our history

Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church was organized on February 1, 1917 in the Alexander community with 24 charter members. In the early church history we read of all night meetings, old timey foot washings,etc.  However, in the early history we can see how God so beautifully worked in people's lives and hearts, just as He still is doing today at Oak Ridge.

Interesting facts of our early church history: 

Church was organized February 1, 1917

Offerings ranged from $5.00 to $10.00.  

The first collection recorded for the pastor was $9.17.

In the early days, times were hard and money was scarce but God supplied all our needs and the community needs also.  We read of supporting orphanages and missionaries.  If someone in the community had a need whether their home burned, there had been a death in the family, or someone was just out of a job and couldn't feed their family, Oak Ridge was there to help by the grace of God.

In the old tin roof building, located where the parking lot is now, a wood stove stood in the middle of the floor.  It has been said that people kicked off their shoes and shouted around it when the sweet spirit of the Lord was felt.  There was no water or plumbing, only an outhouse and baptism was always conducted in nearby Lower Flat Creek.  The new church was built in 1976 with our first service held on June 20, 1976.  The fellowship building was built in 1979 and the parsonage in 1981.  Our current pastor, Larry Sprouse originally joined our church and was set aside and ordained into the ministry by Oak Ridge.  It has been said "We grow  our own"; however Oak Ridge gives all the glory to God for every blessing He has given, especially for our pastor.

Through the years things have changed as far as helping each other and the community.  When a real need occurs, Oak Ridge can be found saying "What can we do?"  Whether praying, delivering food to a family who has lost a loved one, supporting financially, or just being there when needed as in the early days, God gives us grace to meet those needs.

From 1917 until now, Oak Ridge has grown in spirit, number and grace.  Through all of this we can look back and say neither we ourselves nor our forefathers, have done anything except by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who did it all on Calvary, and only through Him can we see Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church for what it is today.

Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church has been known through the years for its firm stand on the Word of God and for preserving Family Values in Western North Carolina.  Some of the supported events have included the Family Values March in downtown, Asheville, NC in 1992,  the "We Still Pray" rally in 1996 at AC Reynolds High School and other Tradition Family Values events. We believe in taking the Gospel outside the four walls of the church house and spreading it far and wide.  Our ministries include local and worldwide missions.  Our church broadcasts the messages of Pastor Larry Sprouse on The King's Radio Network, WKJV AM 1380 in Asheville, NC and around the world at www.wkjv.com.  We also share the Gospel in word and song  24/7 via our church website at www.oakridgembc.com .

As many churches have become blinded by Satan and feel the need to move toward a more modern form of worship with praise bands, dance teams and contemporary and so-called Christian Rock music, we see an even more compelling need to stay with the "Old Time Way" of worship with emphasis placed on Holy Ghost anointed preaching, singing, praying and fellowship.  With a love for sinners and a heart to see the family of God grow abundantly, we're pressing on toward that Heavenly goal.  

"We Still Believe In Old Time Religion"

1917 - J.M. Pickens

1919 - H.P. Roberson

1920 - J.H. Wade

1921 - Carsh Rash

1922 - Perry Sprinkle

1923 - J.M. Pickens

1929 - W.B. Robinson

1931 - W.B. Sprinkle

1934 - S.L. Horton

1935 - Ralph Morgan

1937 - Wade Worley *

1938 - Von C. Fisher

1945 - Kimsey Ball

1950 - Lester Edwards

1952 - Grady Freeman

1952 - Denver Brown

1953 - Weldon Ball

1955 - Luke Griffin

1964 - Alvin Ballard

1968 - Ben Lee Honeycutt

1979 - Claude Surrett

1982 - Dean Hughes

1985 - Claude Surrett *

1986 - James Lee

1987 - Present: Pastor Larry Sprouse

*Noted as supply pastors