It was not long after the completion of the sanctuary, in October of 1990, that Brother Ernie accepted a call to another church. At that time, we had a period of interim ministers. Brother Jack Brown and his wife Lavelle ministered to the church from December 1990 until 1993. During that time a church constitution was written and other administrative needs were addressed. Our first secretary, Norma Sutton, began working to assist Brother Jack. Norma volunteered her time for several years until the church determined it could add a paid secretary position. While Brother Jack was here, Terry Smith was employed as our first non-Pastor ministerial staff member serving as education and youth minister. We had several volunteer music ministers during that time and it was often that our deacons would lead music. Times of fellowship increased, like the church softball teams that Earnie Terrell organized, bowling league, fish fry’s, and annual children’s musicals. During this period, a piece of property became available directly north of the Preschool Department. The church purchased the property for future growth. The property sat vacant for a while until an arrangement was worked out with the city to pave the property for both the church and, what was then City Hall, to use as a parking lot.
            When Brother Jack decided to return to retirement in February 1993, Steve Whitaker, Director of the John 3:16 Mission, came to serve as our interim Pastor for a three month period while the church continued to search for a Pastor. The search committee finally found a full-time Pastor in August of 1994 when Brett Allen, his wife Brenda, and their two small children came to serve the church. At the time he came, Sunday School attendance averaged around 100. Not long after Brett came, another young man, Brett Land, and his wife Sue with their two young sons joined the church. Brett Land soon started working with the youth, first as a volunteer and then became Youth Minister in 1994. Terry Smith returned to a vocational position as a teacher. Soon after Brett started working with the youth, the facilities were not adequate for youth ministry.
            The old shopping center that stood on the south corner had been vacant for a while and an arrangement was worked out to trade the existing parsonage for the shopping center. Although there seemed to be no way financially to obtain the property the church acquired the shopping center in order to provide facilities for our youth. Sue soon assumed the role of Preschool Director. Babies continued to come, and still do, and are nurtured under Sue’s leadership. Brett and Sue have worked tirelessly in their ministries to youth and children as well as always being there to support other ministries.
            Soon after Brett Land came, Scott Henderson became our first part-time paid Music Minister. Adult Christmas and Easter musicals began. The fellowship of the church and worship time was strengthened by powerful sermons and good music. Under Brett Allen’s leadership of nearly 12 years, church members grew spiritually, and most important, many people were reached for Christ, with the church receiving a high baptism award from the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Church attendance continued to grow.
            During Brett’s leadership additional property was also purchased. In 1996 the church purchased the home of Terry Duncan and converted it for our church offices. Beginning as early as the summer of 2000, the church purchased the property on Broadway Street and soon turned the old house into the music parsonage for our first full-time Music Minister, David Leu and his wife Angela, just married and graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU). The church also purchased the vacant lot where the mud bowls are held from Mr. Burris. Brett Land had already started his annual garage sales to raise money for missions and the church attendance and the ministries were steadily growing. David began to build the choir and our first drum player, Brad Girard, and Doug Reynolds on the trumpet joined the instrumental team.
            During that time the steeple also was finally put in place. Also, the church bells were added by one of the charter members in memory of her mom, also a long-time member.
            The church added the adult annex and awning which provided more adult classrooms and opened up the foyer area as the church continued to grow. The church also purchased additional property when Mr. and Mrs. Kountz passed away. Their house sat just east of the sanctuary parking lot which is now a vacant lot. Later on the church also won the bid for the property located east of the Kountz property, giving the church the whole city block, except the SE corner owned by the school. When David Leu left in 2001, Ron and Paula Baker came to lead the Music Ministry in September 2001.
            Under Ron’s leadership the Music Ministry has grown abundantly, adding drama into our great Easter pageants and children’s music for all ages. Children’s camp began. The instrumental team continues to add members, with the addition of our youth playing trombone, guitar, and flute. Our Senior Adults love the trips Ron coordinates to Branson. Ron and Paula’s love, and Ron’s hospital visits and ministry to the sick and shut-ins are also key ministries for our church. When Brett and Brenda Allen left in May of 2005, we lost a great Pastor and friend.
            That’s the hard part, when the Lord’s plan is to move our leaders to new areas of ministries… but the Lord always knows best and always has a plan. Our deacons and guest ministers served while our search committee would spend over six months searching for the man of God to lead our church. The committee traveled all the way to Louisiana to find the right man…a wonderful young man, Steven McAbee with his lovely wife Tammie and four beautiful daughters. How long did it take for the congregation to fall in love with this great family? Not long! Soon after their arrival, a new enthusiasm flourished and the congregation continued to grow. New ministries began, like Awana, L.I.F.E. University, and Summer Musical Activity Camp for Kids, also known as SMAK.
            In the Fall of 2006, the church voted to acquire the school lot east of the church. Today, the most recent acquisition of property being held for the church’s use is the Marler home at the NE corner of the sanctuary. Andy was a deacon for many years. Another point of history is that Andy’s father-in-law, Ray Haynes, was a charter member of our church and we are told was the organizer for raising funds to build the first sanctuary.
            Sixty years after the Martindale’s took the first step to form FBC Glenpool, we are facing another milestone in the life of our church. Many people have been used by the Lord to build the church, both the physical facilities and, most importantly, spiritually. The important thing for each of us is to be ready to be used by God. Just as Ray Haynes took the initiative to raise the money for the first building, others laid the blocks for a building expansion, others made calls to get property, others donated money, many volunteered their time after work hours and weekends to complete the buildings, many have taught Sunday School, cared for babies and children, witnessed to sinners, ministered to seniors…and the list goes on.
            It is a blessing to look back and see how God has worked in the life of our church and even more exciting to think about what He has in store for us. It is the time to A.C.T. (Available…Community…Together). It is time to seek God’s will as we determine what each of our purpose is in the grand plan He has for our church.

1111111Editor’s note: Since the writing of this history the church has acquired the portion of property mentioned above that was owned by the school, giving the church ownership of all but one plot in two complete city blocks. After being used mightily by the Lord in Glenpool, Steven McAbee was called to a church in Magnolia, Arkansas in the Spring of 2009, and Dr. Charles Cruce stepped in as Transitional Pastor in March, 2010. Our current Pastor, Jason Yarbrough, came to First Baptist in August, 2001. Ron Baker (Music Minister) and Brett Land (Youth Minister) have both left the church, and are serving the Lord elsewhere. Jason Jackson now leads the Youth Ministry, and Clark Matthews is a transitional Music Minister.