Our Origin and History
MBBC was born in the lineage of churches that began with Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago and which continue in the doctrines and practices that distinguished the first church from all other organizations on earth. MBBC is a true new testament church, legitimately organized under the authority of a true new testament church, mission-minded, autonomous in government, independent of man-made conventions, Holy Spirit led, and Baptist by heritage. MBBC shares a heritage with other true new testament churches documented in books such as, The Trail of Blood and A Brief History of the Baptists. In particular, we are an independent (unaffiliated) Baptist church meaning that we are not under the governing influence of a man-made convention, association, or fellowship. For more explanation on church doctrine obtain a copies of the booklets, The Local, Visible Church and Understanding the New Testament Church.
The Rodgers Baptist Church Sends a Missionary to Northwest Arkansas
MBBC had its earliest beginnings in 1970 when the Holy Spirit directed the Rodgers Baptist Church in Garland, Texas to send their missionary Brian Disney to Northwest Arkansas. Bro. Brian and his family moved to a small farm in Farmington, Arkansas August 25, 1970. Taking advantage of an NDEA teaching fellowship at the University of Arkansas, he began teaching conceptual Bible studies to faculty, students and staff at the college. These studies soon came to be known as “Reality Sessions” because of their in-depth look at what the Bible teaches.
The Rodgers Baptist Mission is Established
In 1971, a house located two blocks from the University campus was purchased. The facility was called the “Reality Session House” or “Session House.” It served as the campus center for people interested in learning more about the Bible. On September 7, 1972, the Lord directed the small group of baptized believers to organize as the “Rodgers Baptist Mission.” Under the authority of the Rodgers Baptist Church, it began with three charter members, meeting in the downstairs of the “Session House.” The mission grew quickly, and the upstairs was then used as the main meeting place. Eventually, a larger facility was needed to accommodate the growing mission, and the Lord provided a piece of property located at 600 Mission Boulevard. It was purchased December 1, 1973. The existing old house was remodeled and soon served as the assembly area for the mission. The “Session House” was later sold and a three story house located at 820 W. Maple, across the street from the Plant Science Building was purchased. It is used as a dormitory for students and for activities sponsored by the campus ministry now called the Baptist Collegiate Ministry.
The Rodgers Baptist Mission Becomes Mission Boulevard Baptist Church
The Lord continued to bless the mission and it experienced rapid growth. By 1975, it was again time to move to a larger facility. The members decided to use their own resources and labor to build a new auditorium on the large lot just next to the house. The building was finished on October 27, 1975, just in time to hold the organizational service during which the Rodgers Baptist Mission would become the Mission Boulevard Baptist Church. It was established under the authority of Rodgers Baptist Church in Garland, Texas, and had sixty-five charter members. By 1979, the new facility was approaching overcrowded conditions, and a six acre tract located at 2006 Mission Boulevard was purchased. Construction of an 8,000 square foot assembly building began in August 1980. The facility was built with the labor and resources of the members, and in December 1980 the first services were held in the new building. The building was dedicated on February 27, 1981. An Education Building was built in 1982, and a third building was built in 1984 for the growing Christian school.
Mission Boulevard Baptist Church organizes Missions
MBBC continues the tradition of obedience to the Great Commission to win souls to Christ, to disciple them to follow Christ, to baptize them into Christ’s church, and to teach them how to live in the teachings of Christ. Now, God has added you to MBBC to become a part of our ministry. MBBC reaches out to its local community and supports home and foreign mission projects. Hundreds of souls have been saved, disciples have been trained, nearly a hundred men have been called to preach, and home and foreign missionaries are sponsored by MBBC, and many other missionaries around the world are aided in financial and prayer support.
