year before the main sanctuary was started a private water line running east of the property to Meridian was installed. It was necessary to cut across one corner of Bethal Life's property, costing $1,000. We also purchased a 20' wide section of land from the neighboring farmer so that the line could be put in, that cost for that section was $10,000. It cost $125,000.00 to have a private city line brought in. Ground breaking for the new sanctuary took place in the spring of 1994 and was completed in 1995. The dedication was in April of 1995. The overall cost for phase 2 was approximately $600.000. It took about 4 years to pay it off and once again start adding to our building fund. Phase 3 was our Education wing. Ground breaking for that was in the spring of 1997 and was completed in the spring of 1998. It has one large gathering room and 10 classrooms, a supply room and it's own child friendly restrooms. Approximate costs for phase 3 was $400,000 and was paid in full in about 3 years. Even after our 3 phases were complete we found that we weren't done. God has continued to bless our church and add to our flock. We soon found that our new Sunday school classes and Bible clubs were overflowing and once again needed more space. The 'B' building where our youth met was becoming too small as their numbers were topping 100. After more prayer it was decided that we would add a large multi purpose building to the west end of the property. In 2002 construction began and it was completed in August of 2003. It has a 60 x 90 gymnasium where our youth now meet, a basketball court, a game room, a full service kitchen and 12 more classrooms. God has truly been good to our church!
Our Sunday school classes are led by some of the best teachers. Our Children's church is one of the best you'll find and has been organized by Sandy Vaughn for many years. We are blessed to have Rev. Mark Winters pastoring our Children's church. Our Wednesday night Bible Clubs are awesome with our numbers running around 100+. They are organized by Lynn Stowe, and led by some amazing teachers. Rev. Jerrod and Deidre Vickers lead our youth group, Focus One. Their numbers are also around 100. God has so richly blessed our church with pastors, teachers and leaders that are willing to share His word. Our JOY group meets monthly and is fantastic for our "Just Older Youth". We have several that work with Sonlight Prison Ministry, Buford George, Lloyd Medlam and Marshall Mears to name a few. Rhonda Ledbetter has started an annual women's retreat and seminar "The Zone". The Ledbetter Ladies share some of their time helping with that. There are many exciting things happening for the Lord.
We are thankful for our pastor and his wife, Rev. Garry and Sister Wanda Ledbetter who lead us well. We are thankful to still have the guiding hand of Sister Nadine Ledbetter, one charter Deacon and wife Henry and Christine Leichner, and charter member Betty (Ledbetter) Jameson.
Many wonderful works have gone out from our Church. Doyle & Donna Terry carries His message wherever they go. The Fergusons and the Shakelfords founded the First Free Will Baptist church in Bentonville, Arkansas. Rev. Terry and Sarah Stafford have a work in Topeka, Kansas. Rev. Danny & Rhonda Ledbetter, our minister of music and visitation, are also evangelists Garrying His message as they go. Rev. Zane and Charlotte (Ledbetter) Brooks now pastor First Free Will Baptist Church in Wellington, Kansas. Rev. Jerry and Judy (Ledbetter) Rodgers pastor Graceway Community which is located at 200 S. St. Clair. They purchased the property in 2003 and continue to Garry the message that was started there by Judy's father, Rev. Jack Ledbetter. Glenn and Randy Ledbetter travel across the country sharing His message and song. Rev. Randy Harris pastors Sunrise Freewill Baptist in Emporia, KS. Several other members from our midst help them in that work. Rev. Mike and Dede Leichner pastor The Ark in Maize, KS. Monty Leichner - evangelist. Many others from our midst have been called and continue to serve the Lord in many other ways. Neal Kearns, Marvin Smith, Steve Lindsey, Glen Mork, Russ Hilton, Josh Bush, and Spencer Walker to name a few. Several of our youth have been called to do God's work as well.
The legacy continues...An uneducated man from the hills of Arkansas made a trip to Kansas to work off debts. In the home where he was living, he began preaching to family & friends. He went from basement to basement and, today, because of his obedience and dedication to the Lord this church is standing. Rev. Jack Ledbetter went to be with the Lord on February 24, 1995. He had an uncompromising love for the Lord. There was nothing more important than doing the Lord's work and winning the souls of the lost. His compassion, humility and love of man are a testimony to the life that he led and the way he allowed God to use his life.
Our membership has grown to near 800 now. Numerous others have gone out from us and work in many areas in His service. The Ledbetters still travel throughout this land and continue to tell the "Old Sweet Story". We are still seeing souls saved and we continue to press onward and upward toward the mark.
|
|
