Vision 2018
See our annual vision section.
Immanuel Baptist Church in El Dorado is relocating to a 48-acre lot on West Hillsboro Street. The land has been purchased and paid for. Construction is predicted to be finished in September, weather permitting.
The church has owned the land for more than 10 years. It was the previous location for many of the church’s events, including youth recreation events, church fish fry’s and the children’s Easter egg hunts.
“We’ve been talking about the new building being a disciple making factory,” said Senior Pastor Jimmy Meek. “By that we mean where children, students and adults fall madly in love with Jesus and then help other people fall in love with Jesus. That is our goal and vision.”
Currently, the Immanuel Baptist Church is located at 701 S. West Ave. and is for sale. Meek said several businesses and Christian organization have looked at buying the property.
“I would love for it to be a Christian organization, but we are waiting to see what God is going to do with it,” he said.
The final vote to build a new church happened over two years ago. According to the timeline on the church’s website, on March 26, 2016, the first sign was placed on the property, stating “future home of Immanuel Baptist Church.”
The old structures on the property were demolished around Dec. 20, 2016.
“In the meantime, we’re going to keep doing what we do,” Meek said. “Our biblical vision is the same no matter where we are.”
Meek said as the building continues to grow, the church’s excitement will continue to grow. “As it takes shape, I think there will be more excitement in the church and in the community,” he said.
On June 20, 2017, groundwork began, including moving the dirt in to level the ground. By Nov. 15, 2017, the first layer of asphalt pavement was poured for parking lots. The foundation was complete on Jan. 23 and the building started arriving on Jan. 29.
Ideal Construction Company is the contractor building the church. Ideal Construction has expertise in areas of heavy site, concrete, masonry, structural steel, carpentry, hard dollar and construction management, according to their website.
For safety and insurance reason, the church has restricted access to the construction site.
Immanuel Baptist Church’s mission is “making Disciples of Christ and equipping them for the lifelong journey of connecting, growing and serving together in our community and the world.”
The church as a number of different outreach
programs:
Deaf/Hearing Impaired
Immanuel’s Deaf/ Hearing Impaired Ministry is lead by Lou Anne Emrich. The church offers a co-ed allage Sunday School that uses Bible-based video curriculum designed for the deaf. There is also a signed interpretation of their contemporary worship service provided at 10 a.m. on Sundays.
Operation Christmas Child
Through Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, the church does Operation Christmas Child using gift-filled shoeboxes, “to share God’s love in a tangible way with needy children around the world.” According to the church’s website, since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has collected and delivered more than 113 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in over 150 countries through Operation Chirstmas Child.
Immanuel Baptist Church is a collection center for nearby churches and towns to donate the shoeboxes. Last year the church collected over 50,000 shoeboxes. They also host events to raise money for shipping fees.
Salvation Army/ Laundry Love
Members of Immanuel meet at the Salvation Army to serve dinner on the first Thursday of every month. On the fourth tuesday of every month, the church washes clothes at Doe’s Laundry.
Television
Immanuel owns and operates KCIB-LD TV5, where they broadcast family friendly entertainment and local Chirstian programming content.
Betty Tolleson Library
According to the website, “The motto of the Betty Tolleson Library is ‘To God Be the Glory.’” The library is staffed by Immanuel volunteers and is stocked with interests including: Bible Study, fiction, biography, marriage and family, spiritual enrichment, financial planning, sign language and creative writing.
There are hundreds of books for read aloud, beginning reading and reading for pleasure. There are also informational resources including an encyclopedia on the computer.
Immanuel Baptist Church also provides Vacation Bible School, Mother’s Day Out, mission trips and different Discipleship groups.