History Of Sonlight Baptist Church

Sonlight Baptist Church was organized September 5, 1965 under a tent in the yard of Brother Claude Sorrow.  21 people joined as members to constitute the church.  Brother James Brock served as mediator.  Rev. Ernest Palmer was called as Pastor.

The church then moved into the old Coile’s Grove church building for the winter.  In the spring of 1966 10 acres of land were purchased and the auditorium with two small wings extending off each side was built.  The church was later bricked and the wings expanded to their present size. 

Pastor Palmer served the church faithfully for 21 years.  In the fall of 1986 he retired because of health problems.  He was unanimously named as Pastor Emeritus of Sonlight.  In the spring of 1987 the church called Rev. Billy Driskell as Pastor.

Pastor Driskell began a building program and soon a new 5000 square foot sanctuary and 5000 square foot basement were underway. Before the new building was complete, Bro. Driskell felt the Lord calling him to another church.  He resigned in June, 1991.  In July 1991, the church called Dan Corbett (who was already attending Sonlight) as Pastor.  We moved into the new sanctuary at the end of 1991

Pastor Corbett resigned in June, 2003.  Sonlight was without a Pastor for over a year but was blessed by having many great men of God willing to fill the pulpit until the Pastoral Search Committee asked Jim Peterson to candidate.  The church unanimously elected Bro. Peterson.  Bro. Peterson began as Pastor of Sonlight on August 1, 2004.

Pastor Peterson resigned in February, 2011. A Pastoral Search Committee began work immediately. Sonlight was again blessed by having many great men of God fill the pulpit. Almost three months to the day that the Pastoral Search Committee began their work, the church elected Bro. Joe Davis as the new Pastor. Bro. Davis began as Pastor on May 29, 2011.

The history of Sonlight Baptist Church would not be complete without mentioning Preacher Ray Jenkins and his wife Joyce. From the beginning of Sonlight, Ray and Joyce have been a constant, loving presence and friend to Sonlight. Bro. Ray filled the pulpit countless times when we were without a Pastor. He offered us much prayer, counsel, and encouragement as well as the Word of God when it was needed most. Ray and Joyce Jenkins are truly an important part of the history of Sonlight Baptist Church.

The name Sonlight:  The Son of God is the light of the world!

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