In 1950, a young man named Bob Stewart was called to the ministry in a little Baptist church in Pampa, Texas. He thought the Lord had made a mistake by calling him into the ministry because of his shyness around people, but he soon realized that God was calling him. In January of 1951 the young man enrolled into the Baptist Bible Seminary and three years later graduated. Not knowing what the Lord had planned, he found his way to Amarillo, Texas and worked in Hamlet Baptist Church.
In January of 1956, he and his wife went on a two day scouting trip to El Paso, Texas. The Lord had laid it on his heart to start a church there, but he did not want to go. Again, he thought that the Lord had made a mistake by calling him there. He finally gave into the Lord’s will and decided to go.
He and his wife moved to El Paso on February 1, 1956 and the next day moved into their new home. On February 12, fourteen people attended the first service held in their small living room. The services continued in the house until August of that year. During this time Pastor Stewart would knock on doors and tell anyone who would listen about God and the church.
During the months in the house, the church was organized and established. On the night the church was organized, two were saved, and the church began to grow. It took the small congregation seven months to obtain a loan from the Chavez County Savings and Loan.
Brother Lee Green, a businessman in Roswell, helped the church in the loan process. The loan was for an acre of land in northeast El Paso, upon which was built a 30 foot by 60 foot building. This was done with the help of sixteen charter members. Pastor Bob Stewart had officially started what is now known as the Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Bro. Stewart went home to be with His Lord on Sunday, February 12, 2017.
In January of 1956, he and his wife went on a two day scouting trip to El Paso, Texas. The Lord had laid it on his heart to start a church there, but he did not want to go. Again, he thought that the Lord had made a mistake by calling him there. He finally gave into the Lord’s will and decided to go.
He and his wife moved to El Paso on February 1, 1956 and the next day moved into their new home. On February 12, fourteen people attended the first service held in their small living room. The services continued in the house until August of that year. During this time Pastor Stewart would knock on doors and tell anyone who would listen about God and the church.
During the months in the house, the church was organized and established. On the night the church was organized, two were saved, and the church began to grow. It took the small congregation seven months to obtain a loan from the Chavez County Savings and Loan.
Brother Lee Green, a businessman in Roswell, helped the church in the loan process. The loan was for an acre of land in northeast El Paso, upon which was built a 30 foot by 60 foot building. This was done with the help of sixteen charter members. Pastor Bob Stewart had officially started what is now known as the Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Bro. Stewart went home to be with His Lord on Sunday, February 12, 2017.