HISTORY OF NORTHERN HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH

In late 1972, a small group of people living in the Kearney-Holt area felt led by the Lord to 
begin meeting together for Prayer and Bible Study.  After several months of meeting in homes, 
they felt God's direction in beginning steps to establish a church to meet the spiritual needs 
of the area.  On February 24, 1973, they voted unanimously to extend a call to Rev. Charles 
Draper from Del City, Oklahoma, to be their Pastor.  Rev. Draper accepted the call on 
March 5, 1973.  The group agreed that the church should be called Northern Hills Baptist Church.  
The following week they began to give a percentage of the church's funds to the Clay-Platte 
Baptist Association and to the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The Constitution, Church Covenant, and the Baptist Faith and Message were adopted and the 
organization service of Northern Hills Baptist Church was held on May 30, 1973. The charter 
membership was closed on July 1, 1973, with 29 charter members.  They purchased 5 acres of land 
on Highway 33, halfway between Kearney and Holt and began construction of a building in 
June 1973.  The first services were held in the new building on September 2, without electricity 
or other utilities.  The new building was dedicated on October 7, with F.R. "Dick" Cole of 
First Baptist, Raytown, giving the Dedication Sermon.  By the end of 1973, church membership 
totaled 38, and Sunday School average attendance was 33.

1974 was another productive year.  The first VBS was held, Bus Ministry and Children's Church 
were started; Sunday School average attendance climbed to 58; church membership grew to 50.  
Rev. Draper, feeling the Lord calling him to another church,  resigned effective November 10.

In February, 1975, Rev. Ken Bevel from Torrance, California, became Pastor.  In April, a lot 
was purchased and a parsonage was built.  A sound system was added.  In 1976, the Pastor's Study 
was completed.  On August 29,1976 the new Educational Building was started and completed in 
December.  Sunday School attendance was 96; church membership was 127.  August 14, 1977, was 
Pastor Bevel's last Sunday at Northern Hills.  Rev. Eldon Jones served as interim from 
August 21 until December 25.

In January 1978, Rev. James Wells became Pastor.  A part-time secretary Dotty Johnson, and a 
part-time Music Director Tony Peoples were added to the staff.  In 1979, Rev. Steve Littleton 
was added as part-time Associate Pastor with responsibility for bus Ministry and Children's 
Church.  Sunday School average was 191; church membership, 246.  In 1980, Milt Gabrielse became 
part-time Music Director.

By the end of 1981, many changes had been made.  Rev. Wells was called to another church and 
resigned effective November 29.  Total church membership was 346.

In January, 1982, Rev. Earl McElwee was called as interim Pastor.  In February, 1982, Bro. Milt 
resigned to become Minister of Music at another local church.  In June of 1982 Rev. Richard Hubbard 
became the pastor of our church.  In December of 1982 Philip Wiloughby Jr. Became our minister 
of Youth, and in October of 1983 he resigned to attend Mid-Western Seminary.  In January 1984, 
Jim Campbell became the Minister of Music and Education, and Linda Everett became the church 
secretary/treasurer.  In June of 1984 Bill Cox became the Youth Minister.

In August 1984 Northern Hills voted to build, doubling the existing space and to use the 
Together We build Program in which each member would have the opportunity to help finance and 
be a part of the construction of the new building.  Lanny Rawdon was asked to be building 
designer and contractor.  The TWB program began in January of 1985, and construction began in 
June 1985 and was finished in March 1986.  The Dedication Ceremony was on March 23, 1986 with 
Dr. Gordon Kingsley bringing the Morning Message and Mr. Jeff Jeffrey bringing the Afternoon 
Challenge.

In October 1985, Doug Rawdon was hired as Minister to Children.  In June 1986 Bill Cox resigned 
to become Minister to College & Career at another church.  In November 1986, Jim Campbell was 
called as full time orchestra leader at FBC Raytown.  Dale Blackmon was hired as interim Music 
Director  December 1986.  In April 1989, Derk Markham became Minister of Music and Youth.  

In December 1989, Doug and Rachel Rawdon went on the Mission Field in the country of Costa Rica 
for one year training before going to their permanent field in Argentina, South America.  In 
February 1990, Mr. Jack Brown became Minister of Education and Children. Derk Markham resigned 
in October of 1993 and Jeff Freeman was hired in August of 1994 as Minister of Youth and 
Recreation. Karen Cloutier was hired as part time bookkeeper in July of 1994; Randy Simmons, 
rising out of the laity, was called as part time Minister of Music in 1995.