Our History
A Vision of Sharing the Gospel
With a vision to reach the growing area of the then-southernmost ends of Fort Worth, Stuart Drive Baptist Church was organized in February 1949. On January 28, 1953, the church voted to change its name to Southwayside Baptist Church and placed a sign bearing that name on the corner of Vermont Avenue and Thornhill Drive in the Southwayside Neighborhood Addition. In April 1953, the church purchased a large tent for $700 to begin services. The first service was held in the tent in May, 1953, with Pastor Gilbert Wilson.
In September 1954, after calling a Southwestern Seminary student, Bill Warren, as Pastor, the congregation continued to grow. In October 1958, “Bro. Bill” resigned to serve as a missionary in Brazil. In May 1961, the church called a pastor, Bruce Cushman, who was just graduating from the seminary. During his tenure, the church experienced tremendous growth. A new building program to expand the sanctuary and education space was begun, and a dedication ceremony and homecoming were held in October 1963. This project gave the church campus much of the look it has to this day.
“. . . make disciples of all nations . . .”
In April 1967, Dr. Doug Laird was called as Pastor. During his ministry, the church made significant strides, especially in the area of finances during his ministry. In April 1971, Bill Warren returned as Pastor a second time it which time the present Fellowship Hall was constructed. In 1975, a house directly across the street from the church was purchased for additional educational space. The church reached its membership zenith during these days with over 600 regularly attending Sunday services. During these years, Southwayside garnered a well-earned reputation as a very loving congregation where anyone could feel welcomed, loved, and embraced. Through its proximity to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southwayside church families formed abiding ties with a multitude of seminary students including a singles ministry where the single seminary students were given families. Countless students served faithfully here during their time of study at the seminary.
In April 1977, the church began an outreach mission, Parkridge Baptist Church, in the new and rapidly expanding southwest area of Fort Worth. Southwayside member Brad Jones left to become the Pastor of the mission. The first service in its new building was held on October 1, 1978. In December 1979, Bill Warren resigned to serve as Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Idaho Falls, Idaho. During the 1980s, Dr. Tom Robuck and Dr. Wayne Blackshear served as Pastors, but each had all too brief three-year tenures. Dr. Robert J. Beck was called in 1988. During his ten years as Pastor, he enjoyed a close association with Southwestern Seminary and enjoyed extending his teaching influence by mentoring students as church staff interns. The church greatly benefitted from his administrative expertise.
Iglesia Bautista Southwayside
In April 1999, during a transition period of changing demographics, Dr. Alvin Southerland became Pastor. In 2003, as the church observed its 50th anniversary, a group from Templo Bautista Emanuel felt led to leave and join Southwayside, forming a blended congregation. The church began two worship services, one in English and one in Spanish. Gabe Cortes was the first Associate Pastor to Hispanic members. In 2004, Gabe joined the staff of the University of the Americas in San Antonio. Ruben Martinez succeeded him as Associate Pastor. Then, in May 2009, Pastor Southerland left to pastor a church in Georgia, and Bro. Ruben began serving as Senior Pastor.
In 2009???, Rafael Rondon was named Associate Pastor to give special attention to the English-speaking group. Mike Marshall followed him and served until 2013 when Dr. Ebbie Smith, Southwestern professor and former missionary to Indonesia, was called as the Associate Pastor to help with the English worship services and ministry. In 2021, Dr. Bill Goff, a former missionary to Venezuela and a Southwestern professor, began serving as Associate Pastor.
Mike Houston, Minister of Music, faithfully leads the English group in a more traditional–hymn-singing service. Tito Cotto heads up a Praise Team for the Hispanic group with a more contemporary music flavor.
Still Mission-Minded
For many years, the church partnered with Mission Fort Worth, which used the church’s “house across the street” as a medical clinic, especially serving those in the community with diabetic needs. Most recently, the house–now called Casa de la Mision Southwayside–opens on the first Saturday of each month from 10-2. The church provides food and clothing for local residents and the homeless in the area. A substantial response has ensued from the community, opening doors for ministry and witness.