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In October of 1954, a small group of people began meeting in the home of Brother and Mrs. Robert L. Smith. For a period of of five to six weeks this group met faithfully and prayerfully about organizing themselves into a Southern Baptist Church. Chairs were borrowed from a local funeral home.
At 3:00pm November 28, 1954 at a meeting held at Calvary Baptist Church. Brother Leo Rudd, then Associational Missionary, served as moderator and recognized 62 charter members. Brother G.H. Bailey was called as pastor. Shortly after its organization, New Life Baptist Church rented property at 2212 West Erwin and began to hold services. 1955 was the year that the church put down permanent roots. It was that year that property was purchased at 3300 Copeland Road, property which held a log cabin which, after being renovated, served as the church's meeting place.
In September 1956 the first unit of the existing church plant was added and with that addition the name was changed to Southern Oaks Baptist Church.
Rev. Bill Moore became the second pastor in July of 1957, a position he held until 1967. During Rev. Moore's tenure, a new educational wing was added to house and expanded Sunday School.
After Rev. Moore's departure, the church called the Rev. Pat Cummins as Pastor. Slightly over two years after his arrival on the field in 1967, the church dedicated a new sanctuary and educational wing. They are the existing sanctuary and educational space. Under Brother Cummins' leadership the church added nearly four hundred members.
After the departure of Rev. Cummins in 1971, the church called Dr. R.S. Crawford as its pastor. Dr. Crawford led the church to build a Family Life Center just across Amherst Street from the main church facility. The Family Life Center was dedicated in June of 1978. Dr. Crawford retired as pastor in 1980, and shortly thereafter the church called the Rev. Bill Rambo to be it's fifth pastor. Brother Rambo's tenure at Southern Oaks continued to mark growth and progress. Brother Rambo remained as pastor until 1982.
In June of 1982, Rev. Don Emmitte was extended a call as pastor. By the end of Rev. Emmitte's ministry in 1988, Southern Oaks had grown to a membership of over 1000 people. In 1987, the Southern Oaks Baptist Church Men's Church League Softball Team won the World Championship. Brother Emmitte remained as pastor until mid 1988.
In January of 1989, Rev. Paul Saylors moved from the staff of East Texas Baptist University to become the seventh pastor of Southern Oaks. In April of 1989, the Youth Building was completed and dedicated. Several other projects, including the beginning phases of renovating the sanctuary, were also completed in 1989 and 1990.
The renovation of the sanctuary was completed in 1991. In 1994, work was begun on the Adult Education building, which was completed and dedicated in May of that year.
Randy Potter became the eighth pastor of Southern Oaks in January of 1997. Under his leadership the church launched its first ever Mission church called Trinity West Baptist Church. Mission activity burned brighter than ever and the church built churches and orphanage in Mexico.
In 2003 theChildren's Education Wing became the newest buiding costing 1.6 million dollars. What a blessing since the log cabin days.
A completely new look now graces the interior and exterior of the church. The First sanctuary was left standing and can be seen as part of the new building. The logo containing the words "A Great Heritage- A Great Future" was adopted. October 10, 2004 marked the church's 50th anniversary.
Over the years so much has changed at Southern Oaks, but one thing has not: There remains a desire to reach out to people with the gospel of Jesus Christ, At the heart of every activity is the need for spreading the gospel.
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