1995-Present
Judson Community Baptist Church
Judson, Texas TX
Following a vision from God in 1995 Dr. Keith Rothra, pastor in Marshall, TX, and church planter for the Gregg Baptist Association inherited a defunct church building with a piano, some hymnals, and a worship center with 14 pews. Formerly the Hunter’s Creek Baptist Church, a mission started by Calvary Baptist in Longview, TX, the congregation had begun in 1988 but was unsuccessful in penetrating the Hunter’s Creek Community. The building sat vacant for 2 and a half years when Dr. Rothra resigned his church in Marshall accepting the call to begin Judson Community Baptist Church in the abandoned facilities.
Named for the community that was named for Adoniram Judson, Dr. Rothra began on December 3, 1995, as pastor of the Judson Community Baptist Church and has remained its pastor since the founding. The congregation was originally supported by Southern Baptist resources through the East Mountain Baptist Church (formerly Judson Road Baptist Church), however, they declared their viability in January 2000 and has operated as a self-sustaining church ever since. In December of that year, the congregation opened a second building 40’ by 50’ which contains a fellowship hall, kitchen and 4 classrooms. In 2005 JCBC added its own baptistry and storage area to the original Hunter’s Creek building.
In the short history of this small congregation at JCBC, the congregation has seen nine members surrender to ministry [that] have been licensed and eight ordained. They have moved on to other ministry leading congregations or performing in another ministry.
The congregation has helped several visitors to overcome addictions and seen successful recoveries…. JCBC is also involved in a foreign ministry in Pakistan and holds Bible studies and music ministries in other locations.
Adoniram Judson would have great joy from the seeds he planted in East Texas. Two churches and the community are named for him and the kingdom of God is growing.[1]
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[1] Keith Rothra, The History of Judson Community Baptist Church, unpublished manuscript available from the author, p. 3.