Who We Are? – Halsted Road Baptist Church

23 Jul 1958

Rockford, IL

Mission Work

In July 23rd, 1958 the idea of a Northwest Mission was brought before North Park Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church Machesney Park) by Reverend Earl Guth to reach across the river to the west side of Rockford with the Gospel.

1958

Odd Fellows Hall

Meeting

The mission work started with Brother Daniel Preston and two summer missionaries from the Home Mission Board (NAMB). The first Sunday meeting had 20 for Sunday School and 27 in worship.

1959

Odd Fellows Hall

Meeting

1959 Constituted

1961

New Location

Searls Ave

A ranch style house on Searles Street was purchased and found to be suitable for both worship and Sunday school programs. In a search for space the church rented the small house next door.

02 Jul 1968

Parsonage

New House

in July 1968 the church purchased the neighboring house and Pastor Bridges and his wife Dorothy took up residency there.

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Halsted Road Baptist Church Timeline

2017

January 22

Pastor Jeremiah and Tancy Griffin

In 2016 God brought Pastor Jeremiah and his wife Tancy Griffin to our church. Pastor Jeremiah accepted the interim position and began to preach regularly in the church. In January 2017, Pastor Jeremiah accepted the call to be Pastor of Halsted Road Baptist church and continues to be it’s pastor to this day.

2014

June 22

Pastor K Ross Newland

Pastor Keith Ross Newland was a minister within the church and with the exit of Pastor DeMond stepped into the gap to lead. Pastor Ross took care of the building maintenance and planted the flowers in the front beds of the church. Pastor Ross was a flamboyant well dressed bachelor and loved to pray, preach and fellowship. Pastor Ross resigned the church in July of 2016 and took a missions pastorate in Atlanta Georgia.

2002

October 22

Pastor Jerry DeMond

Pastor Jerry and Pat DeMond were called to be pastor in October 2002. Splitting from a Church of God background, Pastor Jerry held the Baptist belief of Eternal Security of the Believer. Pastor Jerry’s exodus from the Church of God brought other members to be baptized and receive membership at the church. Pastor Jerry left in 2014.

1999

July 22

Pastor Elmer and Bonnie Woodruff

“Woody” was a tri-vocational pastor working at the Church, the Rockford Rescue Mission and teaching at the Lutheran School in downtown Rockford. Pastor Woody had a stroke in 2001 and ended up having to resign the church in December of 2002 because his speech had deteriorated to that point.

1998

June 9

Pastor Tom Yandel

Almost immediately from within the church, God raised up Tom Yandell to the ministry. Pastor Tom was a computer expert and found a way to contact everyone near the church. Not only and address but also a phone number. Pastor Tom called every person on that list! Emphasis switched from Sunday School to Vacation Bible School and until May 1999 when he retired. Pastor Tom called everyone that he could in the city of Rockford to make sure they were invited to church. No one would have an excuse.

1995

April 5

Reverend Ken Finnis

In April 1995 Pastor Ken and his wife Diane came to be the pastor of Halsted Road Baptist. Son of a Southern Baptist Convention church planter, Ken Finnis was ordained at the church. Ken continued to study and found work on his Master’s Degree from Trinity Evangelical Seminary. Pastor Finnis was also bi-vocational and worked for Kinko’s. Pastor Ken resigned the church in 1998 to return to upper New York and take care of his ill father.

1991

April 2

Pastor Mike and Jill King

the 9th pastor of Halsted Road Baptist church, Mike King and his wife Jill came from Baltimore and with the blessing of Brother Clyde began again the ministry of the Word. Jill was an accomplished pianist and filled the church with melodies praising God at every opportunity. Missions became a primary emphasis for the church and Pastor King led the church to pray for missionaries around the world.

1990

January 7

Resignation and fire

Pastor Scott resigned as pastor in January 1990. The parsonage had been struck by lightening and was severely damaged by the fire. Brother Scott was known for his sacrificial living and caring for the people of Rockford, Illinois.

1988

June 1

Mission Director

in June 1988 Gordon Logan became director of missions for Blackhawk Association.

1987

October 15

Pastor Harvey Scott

Pastor Harvey and his wife Marty came to Halsted Road Baptist in October 1987. Pastor Harvey was a recent graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. The focus of the church shifted to Sunday School.

1984

January 1

Pastor Elmore Clyde

In January 1984, pastor Elmore Clyde and his wife came out of retirement to help the work at Halsted Road. Gentle in nature and excellent preaching brought many to Christ and to join with the mission of the church. In 1986 it was apparent that Pastor Clyde would have to retire again. Mary Clyde stayed at the church and nursed Pastor Clyde until he went home to be with the Lord.

1979

December 6

Reverend Russel Miller

Russel Miller came in December 1979 as pastor. Pastor Miller’s name was known as the “visiting pastor” and he majored in evangelism of his own life and teaching other’s to evangelize as well. Pastor Miller, as a bi-vocational pastor, worked as a guard at Rockford Memorial Hospital (now Mercy Health). Pastor Miller’s wife Sherry and their three little children were loved deeply by the congregation. The ministry suffered a blow when Pastor Miller resigned in 1983.

1977

August 22

Pastor Robert “Bob” Garris

Pastor “Bob” came to the church in the fall of 1977 from a church in Kansas City, Missouri. Pastor Bob was musically inclined and lead the association’s choir. Pastor Garris also was employed as an X Ray Technician by Rockford Memorial Hospital (now Mercy Health). Pastor Garris resigned in the summer of 1979.

1975

October 30

Pastor William Ward

Reverend William Ward became the fourth pastor in 1975 following Pastor Dann’s resignation. Pastor Ward remained until the summer of 1977.

1973

September 1

Pastor Paul Dann

Pastor Paul Dann became the third pastor of the church, he served the church until early spring 1975.

Halsted Road Baptist Church

Reach, Teach & Touch People for Godly Transformation

We are a group of Christians that believe that the Gospel changes everything. We are bonded together to build up one another in godly discipleship. To reach, teach and touch people for godly transformation.