How it all started...
EASTSIDE'S HISTORY
Everyone likes a poem, especially if it rhymes.
This one is about Eastside's grand and glorious times.
It's all about our history, from 1957 until today.
Roy Jackson was our first. He shared the Good News, showing others the Way.
Harvey was our second, from him we learned a lot.
Then came Wayne Anderson, who succeeded Brother Scott.
In 1966, our future was bright and clear.
Thanks to our elders, they chose for us, Lanier.
Then came Johnny, great in so many ways.
But Harrell replaced Ramsey, and these were the Davidson Days.
Then came the Wallers, we loved both Al and Deen.
They got the biggest welcome that you have ever seen.
The 70's were good too, and glad that we could say,
One of the reasons was Bill Banks had come our way.
Next came Roper, now he was a keeper.
He stayed with us, until he could no longer be a speaker.
Hartman followed Roper, both from the Australia connection.
For these two men, we have very strong affections.
Clay Bryant grew up at Eastside and worked with our youth.
Trent served for several years, and Tanner too.
Now Dodgen and Mussett preach and teach the Word,
Following the leadership of our elders, and most importantly, the Lord.
We are almost 70 years in. What does our future hold?
Will Eastside become stronger yet? How will it unfold?
In the Kingdom of God, there is much more work to do,
Work that God has prepared for me, and for you.
Everyone likes a poem, especially if it rhymes.
This one is about Eastside's grand and glorious times.
It's all about our history, from 1957 until today.
Roy Jackson was our first. He shared the Good News, showing others the Way.
Harvey was our second, from him we learned a lot.
Then came Wayne Anderson, who succeeded Brother Scott.
In 1966, our future was bright and clear.
Thanks to our elders, they chose for us, Lanier.
Then came Johnny, great in so many ways.
But Harrell replaced Ramsey, and these were the Davidson Days.
Then came the Wallers, we loved both Al and Deen.
They got the biggest welcome that you have ever seen.
The 70's were good too, and glad that we could say,
One of the reasons was Bill Banks had come our way.
Next came Roper, now he was a keeper.
He stayed with us, until he could no longer be a speaker.
Hartman followed Roper, both from the Australia connection.
For these two men, we have very strong affections.
Clay Bryant grew up at Eastside and worked with our youth.
Trent served for several years, and Tanner too.
Now Dodgen and Mussett preach and teach the Word,
Following the leadership of our elders, and most importantly, the Lord.
We are almost 70 years in. What does our future hold?
Will Eastside become stronger yet? How will it unfold?
In the Kingdom of God, there is much more work to do,
Work that God has prepared for me, and for you.
IN THE BEGINNING
On a hot and humid July 18, 1957, fifteen or twenty men came together on what was to be the first business meeting for the Eastside Church of Christ. There was no building in which to meet, no men in business suits, but these men came together almost daily, clearing brush and doing whatever they could to establish the Lord's church on this spot. Construction was well on the way of our little frame building which would seat around 200 people. It was looking mighty pretty and the hardwood floors really shined from the varnish. Ed Archer supervised the construction with the help of Elmer Butler and many other volunteer carpenters. Sitting in the middle of ten acres it did look a bit small. Some wondered if it would ever be full or whether all of this ten acres ever would be utilized. After all, we were five or six miles from the heart of the Midwest City down town are and the Tinker Air Force Base traffic and the hustle and bustle seemed to head toward Oklahoma City.
What happened on these ten acres over the next twenty years, no man could talk about without getting very excited. He would have many laughs and shed many tears about the things that have happened at Eastside. Fond memories keep the pen from writing as one stops an day dreams of all the good things that have happened here. Hundreds and hundreds of people have had a part in the Lord's work at Eastside.
On a hot and humid July 18, 1957, fifteen or twenty men came together on what was to be the first business meeting for the Eastside Church of Christ. There was no building in which to meet, no men in business suits, but these men came together almost daily, clearing brush and doing whatever they could to establish the Lord's church on this spot. Construction was well on the way of our little frame building which would seat around 200 people. It was looking mighty pretty and the hardwood floors really shined from the varnish. Ed Archer supervised the construction with the help of Elmer Butler and many other volunteer carpenters. Sitting in the middle of ten acres it did look a bit small. Some wondered if it would ever be full or whether all of this ten acres ever would be utilized. After all, we were five or six miles from the heart of the Midwest City down town are and the Tinker Air Force Base traffic and the hustle and bustle seemed to head toward Oklahoma City.
What happened on these ten acres over the next twenty years, no man could talk about without getting very excited. He would have many laughs and shed many tears about the things that have happened at Eastside. Fond memories keep the pen from writing as one stops an day dreams of all the good things that have happened here. Hundreds and hundreds of people have had a part in the Lord's work at Eastside.
Expanding the vision...
The church that we see has a message so clear that lives are changed forever and potential is fulfilled through the power of His Word.
We see a church so compassionate that people are drawn from impossible situations into a loving and friendly circle of hope, where answers are found and acceptance is given.
We see a people so Kingdom-minded that they will count whatever the cost and pay whatever the price to see revival sweep this land.
The church that we see is a church so committed to raising, training and empowering a leadership generation to reap the harvest that all its ministries are consumed with this goal.
We see a church whose head is Jesus, whose help is the Holy Spirit and whose focus is the Great Commission.
YES, THE CHURCH THAT WE SEE COULD WELL BE THE EASTSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
We see a church so compassionate that people are drawn from impossible situations into a loving and friendly circle of hope, where answers are found and acceptance is given.
We see a people so Kingdom-minded that they will count whatever the cost and pay whatever the price to see revival sweep this land.
The church that we see is a church so committed to raising, training and empowering a leadership generation to reap the harvest that all its ministries are consumed with this goal.
We see a church whose head is Jesus, whose help is the Holy Spirit and whose focus is the Great Commission.
YES, THE CHURCH THAT WE SEE COULD WELL BE THE EASTSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
Where we are headed...
The church that we see is a church growing so quickly that buildings struggle to contain the increase. We see a church whose heartfelt praise and worship touches Heaven and changes earth; exalting Christ with powerful songs of faith and hope. We see a church whose pews are constantly filled with repentant sinners responding to Christ’s call to salvation. Yes, the church that we see is so dependent on the Holy Spirit that nothing will stop it nor stand against it; a church whose people are unified, praying and full of God’s Spirit. We will go wherever God leads us. We will grow into whatever God wants us to be.
