How it all started...
First Baptist Church of McGehee was founded in 1903, when a small group of faithful believers came together with a vision to establish a place of worship and ministry in the growing community of McGehee, Arkansas. From the very beginning, the church was committed to worship, discipleship, and service.
Expanding the vision...
Over time, God blessed the church with growth and new opportunities. In 1976, construction began on the present sanctuary and fellowship hall. The first service was held on December 18, 1977, with a program of Christmas music led by Bro. Donald J. Hilton, Minister of Music and Youth. The buildings were dedicated on August 6, 1978, and by February 1988 the debt was completely paid off.
Faithful leaders were called through the years:
1956–1959 – Bro. Holley, Minister of Education
1966–1970 – Bro. Fred Helms, Minister of Music and Youth
1973–1975 – Bro. Ron Marcum, Minister of Music and Youth
1981 – Bro. Duane Chapel, first Summer Youth Director
Rev. Craig served faithfully for 28 years and 8 months, retiring at the end of 1987. In 1988, Dr. Kerry Powell became pastor. That same year, Bro. Gregg Watson was called as full-time Minister of Youth, followed in 1989 by Bro. Carl Fondren as Minister of Youth and Education.
In 1990, the church voted to build a Christian family life center. With a generous $250,000 gift from Mr. Frank D. Hickingbotham and matching funds from the church, the Hickingbotham Christian Family Life Center was built and dedicated on February 16, 1992.
More seasons of leadership followed:
1995 – Bro. Robbie Isom, Minister of Education and Youth
1997 – Dr. Tommy Cunningham, pastor
2001 – Rev. Rick Miller, Minister of Music
2007 – Dr. Ed Balducci, pastor
2009 – Chris Bass, Minister of Youth
Chris Bass built a strong youth program before leaving in 2014.
In 2015, Michael Decker became Youth Pastor, serving until 2023—one of the longest youth pastor tenures in FBC history.
Dr. Ed resigned in 2018, and in 2019, Rev. David Brown was called as pastor.
Like many churches, FBC faced a difficult season during COVID-19 in 2020, with services paused and worship streamed from homes. Yet God brought the congregation back together in worship.
In October 2022, Rev. Rick Miller concluded his service as Associate Pastor of Music. Since then, Colby Linn and Tabor McGraw have faithfully stepped up to lead worship each Sunday and for every other service the church holds.
In February 2023, Michael Decker resigned, and Bro. Mike Ratledge was called to serve as Youth Pastor, in January of 2024. One year later, in August 2025, Rev. David Brown retired after 45 years of full-time ministry, six of those at First Baptist.
Faithful leaders were called through the years:
1956–1959 – Bro. Holley, Minister of Education
1966–1970 – Bro. Fred Helms, Minister of Music and Youth
1973–1975 – Bro. Ron Marcum, Minister of Music and Youth
1981 – Bro. Duane Chapel, first Summer Youth Director
Rev. Craig served faithfully for 28 years and 8 months, retiring at the end of 1987. In 1988, Dr. Kerry Powell became pastor. That same year, Bro. Gregg Watson was called as full-time Minister of Youth, followed in 1989 by Bro. Carl Fondren as Minister of Youth and Education.
In 1990, the church voted to build a Christian family life center. With a generous $250,000 gift from Mr. Frank D. Hickingbotham and matching funds from the church, the Hickingbotham Christian Family Life Center was built and dedicated on February 16, 1992.
More seasons of leadership followed:
1995 – Bro. Robbie Isom, Minister of Education and Youth
1997 – Dr. Tommy Cunningham, pastor
2001 – Rev. Rick Miller, Minister of Music
2007 – Dr. Ed Balducci, pastor
2009 – Chris Bass, Minister of Youth
Chris Bass built a strong youth program before leaving in 2014.
In 2015, Michael Decker became Youth Pastor, serving until 2023—one of the longest youth pastor tenures in FBC history.
Dr. Ed resigned in 2018, and in 2019, Rev. David Brown was called as pastor.
Like many churches, FBC faced a difficult season during COVID-19 in 2020, with services paused and worship streamed from homes. Yet God brought the congregation back together in worship.
In October 2022, Rev. Rick Miller concluded his service as Associate Pastor of Music. Since then, Colby Linn and Tabor McGraw have faithfully stepped up to lead worship each Sunday and for every other service the church holds.
In February 2023, Michael Decker resigned, and Bro. Mike Ratledge was called to serve as Youth Pastor, in January of 2024. One year later, in August 2025, Rev. David Brown retired after 45 years of full-time ministry, six of those at First Baptist.
Where we are headed...
From its founding in 1903 to today, First Baptist Church of McGehee has walked through seasons of growth, transition, challenge, and blessing. Each generation has built on the faith of the one before it, and God has remained faithful in every season.
Looking ahead, we trust in God’s promise:
“God holds the future of First Baptist Church of McGehee in His hands and only He knows what is ahead. He will enable us to meet any need and will bless us according to our faith.”
Looking ahead, we trust in God’s promise:
“God holds the future of First Baptist Church of McGehee in His hands and only He knows what is ahead. He will enable us to meet any need and will bless us according to our faith.”
