About UCBT

 

UNION CITY BAPTIST TEMPLE was started by Pastor Larry Bruce in 1970. After much prayer for God’s leadership and direction, the Bruce’s made a trip to Union City over the Thanksgiving holidays in 1969 to see if this was the place of His direction. Here they met Bro. and Mrs. John Yost who had been praying for years that God would send a man to Union City to start an Independent Baptist Church. The Bruce’s showed us at the home of John and Ola Yost on Thanksgiving Day of 1969. When Bro. Bruce introduced himself and told Bro. Yost why they were here, Bro. Yost yelled, “Ola, come quickly, God has answered our prayers!” Over the next couple of days diligent search was made for a home to live and start the work in. The housing market was extremely limited at that time because of the recent arrival of Goodyear. Through God’s direction and the personal sacrifice of the Yost family, a home was secured at 1338 Sunswept Drive.

 

The Bruce’s would move over the Christmas holidays and a “Kickoff” Revival was held at the National Guard Armory on January 5-9, 1970. The first official service was on January 11, 1970. Many miracles began to take place in the life of this infant congregation. Folks began to be reached, souls saved and growing, land was prayed for and acquired and construction plans began. The UNION CITY BAPTIST TEMPLE was officially organized on MAY 24TH, 1970!!

 

Over the next several months the property on Longview Road was purchased and prepared and the first building built. The first building was under use by December of 1970. “What a year of God’s blessings!” Soon the auditorium was enlarged and an Educational Wing built to house Sunday School (1972). The work of John & Ola Yost, Ray & Kaye Brinson (Asst. Pastor), Fred & Carolyn Dickerson, and Jim Kelly was particularly important during the first year of the ministry of BAPTIST TEMPLE. Pastor Bruce would return to Texas in August of 1974.

 

The men who have served as Pastor of UNION CITY BAPTIST TEMPLE:

 

Larry Bruce1970-1974

William (Bill) Taylor1974-1978

Mike Wentzel1979-1988

Steven Miller1989-1993

Fred Ward1993

Mike Wells1994-1998

Chris Gouger1998-2011

Ed Decker2012-2015

Tony Keeton2015-Present

 

Why don’t you come and be a part of our future? You will find a warm welcome, a family atmosphere, a place to serve God and others, and a place you can call “home”. God has been and is so good to us. Come share His blessings with us!