Oxford’s Meadowbrook Church celebrates 50 years

Meadowbrook Baptist Church, Oxford, in Calhoun Baptist Association celebrated its 50th anniversary April 18 with a special service, lunch and an Afternoon of Remembrance. Dale Huff of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions delivered the sermon; former pastors Don Phillips, Charles B. Stroud and James Paul Hunter were honored; and former staff members shared stories of the ways the church had played a roll in their later ministries.

Started as a mission of First Baptist Church, Oxford, in 1957, the church was constituted as Meadowbrook Baptist on April 24, 1960. Since that time, Meadowbrook has added a kindergarten ministry, an educational facility and an “Abundant Life Center,” complete with educational and day-care facilities.

“I think the way to grow a church is to find needs and meet those needs,” said Gary W. Rivers, who has served as pastor for nearly 11 years.

So Meadowbrook is in the process of launching a Celebrate Recovery program and planning summer missions trips.

“[Meadowbrook] is a wonderful group of Christlike, friendly folks who are real missions-minded people and make people feel welcome and wanted,” Rivers said. “I think those are the things that go into the makings of a growing church.”