EVANSVILLE
BAPTIST CHURCH
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
That message greets members and visitors every time they enter the front doors of Evansville Baptist Church and not just because that Bible verse happens to be painted on a wall in big, black letters in the foyer.
The verse has become a mantra for the church and it's probably the main reason Evansville Baptist has celebrated 175+ years.
"This church is filled with people who have a love for each other and a love for missions," said Dr. Albert Wilkerson, who is currently the pastor. "The spirit of this church has always been strong and faithful."
Located just over 15 miles west of Coldwater near Arkabutla, Evansville currently has 450 to 500 members on its roll. That's definitely a figure to be proud of but there's another number that former longtime church clerk loves to talk about.
"We have had a lot of good things come out of this church and the Lord is really working through our current pastor," Baker said. "We have had around 10 pastors come out of this church over the years. Mission work has always been important to our congregation.
No one knows that better than Baker whose grandson Levi Lance, a Senatobia native, is currently serving with the International Mission Board. Lance and his wife Lindsey have been overseas doing church planning in the area. The Lance's have 5 children now.
Evansville Baptist holds a special place in Lance's heart. It was the church he grew up in and attended with his parents Bobby and Nancy.
"Evansville is filled with my family members and people who really love the Lord," Lance said. "It's just a bunch of good local folks who want to serve the Lord and make a difference in their community. I love that place because God has been doing a great work in that community for a long time."
Baker firmly believes that a church is built and maintained through its youth. Maybe that's the reason Evansville Baptist has endured for 175+ years. The church currently sends out several vans to pick up kids and bring them to church.
"We've got to get those kids here," Baker said. "We have over 100 youth that attend services on Wednesday nights. The youth is our tomorrow."
Baker served as clerk at Evansville Baptist for over 30 years before retiring. She has attended church at Evansville with her husband Ralph for 60+ years.
Baker's mission continues to be to serve Evansville Baptist any chance she gets. From baking cakes and pies for church functions to visiting with sick people in the community, Baker never misses an opportunity to help out. We also have many others not mentioned that help serve at Evansville Baptist.
Baker was quick to answer when asked what she does since she retired. "I go to church," she replied.
Wilkerson enjoyed a homecoming of sorts when he became pastor at Evansville Baptist in 2014. A Tate County native who was born in Coldwater and graduated from Independence High School, Wilkerson came back to his roots after preaching several years in Columbus, MS.
"I've really just come home," Wilkerson said.
Evansville Baptist was first organized in 1841 when services were held in the community of Savage before they were moved to Sullivan School in the Cottonville community. A majority of the early membership was made up of the Evans family which led to the name "Evansville".
The first church building was erected in 1896 after E. C. Turley donated a piece of land. According to church records, that structure was torn down around 1937 and replaced by another building.
In the early days of the church, discipline was strictly enforced among its congregation. Records state that if a member failed to adhere to the standards of the
church and disregarded its fellowship, he/she would be dropped from the church role.
Deacons were also held to a very high standard. If a deacon failed to carry out his responsibilities, it would result in discharge from the church.
Organizational life is deeply rooted in Evansville Baptist Church and records estimate a Baptist Young People's Union was formed as early as 1919. A Women's Missionary Union (WMU) was stared up in 1933 with Susie Brandon Morris serving as the initial president of the group. The Sunday School program was created in the early days of the church before being re-organized in 1933.
The Turley family name is a prominent one in the history of Evansville Baptist. The land for the cemetery, which sits adjancent to the church, was donated by Peggy Laird, D. K. Turley in 1951.
The church built a fence around the cemetery in 1952. Iron gates with brick pillars, which adorn the entrance to the cemetery, were donated by several members of the Hensley family in 1987.
Two rooms were added to the front of the church and the auditorium was enlarged in 1947. Construction on the building that is currently used today was completed in 1958 and used as the sanctuary until the late 1970's when a new one was built.
The old sanctuary was renovated for a fellowship hall, classrooms and offices. From 2001 to 2004, the building was transformed completely into classrooms and a Meditation Hall of Crosses.
Several renovations and new buildings have been completed since then. The church broke ground on a family life center in 2000 and fully finished the project in 2006.
It's easy to see why Evansville Baptist Church remains so important to the members of its community after 175+ years.
It's easier to see why 2 Corinthians 9:8 is the message the church is trying to deliver to Tate County and the rest of the world.
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Reporter - Brett Brown